Following a surprise coalition victory in the 2019 Federal election, the downturn being experienced within the building industry seemed to be short-lived. Confidence was back in the public and private sector, and the government and industry were looking forward to continued growth and investment. Fast forward less than a year, and not only was the Australian economy, industry, and society in a downward spiral, but so was the rest of the world thanks to Covid-19.

The current environment remains volatile with pandemic-related restrictions and uncertainty. For CBG, the safety of our clients, business partners, staff and families has been and remains our first priority. In saying this, we have been fortunate enough to continue operating business as usual while implementing precautionary measures. During this time, a series of projects have progressed demonstrating the quality of our architectural services and our strong partnership with our clients.

All buildings, whether a small residential extension, or multi-level mixed use complex will have varying degrees of defects throughout the construction process. Typical construction contracts include time provisions and processes to allow for rectification of these defects. Additionally, mandatory warranty periods provide further confidence to the end-user should any defects arise post the contract period.

Historically the Architect has had many roles. They were responsible for the exterior and interior design of a building, they were the urban designer and planner, the engineer, the project manager, the supervisor, and at times even the builder. As skills developed and construction became more complex it was inevitable that the tasks originally performed by the Architect would become more specialised.

Value management, as described in the Australian Standard for Value Management (AS 4183:2007) is "intended to nurture learning, collaboration and understanding about value factors, current proposals and the context within which an entity is being considered so that stake holder groups can work collaboratively in developing alternative ways to achieve best value and value for money".

Post the Grenfell tragedy in the UK, the wake-up call of Lacrosse Apartments in Melbourne’s Docklands, and the averted disasters of the Opal Tower Apartments and Mascot Towers in Sydney, there is a growing call for assurance that new construction is completed properly and safely. This expectation begins in the early feasibility stages of a project and requires strong adherence and supervision to standards and processes to ensure its deliverance.

We experienced market movement, uncertainty and a market correction over the last 12 to 18 months. Currently, we are seeing positive effects post the RBA’s interest rate cuts and the continuation of the coalition government. Even with all the movements, our projects continued. Construction was completed for a couple of our key projects with others starting or progressing into the next stages over the last 6 – 12 months.

CBG Architects in collaboration with JAC Group have achieved a landmark planning council decision with overwhelming support for the new high-end hotel in Launceston. In September 2017 CBG Architects won the design competition for JAC group’s $50-million Launceston Hotel. Since winning the competition CBG has been working very closely with the JAC group, CPD and GHD planning to prepare a comprehensive and well considered development application.

Residential downturn is showing signs of being short-lived with the expectation of reaching bottom earlier than previously speculated, with some forecasting as early as the end of 2019/2020. Following unexpected coalition victory in the national election and the first official RBA rate move since late 2016, CBG has seen an immediate return of positivity and confidence created through stability within the industry

With some minor corrections and downturns along the way, the Australian (and in particular Melbourne) residential property and development market has seen unprecedented growth over the past couple of decades. CBG, similarly like many Melbourne Architectural firms, are facing the dynamics of the current changes.

CBG in collaboration with Crema Group and Fender Katsalidis have designed the recently completed interiors for Derby Place, Kew. Featuring 77 residences, interiors have been carefully considered, offering a range of premium 1, 2 and 3 bedroom, each contemporary in style and timeless elegancy throughout.

In 2017 CBG purchased a warehouse in South Melbourne, stripped it to its skeleton which provided a strong base to create the new studio workspace reflecting the holistic approach of our Architecture and Interior Design team influenced by more than 40 years of insight and experience. With an optimised gallery style entry, floor to ceiling windows and flexible room layouts, our studio is the most important project to consolidate and highlight our brand and showcase our abilities, values and philosophies to present and prospective clients.

Oaklands Court is a standalone design statement expressing personality of its context. Visually impressive, versatile, low-maintenance with a custom-built home for a growing family. Decorative and functional, a subtle angled entry is followed by a dramatic upside-down staircase in the lobby.

The proposed award winning Gorge Hotel in Launceston, has been designed to be an iconic building that will provide a connection between the Launceston CBD and the surrounding natural beauty of greater Launceston. Town planning for the 4.5 to 5 stars hotel has now been submitted.

Within the fabric of the Urban Renewal proposed for Elsternwick and where the biggest development and growth is directed, you will find the new proposal by CBG that will play a significant role in the transition of this area.

In the early 2000’s, it began as a design for a commercial building on a busy Cheltenham corner. Now, The Village illustrates the changing face of Melbourne’s development and construction industry over the last 15 to 20 years. Commercial projects have morphed into residential projects as Melbourne’s popularity and population continues to grow.

In the centre of the popular growing bayside suburb of Mordialloc you will find a new development – The Verge which offers 44 premium townhouses across six blocks. With the area becoming increasingly popular with young families with the number of parks and playgrounds within walking distance, careful consideration has been given to both the building form and interior layout and design.

CBG Architects are proud to announce construction of Stage 1- Eastern Building for Pavilion Green has commenced. Stage 1 construction has started with the basement and excavation which is set to be completed early 2019, with the upper levels to continue thereafter. Stage 2 and 3 of Pavilion Green will go to market mid-2019.

How time flies! At CBG Architects we are pleased to say that it’s been a year since we moved into our larger new creative workspace in South Melbourne.

As part of CBG Architects ongoing success and re-envisioning, we are delighted and proud to announce the appointment of Ben Bahramis and Michael McDermott to Associates.

We are excited to announce that one of our favourite past projects, Krassaris House, has recently featured in a number of media articles.

Architecture and design are many things. They are forms that evoke emotions and answer different needs for each individual. It is more than design, lines and shapes.

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