Designs on city centre

By John Van Klaveren
CONTROVERSIAL British architect Will Alsop will join leading designers and planners in a two-day workshop on Central Geelong, according to its organiser.
Deakin University head of architecture Prof Hisham Elkadi said the workshop was part of a Vision II project to revitalise the city centre.
Prof Elkadi, a Vision II project director and Icon for Geelong competition judge, said the workshop was a first for the city.
“We will be bringing in international and Australian experts in architecture, urban design, planning and sociology,” Prof Elkadi said.
“Most of the big practices in Victoria will be represented and they have all agreed to come for a day to support the project.
“Having so many top architects in one place for one day has never happened before, so it shows a high level of commitment.”
Mr Alsop has applied his modernist, avant-garde architecture to several distinctive and controversial buildings featuring bright colours and unusual forms. His design for the London’s Peckham Library won the UK’s most prestigious architecture award, the Stirling Prize, in 2000.
Mr Alsop, who has held a number of academic posts, believes in a strong connection between art and architecture. His paintings and sketches have been exhibited alongside his architectural projects in dedicated exhibitions.
The international principal of global architectural firm RMJM also sits on several design and advisory boards, including a Yorkshire Forward Urban Renaissance Panel.
Prof Elkadi said the workshop aimed to create a vision for Central Geelong to “revive the city and knit it together again”.
“This is part of a continuous program.”
Prof Elkadi said a gallery space would be set aside at Deakin’s Waterfront campus to exhibit ideas and concepts from the workshop.
“This will be a permanent gallery for Vision II so the public can look at the work and provide feedback.”
Prof Elkadi said Mr Alsop would also deliver a public lecture.
State Government’s Department of Planning and Community Develop-ment has funded the Vision II with Committee for Geelong, council and Deakin University as partners.