Masterful Restoration of a classic Victorian terrace
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This Restoration
beautifully shows a deep understanding of the structure and materials with the original methods of construction. |
David Aitken Design Plan view Victorian terrace
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Victorian Terrace Conversion
Architecture & Design
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SMH Victorian Terrace renovation Alexandria, Sydney.
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Expertise & Experience
David Aitken is an ex-Theatre Designer, retired architect, Urban Designer and Planner. David established himself as a registered practising architect, working both for individual clients and as a subcontract architect for various firms including apartment and single housing designs for the Department of Housing.
In 1994, David enrolled in the Masters in Urban Design course at the University of Sydney and completed all the design components of the Design Studio. David also worked as a Planner for a number of years before retirement with Ku-ring-gai, Waverley and, finally, Leichhardt Councils. He also designed and built his own home in Alexandria, Sydney, converting a single storey terrace to three storeys. (Link to Alexandria Terrace House). David recently designed and built a beautiful holiday cabin on a five acre grassy woodlands block on the NSW Far South Coast. |
This website shows some of David’s works from his earlier theatre designs to his
more recent architectural and urban designs.
more recent architectural and urban designs.
Urban Design
Sydney Hi-Line
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Circular Quay Ideas Competition 1993
Sponsored by City of Sydney. Together with fellow architect, Dr Anna Rubbo, and Viennese Architect Kurt Sattler, we proposed a concept design for Circular Quay that centered on a repurposed Cahill Expressway as a NEW ELEVATED AXIS that pedestrian and cycle linked Macquarie Street with Observatory Hill, and preempted the New York High-line by many years. (Link to Cahill Expressway photos & SMH article). |
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Waverly Sea Bridge
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A Sea Bridge that enhances the Coastal Walk and side steps the historic Waverley Cemetery. Together with former Waverley Greens Councillor and Mayor, Mora Main, David developed a concept design for an alternative cycle and walkway that avoided the existing route that sliced detrimentally
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thru the frontage of the historic Waverley Cemetery. Maunsell Aust Pty Limited kindly provided some preliminary structural and costings advice, based on their expertise as lead designer for the Sea Cliff Bridge at Stanwell Park. Suspended above the waves and parallel to the cliff face, the serpentine geometry of the project would have created a lowered central section to maintain unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean so important to the spirit of the cemetery.
Although the project was enthusiastically applauded by many in the community, the Arts and Tourism Sectors, the project failed to get any development funding from the Council or State Institutions.
Although the project was enthusiastically applauded by many in the community, the Arts and Tourism Sectors, the project failed to get any development funding from the Council or State Institutions.
Cockatoo Island Bridge
Following a Cockatoo Island Trust Development forum, David, along with other participants, expressed concern over the Island’s physical isolation and working solo, David proposed a new pedestrian/cycle bridge to link Balmain-Rozelle township with the ‘new cultural centre proposed for the island (Refer to Walking on Water article).
Regarding the proposal David met up with Tom Uren in his beautiful Rick Leplastrier designed sanctuary. The long serving former Labor Federal Member was Minister for Urban and Regional Development in the Whitlam government from 1972 to 1975. He established the Australian Heritage Commission and consequent compilation of the Register of the National Estate. In Sydney, Uren promoted the restoration and re-use of derelict inner city areas such as the Glebe Estate and Woolloomooloo, the reclamation of Duck Creek and the creation of the Chipping Norton Lakes Scheme. [10] He was a key player in the creation of the Towra Point Nature Reserve. Tom was highly supportive of the Bridge project and having grown up and living again in Balmain, Tom thought that the proposed location of the crossing at the end of Punch Street was historically and ‘community’ appropriate.
Regarding the proposal David met up with Tom Uren in his beautiful Rick Leplastrier designed sanctuary. The long serving former Labor Federal Member was Minister for Urban and Regional Development in the Whitlam government from 1972 to 1975. He established the Australian Heritage Commission and consequent compilation of the Register of the National Estate. In Sydney, Uren promoted the restoration and re-use of derelict inner city areas such as the Glebe Estate and Woolloomooloo, the reclamation of Duck Creek and the creation of the Chipping Norton Lakes Scheme. [10] He was a key player in the creation of the Towra Point Nature Reserve. Tom was highly supportive of the Bridge project and having grown up and living again in Balmain, Tom thought that the proposed location of the crossing at the end of Punch Street was historically and ‘community’ appropriate.
Reconnecting Sydney
In further developing the Cockatoo Island Bridge Project, the Exhibition and Talk The Connecting Cockatoo Project as part of the Sydney Architecture Festival 2012.
The event conceived and organised by David and Richard Dinham was co-sponsored by the Australian Institute of Architects, the College of Fine Arts and provided an exhibition and panel discussion on making good use of Cockatoo Island and new ways to get there. Special thanks go Professor Richard Goodwin and his students from College of Fine Arts (COFA) who provided works of art that explored the meaning and significance of Cockatoo Island (Refer to Cockatoo link) We are in debited to the following people who gave such lively and intelligent talks; Matt Pullinger, President AIA (NSW); Liz Williamson, Head, School of Design Studies, College of Fine Arts; Jamie Parker, Member of State Parliment; Prof. Richard Goodwin, College of Fine Arts, UNSW; Peter McCue Premier's Council for Active Living NSW; David Holm, Director, Cox Richardson Architects. ARUP Design
The event conceived and organised by David and Richard Dinham was co-sponsored by the Australian Institute of Architects, the College of Fine Arts and provided an exhibition and panel discussion on making good use of Cockatoo Island and new ways to get there. Special thanks go Professor Richard Goodwin and his students from College of Fine Arts (COFA) who provided works of art that explored the meaning and significance of Cockatoo Island (Refer to Cockatoo link) We are in debited to the following people who gave such lively and intelligent talks; Matt Pullinger, President AIA (NSW); Liz Williamson, Head, School of Design Studies, College of Fine Arts; Jamie Parker, Member of State Parliment; Prof. Richard Goodwin, College of Fine Arts, UNSW; Peter McCue Premier's Council for Active Living NSW; David Holm, Director, Cox Richardson Architects. ARUP Design
Residential Design
Project Description; Lawrence Street Alexandria
The project consisted of a two storey addition and renovations to a single storey late Victorian terrace, providing a house for a couple or small family plus studio.
In my scheme, the extensions form a light tower, which rises with suspended stairs, out of the main section of the house. The light tower catches the south eastern and north western skies. In the first floor bedroom there are deep French windows with external blinds, instead of a period roofed-in balcony. In the adjoining bathroom beautiful timber casement windows allow for views and filtered light to flood in.
In my scheme, the extensions form a light tower, which rises with suspended stairs, out of the main section of the house. The light tower catches the south eastern and north western skies. In the first floor bedroom there are deep French windows with external blinds, instead of a period roofed-in balcony. In the adjoining bathroom beautiful timber casement windows allow for views and filtered light to flood in.
Moving to Higher Density Housing
In 1992, David returned to Vienna to research medium to high density housing and also began a design for the conversion of an attic roof space in a nineteenth century building for artist studios/apartments for a artist friend. While there, he also worked with the Finnish/Austrian architect, Pekka Janhunen, in an architectural competition for the new Austrian Cultural Centre in New York.
Back in Sydney, David spent the next 10 months co-organising the launching of Home - A Place in the Urban Environment. This project, an initiative begun by David together with Architecture Lecturer and Design Tutor, Dr Anna Rubbo, became a joint effort between the Architectural Faculties of Sydney University, University of NSW and University of Technology, Sydney. The project consisted of: the exhibition, New Housing in Vienna;, a two-day housing forum, Home a Place in the Urban Environment; and the National Ideas Design Competition,The Next Step.
Back in Sydney, David spent the next 10 months co-organising the launching of Home - A Place in the Urban Environment. This project, an initiative begun by David together with Architecture Lecturer and Design Tutor, Dr Anna Rubbo, became a joint effort between the Architectural Faculties of Sydney University, University of NSW and University of Technology, Sydney. The project consisted of: the exhibition, New Housing in Vienna;, a two-day housing forum, Home a Place in the Urban Environment; and the National Ideas Design Competition,The Next Step.
Theatre Design
Academie Fine Arts Vienna
His unconventional and imaginative stage concept for Shakespeare’s bloodthirsty tragedy, “Macbeth”, which earned the Australian-born and Vienna emigrant Aitken, his Diplom from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, was also awarded the 10,000-Schilling Professor’s Prize in the early summer. Whether his bold concept will ever make it to traditional theatre remains dubious. It has been years since a serious director from within the German-speaking theatre scene has taken on Shakespeare’s bloody show of force.
Der Jasager - Der Neinsage
Der Jasager - Der Neinsage (He who said Yes, He who has said No) by Bertolt Brecht
was directed by George Tabori for the Staats Theater Kassel, 1980/81.
Experiment and variations
For the real matter is not consumed in its purpose, but rather in its realisation; neither is the result in and of itself the true whole, but rather result combined with the process that led to it.
Hegel – Purpose, Results and the Philosophical Essence
Image of wartime – 20 years before Schindler
by Tony Horler.
Thomas Keneally is beginning to look not so much a hot property as the only show in town.
Barely stopping for breath after the international success of Schindler!s Ark, the author has adapted his earlier novel Gossip From the Forest into a play, which will be world premiered by the Sydney Theatre Company at the Opera House on Thursday.
His search through the ashes of Europe takes us back more than 20 years before Schindler. Back to a misty railway siding in a forest near Compiegne, France, where the men come to sign the Armistice to end the war to end all wars.
Thomas Keneally is beginning to look not so much a hot property as the only show in town.
Barely stopping for breath after the international success of Schindler!s Ark, the author has adapted his earlier novel Gossip From the Forest into a play, which will be world premiered by the Sydney Theatre Company at the Opera House on Thursday.
His search through the ashes of Europe takes us back more than 20 years before Schindler. Back to a misty railway siding in a forest near Compiegne, France, where the men come to sign the Armistice to end the war to end all wars.
Knollen & Citroenen
Touring Theatre Groningen Netherlands
Knollen & Citroenen or chalk for cheese was work-shopped in Groningen and toured Friesland in the 1979 to 1980 season. It was a performance spectacle about love and power with song dance, music and drama, performed on a portable revolving stage.
During the workshop period David also designed the setting for the annual touring circus performed in the Oosterpoort concert hall Groningen.
Nimrod Theatre - The Kid
James Waites wrote in the National Times Oct 7 1983, a review of the Kid which went something like this~ Gow’s writing is imaginative, probing, compassionate; yet it describes a harsh society, our own, on the edge of apocalypse. Adults are shattered remnants, the system is falling to pieces, there is little hope for the future …
Find Out More
PO Box 1018 MORUYA
NSW 2537, Australia |
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