<h3>The highly acclaimed Chelsea Australia Garden Olinda by Phillip Johnson Landscapes and featuring <a href="https://wp.db-a.co/projects/chelsea-australia-garden-olinda/">Decibel Architecture&#8217;s Waratah Studio</a> has captured the attention of an international audience in PRC Magazine &#8211; a Hong Kong-based architecture publication.</h3>
A four-page spread highlights the history of the project, explores the rejuvenation of a former golf course and the reimagining of the Best in Show &#8216;Australia Garden&#8217; at the 2013 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show ten years on from its initial inception. With the new Waratah Studio at the heart of the native garden, Decibel Architecture and Phillip Johnson Landscapes continue the important dialogue between architecture and landscape, nature and the built environment.
Words: dB(A) Strategy Director, Stephanie Brady 
Photography: John Gollings, Claire Takacs, Hayley Cottrell
Stunning front cover image also captured by dB(A) Student of Architecture, Hayley Cottrell 
(PRC magazine noting that they couldn’t miss the opportunity to showcase this striking image.)
Below is an excerpt from the article. If you would like to read more, the full issue is available online on <a href="https://issuu.com/rofmedia/docs/prc114_issuu_20240702/52" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PRC Magazine&#8217;s Issuu</a>.
Chelsea Australia Garden Olinda featuring the Waratah Studio &#8211; In 2013, Landscape Designer Phillip Johnson, Horticulturalist Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders Team, designed and installed the award winning ‘Australia Garden’ at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in London. This was the first Australian entry to win Gold and Best in Show!
Ten years on, Phillip Johnson Landscapes recreated this incredible award-winning Australian Garden in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, Olinda, (Wurundjeri Country). This new garden is located on a section of the former Olinda Golf Course and is more than twentyfold the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show exhibit.
This stunning botanic garden supports biodiversity and habitat through the creation of important native habitats for native plants and animals in the area and features more than 15,000 plants from over 400 native Australian species. It includes rare and endangered species such as the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis), which is listed as critically endangered and other precious species. As the garden matures, it encourages wildlife such as birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which are so important for the environment.
<a href="https://issuu.com/rofmedia/docs/prc114_issuu_20240702/52" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read more.</a>

PRC Magazine Issue 114 front cover featuring Chelsea Australia Garden Olinda

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Decibel Architecture and Phillip Johnson Landscape PRC Magazine Issue 114 Spread

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NāNo Gallery is thrilled to present our first solo exhibition.
Louis Dickins (b. 1995) is a Melbourne-based visual artist, writer, and filmmaker whose work is inspired by the urban, gritty streetlight of the inner city and its colourful characters. The juxtaposition of these figures and their bright hues against this often tough, urban environment brings, in Louis’s words, “something bright and hopeful to hang on to in all of them.”
Completing a Bachelor of Creative Arts at Australian Catholic University, Louis’s work has been exhibited throughout Ngár-go/Fitzroy, in locally galleries and community joints such as Mario’s Café, and Gertie Gallery. His work has recently been acknowledged as a finalist the Emerging Artist Award 2024 presented by fortyfivedownstairs.
Along with painting, Louis has also written and produced three short films and a play, the most recent of which, Plastic Flowers (2023) has been selected to show at Purgatory Film Festival in Southampton, UK.
Artworks are available for purchase, please enquire via our Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nanogalleryfitzroy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@nanogalleryfitzroy</a> or email nanogallery@db-a.co.
The exhibition will run until the end of July, with Louis’s distinct portraits cycled through our space.
Opening night Friday 5th July from 5pm.

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<h3>Decibel Architecture is excited to announce our new in-house creative project – NāNo Gallery.</h3>
NāNo Gallery is a teeny tiny Melbourne-based contemporary art space whose sole purpose is to elevate and celebrate the arts. Located in the heart of Ngár-go (Fitzroy), NāNo Gallery adds a unique, multi-disciplinary art space to this wonderfully colourful and diverse local community.
Established in 2024, by Decibel Architecture (dB(A)) as an extension of our creative activism, NāNo Gallery has a deep commitment to supporting local artists and to using this platform for good. It leans into dB(A)’s values of Knowledge, Radicalism and Play.
<h3>“Though she be but little, she is fierce.” – William Shakespeare</h3>
We might be small, but we have big plans for this exciting new interactive space and welcome suggestions for our program <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nanogalleryfitzroy/">@nanogalleryfitzroy</a>.
NāNo Gallery acknowledges Wurundjeri Country and the custodianship of Her people. We pay our respects to all First Nations Peoples, recognising their profound legacy in art as an expression of identity, culture, spirituality and connection to Country.

NāNo Gallery on Johnston Street, Fitzroy

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Moire (Parenthesis) Installation at the NāNo Gallery, Fitzroy.

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<h3>Decibel Architecture&#8217;s (formerly studio505) legacy project, Phoenix Valley was recently named one of the &#8220;most spectacular&#8221; bio-solar roofs in the world by leading British landscapers and green roof specialists, Pritchard and Pritchard.</h3>
Noting its patchwork style planting that creates a green replica of the building&#8217;s colourful facade, Pritchard and Pritchard praised the architecture for showcasing beauty as an outcome of sustainability.
Read more about the ground-breaking <a href="https://wp.db-a.co/projects/phoenix-valley/">Phoenix Valley</a> project and check out <a href="https://green-roofs.co.uk/worlds-biggest-biosolar-roofs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pritchard and Pritchard&#8217;s article</a>.

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In celebration of International Women&#8217;s Day, we gathered and talked about some of the many challenges women still face in 2024. We shared stories about some incredibly inspiring Millennial and Gen Z women who are leading the charge for change. And we also took this opportunity to start a discussion around menstrual and menopause care in the workplace. Thank you to our awesome team for bringing such great energy, hope and a few swears.
Find out more out these amazing women championed by our team below.
Watch this space&#8230;
<a href="https://www.shamelessmediaco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shameless Media</a> &#8211; <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/you-re-not-going-to-be-everyone-s-cup-of-tea-the-perils-of-podcast-success-20220801-p5b6b9.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews</a>
Actor and disability rights activist &#8211; <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-13/heartbreak-high-actor-chloe-hayden-leaves-instagram/103097486" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chloe Hayden</a> 
<a href="https://www.kent.edu/equalaccess/news/chloe-hayden-breaking-stereotypes-through-media#:~:text=Chloe%20was%20first%20diagnosed%20as,experiences%20as%20growing%20up%20neurodivergent." target="_blank" rel="noopener">More on Chloe</a>
Image maker / Researcher / Co-founder and Director <a href="https://hiball.tv/INFO" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hiball</a> – <a href="https://alexandrakirwood.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alexandra Kirwood</a>
Fashion Designer – <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/a44722008/miss-sohee-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sohee Park</a>
Singer-songwriter / TikTok sensation– <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_McRae" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tate McCrae</a> 
Only 20 years old
Skateboarding sensation – <a href="https://www.redbull.com/au-en/athlete/leticia-bufoni" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leticia Bufoni</a>
Environmental Warrior &#8211; <a href="https://www.oneearth.org/conservation-hero-txai-surui/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Txai Suruí</a>
World Champion gymnast – <a href="https://achievement.org/achiever/simone-biles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simone Biles</a>
Australia’s champion women’s soccer team – <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/sport/the-matildas-next-goal-making-women-s-sport-as-bankable-as-men-s-20240122-p5ez5c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Matilda’s</a>
Astrophysicist – <a href="https://honisoit.com/2015/09/cleo-loi-groundbreaking-uni-astrophysicist/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr Cleo Loi</a>
Sailing sensation and Youth Ambassador – <a href="https://www.yachtingworld.com/cruising/jessica-watson-the-real-story-of-true-spirit-stars-voyage-143987" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Watson OAM</a>
Olympic Champion / Youth Ambassador – <a href="https://www.xgames.com/events/x-games-aspen-2024/eileen-gu-athlete-profile" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eileen Gu</a>
Outgoing Editor in Chief of Vogue China – <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/02/style/vogue-china-margaret-zhang.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Margaret Zhang</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/27/vogue-china-margaret-zhang-editor-in-chief-exit-leaving-why" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More on Margaret</a>
Actor / survivor of childhood abuse – <a href="https://www.stylist.co.uk/people/maisie-williams-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast-steven-bartlett/712114" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maisie Williams</a>
Abortion rights activists of Argentina – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/argentina-legalises-abortion-in-landmark-moment-for-womens-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Women of Argentina</a>
Pro-democracy Activist – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/08/hong-kong-activist-agnes-chow-life-in-exile-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agnes Chow</a>
First Nations’ Activist / Global Youth Committee leader – <a href="https://rectas.com.au/news/young-palawa-activist-maggie-blanden-appointed-to-global-youth-committee-by-ex-pm-gillard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maggie Blanden</a>
Period Activist / Writer / Entrepreneur – <a href="https://www.nadyaokamoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nadya Okamoto</a>
Writer / Feminist Activist – <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_we_should_all_be_feminists?language=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</a>
ABC National Disability Affairs Reporter – <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/nas-campanella-journalism-reporting-blindness-radio-tv-news/102514072" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nas Campanella</a>

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<h3>Last month Creative Director Dylan Brady, Practice Director Tristrim Cummings and Project Lead Amy Rodda attended the BETTER FUTURE Melbourne Design Awards to receive their <a href="https://betterfutureawards.com/MEL23/project.asp?ID=28482" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gold award for the Chelsea Australia Garden Olinda.</a>.</h3>
This recreation of the Waratah Studio originally produced 10 years ago at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show was made locally in Melbourne by <a href="https://www.lump.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lump Sculpture Studio</a>, and sits once more in the beautiful native landscape design by <a href="https://www.phillipjohnson.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philip Johnson Landscapes</a> within the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Garden.
Congratulations once more to the team! Click <a href="https://wp.db-a.co/projects/chelsea-australia-garden-olinda/">here</a> to read more about the project.

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The beautiful Chelsea Australian Garden Olinda is now open to the public in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens. Congratulations to Phillip Johnson and the amazing team of collaborators for their incredible work. Being a part of this project through the inclusion of the Waratah Sculpture while watching this stunning garden come to life has been truly thrilling.
Click <a title="The Waratah Studio - Chelsea Australia Garden Olinda" href="https://www.db-a.co/projects/chelsea-australia-garden-olinda">here</a> to learn more about this project.

The Waratah Studio by Decibel Architecture at Chelsea Australia Garden Olinda

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Construction of The Waratah Studio by Decibel Architecture at Garden Olinda

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Decibel Architecture&#8217;s Creative Director Dylan Brady was recently asked to provide an architect&#8217;s insight into the emerging push for greater integration of biophilic design principles within our built environment.
<h3>&#8220;Biophilia in our built environment simply enables natural systems, harnessing the lessons of billions of years of practice.&#8221;</h3>
Click <a title="Domain Magazine - The rise of biophilic design" href="https://issuu.com/domainmagazines/docs/dfa-20230524/s/26864015" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to read the full article in the Domain Review.

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For this year’s International Women’s Day, the Decibel Architecture team gathered over breakfast bagels and coffee to share stories of the inspirational women who have influenced us in our professional lives. This resulted in a varied collection of articles, lectures and podcasts across art, architecture, writing and cultural criticism. Check out our ever-growing list below:
Patrice Gordon and Reverse Mentorship 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.ted.com/talks/patrice_gordon_how_reverse_mentorship_can_help_create_better_leaders" href="https://www.ted.com/talks/patrice_gordon_how_reverse_mentorship_can_help_create_better_leaders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How reverse mentorship can help create better leaders | TED Talk</a> 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221110-reverse-mentorship-how-young-workers-are-teaching-bosses" href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221110-reverse-mentorship-how-young-workers-are-teaching-bosses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8216;Reverse mentorship&#8217;: How young workers are teaching bosses &#8211; BBC Worklife</a>
Elsie Owusu and Diversity in Architecture 
<a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/elsie_owusu_architecture_why_diversity_matters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elsie Owusu: Architecture: Why Diversity Matters | TED Talk</a>
Yayoi Kusama 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://bombmagazine.org/articles/yayoi-kusama/" href="https://bombmagazine.org/articles/yayoi-kusama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BOMB Magazine | Yayoi Kusama</a> 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.moma.org/artists/3315#fnref:1" href="https://www.moma.org/artists/3315#fnref:1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yayoi Kusama | MoMA</a>
Denise Scott Brown &#8211; Sexism and the Star System 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/oct/16/the-scandal-of-architecture-invisible-women-denise-scott-brown" href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/oct/16/the-scandal-of-architecture-invisible-women-denise-scott-brown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Snubbed, cheated, erased: the scandal of architecture&#8217;s invisible women | Architecture | The Guardian</a> 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://mascontext.com/issues/debate/room-at-the-top-sexism-and-the-star-system-in-architecture/" href="https://mascontext.com/issues/debate/room-at-the-top-sexism-and-the-star-system-in-architecture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Room at the Top? Sexism and the Star System in Architecture | MAS Context</a> 
Women reinventing themselves after 50 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/lifestyle/women-over-50/" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/lifestyle/women-over-50/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Changing channels: Stories of women reinventing themselves after 50 &#8211; Washington Post</a>
Diane Brand &#8211; Architect to Dean 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2021/12/01/uninews-dianne-brand-architecture.html" href="https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2021/12/01/uninews-dianne-brand-architecture.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diane Brand: childhood home a catalyst for a career &#8211; The University of Auckland</a>
Zaha Hadid 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/nov/14/zaha-hadid-woman-arab-double-edged-sword" href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/nov/14/zaha-hadid-woman-arab-double-edged-sword" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zaha Hadid: &#8216;Being an Arab and a woman is a double-edged sword&#8217; | Women | The Guardian</a> 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/mar/31/zaha-hadid-maverick-architect-designer-appreciation" href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/mar/31/zaha-hadid-maverick-architect-designer-appreciation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zaha Hadid: creator of ambitious wonders – and a fair share of blunders | Zaha Hadid | The Guardian</a>
Donna Haraway  
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/review/staying-with-the-trouble-donna-haraway/" href="https://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/review/staying-with-the-trouble-donna-haraway/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene by Donna Haraway | Review (sydneyreviewofbooks.com)</a>
Louise Bourgeois<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/mar/14/louise-bourgeois-feminist-art-sculptor-bilbao-guggenheim-women" href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/mar/14/louise-bourgeois-feminist-art-sculptor-bilbao-guggenheim-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 
Louise Bourgeois – the reluctant hero of feminist art | Women | The Guardian</a>
Nika Zupanc 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/design/designer-nika-zupanc-imbues-her-work-with-a-feministspirit/article33581252/" href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/design/designer-nika-zupanc-imbues-her-work-with-a-feministspirit/article33581252/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Designer Nika Zupanc imbues her work with a feminist spirit &#8211; The Globe and Mail</a>
Alison Brooks 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/events/dulux-deans-lecture-series-2018-alison-brooks" href="https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/events/dulux-deans-lecture-series-2018-alison-brooks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dulux Dean&#8217;s Lecture Series 2018: Alison Brooks (unimelb.edu.au)</a> 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/study/discover/interview-alison-brooks-talks-career-beginnings,-award-winning-works-and-design-ideals" href="https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/study/discover/interview-alison-brooks-talks-career-beginnings,-award-winning-works-and-design-ideals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Interview: Alison Brooks talks career beginnings, award-winning works and design ideals (unimelb.edu.au)</a>
Nicole Kalms 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-new-normal-look-like-for-womens-safety-in-cities-140169" href="https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-new-normal-look-like-for-womens-safety-in-cities-140169" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What does the &#8216;new normal’ look like for women’s safety in cities? (theconversation.com)</a> 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://2021.mpavilion.org/program/whos-afraid-of-public-space/" href="https://2021.mpavilion.org/program/whos-afraid-of-public-space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Who’s Afraid of Public Space? Think Tank #4: Movement of people &amp; safety in public | MPavilion 2021</a>
Glennon Doyle 
<a tabindex="-1" title="https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=glennon+doyle+podcast+brene+brown&amp;docid=603520072789945880&amp;mid=765d2bb8a33f42e916a0765d2bb8a33f42e916a0&amp;view=detail&amp;form=vire" href="https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=glennon+doyle+podcast+brene+brown&amp;docid=603520072789945880&amp;mid=765D2BB8A33F42E916A0765D2BB8A33F42E916A0&amp;view=detail&amp;FORM=VIRE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unlocking Us with Brené Brown &#8211; Glennon Doyle and Brené on Untamed. MAR 24, 2020 &#8211; Bing video</a>

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<h3>The LUME Melbourne has been awarded Silver in the <a href="https://awards.design/aus23/project.asp?ID=26342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BETTER FUTURE Award Programs – Australian Design Awards</a> for Pop-Ups, Display, Exhibit &amp; Set Design.</h3>
We are so excited by the continued evolution of this remarkable space and thrilled to see it being recognised by both patrons and industry peers! Thank you as always to The LUME for dreaming big and to all our amazing collaborators.⁠
<a href="https://www.thelumemelbourne.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The LUME Melbourne</a> 
<a href="https://grande-experiences.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grand Experiences</a> 
<a href="https://www.wsp.com/en-au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WSP</a> 
<a href="https://www.vistek.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vistek</a> 
<a href="https://www.lexon.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lexon Group</a> 
<a href="https://www.marshallday.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marshall Day Building Acoustics</a> 
<a href="https://www.plpaust.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PLP Building Surveyors</a> 
<a href="https://mcec.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre</a>
To read more about The LUME, click <a href="https://db-a.co/projects/the-lume/">here</a> to go to the project page.

News

Chelsea Australia Garden Olinda Featured in PRC Magazine

NāNo Gallery Presents: Louis Dickins

Introducing NāNo Gallery

Phoenix Valley featured by Leading UK Green Roof Specialists

2024 International Women’s Day

BETTER FUTURE Melbourne Design Awards Night

Chelsea Australia Garden Olinda Now Open

Dylan Brady Featured in The Age

2023 International Women’s Day

The LUME Wins Silver in the BETTER FUTURE Award Program