From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 6 September

The decision to award Sydney based architects with the redevelopment of a Ballarat library has rendered me speechless – almost!!

IT is so preposterous, one hardly knows where to begin with the excoriation of those who made the decision, and the endless discourse in defence of local architects.

When first I came to Ballarat for the ill-fated appointment with the City of Ballarat, some old codger said, as an intended insult, “I’ve lived in Ballarat for 50 years.” Without missing a beat, and sans trace of any smile, I snapped, “And that’s your problem!” It went over his head like a hair net. I am not parochial, and there is only one standard: international.

Like many, I am fascinated by design. I have worked with some of the world’s most talented set designers, who are, by necessity, architects of a form. The original set design for the stage musical My Fair Lady is a prime example.

The awarding to Studio Hollenstein – their honourable mention design for the Varna City Library, Bulgaria, is seriously inspirational, while their celebrated Green Square Library and Plaza, Zetland, NSW, won the World’s Best Library Competition 2019  – was a moment of déjà vu.

For years, Australian actors were deemed incapable of playing the lead in any JC Williamson/Garnett Carroll musical. The American understudies, however inept, arrived to show us how. The same mind-set drove numerous friends and colleagues – Dame Joan Sutherland, Leo McKern, Sir Robert Helpmann, Keith Michell, Peter Finch, and Dame Judith Anderson – to up-stumps and leave. Collectively, we revolted. Things changed. Harry M Miller seized an opportunity. He hired locals and saved a fortune. We were more than capable.

It is self-evident: one does not need to be a murderer to play Jack the Ripper; however, when it comes to the architectural ethos of a rapidly developing city, there are myriad deliberations at play. You need to develop a receptivity to the palpable ‘feel and beat’ of the environs, which, in my experience, comes only from a close association; an awareness of the imperceptible, and a sense of belonging. Today, Ballarat is in the enviable position of being able to help delineate its future shape and form. It is a rare and serious responsibility and should reflect its residents.

Throughout my career I have taken chances on many people, and been disappointed once, only. I over-imagined their talent. The Hollenstein Studio will be no better, or worse, than local architects. Indisputably, they will do a most excellent job, but so, too, would several local architects.

With a budget of $2.4 million, and I am cognisant of such intricacies having worked on shows with budgets as high as $8 million, this is, architecturally, a boutique job. Arguably, by using a Sydney based organisation, monies which should be directed towards remodelling will be spent on airfares and living expenses, albeit part of their fee structure. ‘They ain’t doin’ this for love and lollies’. At the risk of sounding flippant, $2.4 million is a round-of-drinks when it comes to such renovating. We are not building the pyramids, for God’s sake!

It is arrant nonsense to suggest, by implication, Ballarat’s resident architects are not eminently qualified to carry-out what is, ostensibly, a small renovation. The make-up of the determining jury remains private. How many were architects, town planners, or urban scientists? To be judged professionally by less than a peer is the ultimate insult. Sadly, these days you give someone a remote control and they think they’re in showbusiness.

Having quizzed one Ballarat architect, I suspect there is an element of celebrity involved in the decision making.

Ballarat is battling valiantly to find its new raison d’être in these turbulent but exhilarating times. It is disquieting to see the City of Ballarat council turn its back on local businesses, and a gross insult to the talent contained therein.

We need to know how it came to pass. It is a scandal; a bloody disgrace!

Roland can be heard on RADIO 3BA, every Monday morning, 10.45 and contacted via [email protected].