An Architect’s Ability to ‘See the Forest’

If you venture into Albury’s central QEII Square, you’ll discover a Summer Place installation, designed by local award winning architect, Carly Martin.

The young architect had only relocated back home after ten years working with one of Sydney’s most prestigious practices to establish her own business, Akimbo Architecture and was quick to be commissioned to design AlburyCity’s annual architecture pavilion over summer.

Titled ‘See the Forest,’ Carly says she reflected on her childhood in designing the structure.

“Like a lot of locals, my childhood summers were spent spending time going to the river and spending time on the river,” Carly explained.

“There is a lack of that river landscape in the middle of Albury, so I thought I’d bring a piece of that experience to QEII.

For me that was about the trees that grow along the edges, the curving form of the river and the textures, such as the river gravel.”

The blackened timber board exterior is created from bushfire salvaged timber from the Black Summer bushfires. It’s hoped viewers are transported to the tall ‘forest’ of timbers, incorporating the smell and touch.

Since establishing her own business Akimbo in Albury in 2019, Carly says it’s clear the region has an appetite for high end architecture.

“Albury Wodonga and the region is growing rapidly and changing and we’ve seen an influx of people from all different parts of the country moving here,” Carly explained.

“It’s not the just the clients, but we’re also getting people with some fantastic skills, such as specialist furniture makers and diverse builders