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The District Docklands is a retail and entertainment precinct in Melbourne’s Docklands, with apartments at upper levels. We were engaged by Capital Alliance Investment Group to provide urban design advice and prepare a Development Plan to facilitate the development of two properties within the southern part of The District Docklands and their associated air rights.
We established a framework for appropriate development of the sites through the identification of overarching Urban Design Principles, preferred uses, indicative building envelopes and building design guidelines.
The framework sought to optimise development potential while protecting solar access to a nearby park, maintaining key
viewlines through the precinct and contributing to a safer and more inviting public realm. The development of the framework involved careful modelling and negotiation with multiple authorities.
The Development Plan has been approved, enabling permit applications for a major mixed-use tower on each site.
kinetica was formerly known as David Lock Associates (DLA).
David Lock Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd changed its name to Kinetica Studio Pty Ltd on 21 February 2020 to reflect the significant reinvention of the business.
Starting with the crystallisation of our vision and values, continuing with a transformation of our planning offer, and culminating in our move to a ‘grown up’ office in the CBD, we are no longer the business we were.
Paralleling these changes, we agreed with David Lock Associates Limited (the English business which gave birth to DLA Australia) that it is time to undo our formal corporate ties, while retaining a strong informal relationship.
This reinvention of the business needed to be expressed outwardly and we began the process of refreshing our graphic identity. DLA has been predominantly known for urban design expertise, and the name reflects our history as a satellite of an English business. A new name offered the opportunity to establish a refined brand, based on a home-grown organisation featuring planners and urban designers trusted for their expertise and independence.
Our new company name, kinetica, reflects our passion for change. We facilitate and shape changes in the use, ownership and development of land to create a better lived experience.
kinetica retains the best of DLA—highly regarded independent urban design expertise—and combines it with highly regarded independent planning expertise.