Philip Thalis
@philipthalis.bsky.social
Architect, urbanist, public advocate. Principal @HillThalisAUP co author #PublicSydney Book & Puzzle. Prof Practice UNSW. ex Sydney Ind Councillor. Aust Arch Gold🥇2024
On Gadigal country
On Gadigal country
How NOT to design & build public transport!
The light rail stop buried in the bowels of Star Casino is such a dismal environment; dark, internalised, closed to the street & harbour, the poor cousin to the shiny casino above.
Never make public transport subservient to private agendas.
#publicsydney
The light rail stop buried in the bowels of Star Casino is such a dismal environment; dark, internalised, closed to the street & harbour, the poor cousin to the shiny casino above.
Never make public transport subservient to private agendas.
#publicsydney
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 AM
How NOT to design & build public transport!
The light rail stop buried in the bowels of Star Casino is such a dismal environment; dark, internalised, closed to the street & harbour, the poor cousin to the shiny casino above.
Never make public transport subservient to private agendas.
#publicsydney
The light rail stop buried in the bowels of Star Casino is such a dismal environment; dark, internalised, closed to the street & harbour, the poor cousin to the shiny casino above.
Never make public transport subservient to private agendas.
#publicsydney
Wimbo Park in Surry Hills - beautifully remade by #suebarnsley Landscape Architects for @cityofsydney.bsky.social.
A generous green expanded due to the cutting through of ES light rail line, opening connections & vista to Moore Pk & SCG beyond.
Able to have a light rail stop added
#publicsydney
A generous green expanded due to the cutting through of ES light rail line, opening connections & vista to Moore Pk & SCG beyond.
Able to have a light rail stop added
#publicsydney
November 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Wimbo Park in Surry Hills - beautifully remade by #suebarnsley Landscape Architects for @cityofsydney.bsky.social.
A generous green expanded due to the cutting through of ES light rail line, opening connections & vista to Moore Pk & SCG beyond.
Able to have a light rail stop added
#publicsydney
A generous green expanded due to the cutting through of ES light rail line, opening connections & vista to Moore Pk & SCG beyond.
Able to have a light rail stop added
#publicsydney
Yet another revered Labor figure despairing about @albo Govt abdication of any progressive agenda.
Carmen Lawrence in @smh takes them to task about coal, climate & environment, others rightly attacking AUKUS, health, housing, education …
So many squandered opportunities, when threats so present
Carmen Lawrence in @smh takes them to task about coal, climate & environment, others rightly attacking AUKUS, health, housing, education …
So many squandered opportunities, when threats so present
November 18, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Yet another revered Labor figure despairing about @albo Govt abdication of any progressive agenda.
Carmen Lawrence in @smh takes them to task about coal, climate & environment, others rightly attacking AUKUS, health, housing, education …
So many squandered opportunities, when threats so present
Carmen Lawrence in @smh takes them to task about coal, climate & environment, others rightly attacking AUKUS, health, housing, education …
So many squandered opportunities, when threats so present
Some fascinating comparisons!
See The Colosseum (seated 50 000) vs ICC Darling Harbour (seats 8 800).
Or the Baths of Caracalla vs Central Station.
Remember these at same scale!
So get your puzzle & solve Sydney
See The Colosseum (seated 50 000) vs ICC Darling Harbour (seats 8 800).
Or the Baths of Caracalla vs Central Station.
Remember these at same scale!
So get your puzzle & solve Sydney
November 17, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Some fascinating comparisons!
See The Colosseum (seated 50 000) vs ICC Darling Harbour (seats 8 800).
Or the Baths of Caracalla vs Central Station.
Remember these at same scale!
So get your puzzle & solve Sydney
See The Colosseum (seated 50 000) vs ICC Darling Harbour (seats 8 800).
Or the Baths of Caracalla vs Central Station.
Remember these at same scale!
So get your puzzle & solve Sydney
What started as a new office entry - matching in size & scale our #publicsydney drawing with Nolli’s famous 1748 Plan of Rome. Perfect for a design office!
So during COVID we turned our drawing into #publicsydneypuzzle - get yours this Christmas #KinokuniyaAust & #Urobookshops 1/2
So during COVID we turned our drawing into #publicsydneypuzzle - get yours this Christmas #KinokuniyaAust & #Urobookshops 1/2
November 17, 2025 at 10:17 AM
What started as a new office entry - matching in size & scale our #publicsydney drawing with Nolli’s famous 1748 Plan of Rome. Perfect for a design office!
So during COVID we turned our drawing into #publicsydneypuzzle - get yours this Christmas #KinokuniyaAust & #Urobookshops 1/2
So during COVID we turned our drawing into #publicsydneypuzzle - get yours this Christmas #KinokuniyaAust & #Urobookshops 1/2
Making good; Our respectful & practical work to extend the building’s life for the ongoing enjoyment of its residents & owners
November 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Making good; Our respectful & practical work to extend the building’s life for the ongoing enjoyment of its residents & owners
The original c1950 building unusually skilful & adventurous in design, perched on rocky corner site.
Projecting bay windows gave everyone the sun & view, open gallery access with level change like communal verandahs to sheltered rear.
In 60’s? rendered & painted, alum windows
Projecting bay windows gave everyone the sun & view, open gallery access with level change like communal verandahs to sheltered rear.
In 60’s? rendered & painted, alum windows
November 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The original c1950 building unusually skilful & adventurous in design, perched on rocky corner site.
Projecting bay windows gave everyone the sun & view, open gallery access with level change like communal verandahs to sheltered rear.
In 60’s? rendered & painted, alum windows
Projecting bay windows gave everyone the sun & view, open gallery access with level change like communal verandahs to sheltered rear.
In 60’s? rendered & painted, alum windows
The challenges of how to upgrade characterful but dilapidated apartment buildings.
Our work with the owners of this Maroubra Beach front apartment building - long a personal favourite - trying to navigate;
1 planning (DA lodged)
2 documentation, consultant coord, regulations
3 construction
…
Our work with the owners of this Maroubra Beach front apartment building - long a personal favourite - trying to navigate;
1 planning (DA lodged)
2 documentation, consultant coord, regulations
3 construction
…
November 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The challenges of how to upgrade characterful but dilapidated apartment buildings.
Our work with the owners of this Maroubra Beach front apartment building - long a personal favourite - trying to navigate;
1 planning (DA lodged)
2 documentation, consultant coord, regulations
3 construction
…
Our work with the owners of this Maroubra Beach front apartment building - long a personal favourite - trying to navigate;
1 planning (DA lodged)
2 documentation, consultant coord, regulations
3 construction
…
The intrinsic adaptability of #sydneyterracehouses is too often stymied by overstated heritage. Let them be;
-added to vertically
-extended forward to the street line
-turned into shops & offices
-split into flats
-opened up internally
-opened up to rear
No need to be too precious about most
-added to vertically
-extended forward to the street line
-turned into shops & offices
-split into flats
-opened up internally
-opened up to rear
No need to be too precious about most
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 AM
The intrinsic adaptability of #sydneyterracehouses is too often stymied by overstated heritage. Let them be;
-added to vertically
-extended forward to the street line
-turned into shops & offices
-split into flats
-opened up internally
-opened up to rear
No need to be too precious about most
-added to vertically
-extended forward to the street line
-turned into shops & offices
-split into flats
-opened up internally
-opened up to rear
No need to be too precious about most
Go past clickbait headline, this is important initiative by Govt to buy back flood-affected properties in NSW northern rivers.
Test case for the inevitable planned retreat that will have to be rolled out up & down our coast & along our rivers, & bushfire prone edges.
At what cost?
Test case for the inevitable planned retreat that will have to be rolled out up & down our coast & along our rivers, & bushfire prone edges.
At what cost?
November 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Go past clickbait headline, this is important initiative by Govt to buy back flood-affected properties in NSW northern rivers.
Test case for the inevitable planned retreat that will have to be rolled out up & down our coast & along our rivers, & bushfire prone edges.
At what cost?
Test case for the inevitable planned retreat that will have to be rolled out up & down our coast & along our rivers, & bushfire prone edges.
At what cost?
Sydney’s Surry Hills has an extraordinary range of wackily shaped micro lots.
Regular facade, but look at that impossible plan!
Many lots less than 80m2, a few less than 30m2.
Of course never miss a real estate opportunity there…
#sydneyterracehouses
Regular facade, but look at that impossible plan!
Many lots less than 80m2, a few less than 30m2.
Of course never miss a real estate opportunity there…
#sydneyterracehouses
November 13, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Sydney’s Surry Hills has an extraordinary range of wackily shaped micro lots.
Regular facade, but look at that impossible plan!
Many lots less than 80m2, a few less than 30m2.
Of course never miss a real estate opportunity there…
#sydneyterracehouses
Regular facade, but look at that impossible plan!
Many lots less than 80m2, a few less than 30m2.
Of course never miss a real estate opportunity there…
#sydneyterracehouses
Hey @albomp.bsky.social
No State Funeral for low-life political thugs & RWF media commentators.
You should know better…
No State Funeral for low-life political thugs & RWF media commentators.
You should know better…
November 13, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Hey @albomp.bsky.social
No State Funeral for low-life political thugs & RWF media commentators.
You should know better…
No State Funeral for low-life political thugs & RWF media commentators.
You should know better…
Great to be reminded by @ABCmediawatch about their expose of John Laws’ Cash for Comment.
The self-professed golden tonsils only too happy to indulge himself in trash talk for cash inducements, shown up by #richardackland.
Progenitor of a vile congo line of talkback warriors
The self-professed golden tonsils only too happy to indulge himself in trash talk for cash inducements, shown up by #richardackland.
Progenitor of a vile congo line of talkback warriors
November 12, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Great to be reminded by @ABCmediawatch about their expose of John Laws’ Cash for Comment.
The self-professed golden tonsils only too happy to indulge himself in trash talk for cash inducements, shown up by #richardackland.
Progenitor of a vile congo line of talkback warriors
The self-professed golden tonsils only too happy to indulge himself in trash talk for cash inducements, shown up by #richardackland.
Progenitor of a vile congo line of talkback warriors
50 years on …
It’s still time to fix the faults of the Constitution, abolish the Governor General, become a republic
…& have a progressive, reformist government…
It’s still time to fix the faults of the Constitution, abolish the Governor General, become a republic
…& have a progressive, reformist government…
November 10, 2025 at 7:52 PM
50 years on …
It’s still time to fix the faults of the Constitution, abolish the Governor General, become a republic
…& have a progressive, reformist government…
It’s still time to fix the faults of the Constitution, abolish the Governor General, become a republic
…& have a progressive, reformist government…
Fantasyland in Fassifern;
Folk art all along the footpath.
Someone clearly has an obsession which they are only too happy to share with any passers-by
Folk art all along the footpath.
Someone clearly has an obsession which they are only too happy to share with any passers-by
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Fantasyland in Fassifern;
Folk art all along the footpath.
Someone clearly has an obsession which they are only too happy to share with any passers-by
Folk art all along the footpath.
Someone clearly has an obsession which they are only too happy to share with any passers-by
Long overdue to have. Truth telling commission on what happened in the Australian Wars, too little acknowledged wars across our continent, almost always to the cost of the Aboriginal people’s
Excellent sentiments in letter to @smh
Excellent sentiments in letter to @smh
November 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Long overdue to have. Truth telling commission on what happened in the Australian Wars, too little acknowledged wars across our continent, almost always to the cost of the Aboriginal people’s
Excellent sentiments in letter to @smh
Excellent sentiments in letter to @smh
Visiting an old friend;
Our wedge-shaped #studioapartments opposite Dulwich Hill station now have the fabulous #OlympicMeats at street level.
Council have improved street, metro pending, facade cleaned, neighbours still puzzlingly undeveloped, so you can still see form of our triangular site
Our wedge-shaped #studioapartments opposite Dulwich Hill station now have the fabulous #OlympicMeats at street level.
Council have improved street, metro pending, facade cleaned, neighbours still puzzlingly undeveloped, so you can still see form of our triangular site
November 9, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Visiting an old friend;
Our wedge-shaped #studioapartments opposite Dulwich Hill station now have the fabulous #OlympicMeats at street level.
Council have improved street, metro pending, facade cleaned, neighbours still puzzlingly undeveloped, so you can still see form of our triangular site
Our wedge-shaped #studioapartments opposite Dulwich Hill station now have the fabulous #OlympicMeats at street level.
Council have improved street, metro pending, facade cleaned, neighbours still puzzlingly undeveloped, so you can still see form of our triangular site
More tragic news in Sydney; now 8 pedestrians killed by cars in last fortnight
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
More tragic news in Sydney; now 8 pedestrians killed by cars in last fortnight
At the re-installing of the sculpture Joy in Stanley St Darlinghurst, commemorating all the sex workers & street walkers who were once so common in the area.
Put back anew after a 30 year hiatus.
#publicsydney
Put back anew after a 30 year hiatus.
#publicsydney
November 8, 2025 at 2:31 AM
At the re-installing of the sculpture Joy in Stanley St Darlinghurst, commemorating all the sex workers & street walkers who were once so common in the area.
Put back anew after a 30 year hiatus.
#publicsydney
Put back anew after a 30 year hiatus.
#publicsydney
Shocking post by #walksydney -
5 pedestrians killed last week.
Look at the types of big vehicles involved
Shrink sizes, slow speeds
5 pedestrians killed last week.
Look at the types of big vehicles involved
Shrink sizes, slow speeds
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Shocking post by #walksydney -
5 pedestrians killed last week.
Look at the types of big vehicles involved
Shrink sizes, slow speeds
5 pedestrians killed last week.
Look at the types of big vehicles involved
Shrink sizes, slow speeds
Wonderful acknowledgment of the tremendous contribution of Emeritus Professor James Weirick, tonight receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from #UrbanDesignAssociation NSW.
Whether lecturing, teaching, research, offering design review or expert evidence, advocacy & fearless criticism, a champion
Whether lecturing, teaching, research, offering design review or expert evidence, advocacy & fearless criticism, a champion
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Wonderful acknowledgment of the tremendous contribution of Emeritus Professor James Weirick, tonight receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from #UrbanDesignAssociation NSW.
Whether lecturing, teaching, research, offering design review or expert evidence, advocacy & fearless criticism, a champion
Whether lecturing, teaching, research, offering design review or expert evidence, advocacy & fearless criticism, a champion
The big white lie..
& the dwarfing reality
So why did a previous NSW Govt sell out air rights at Central?
On a site so small that the tower has to billow out over platform 1?
& how much was this sold for?
#publicsydney flogged off as #privatisedsydney
& the dwarfing reality
So why did a previous NSW Govt sell out air rights at Central?
On a site so small that the tower has to billow out over platform 1?
& how much was this sold for?
#publicsydney flogged off as #privatisedsydney
November 5, 2025 at 5:39 AM
The big white lie..
& the dwarfing reality
So why did a previous NSW Govt sell out air rights at Central?
On a site so small that the tower has to billow out over platform 1?
& how much was this sold for?
#publicsydney flogged off as #privatisedsydney
& the dwarfing reality
So why did a previous NSW Govt sell out air rights at Central?
On a site so small that the tower has to billow out over platform 1?
& how much was this sold for?
#publicsydney flogged off as #privatisedsydney
For proof that it’s an addition, always look at the junction of the party walls - see 1/2 the original bland wall on each side.
If further proof needed, maybe peek in front door - terrace details remain.
Hard to find anything specific about its history to explain its design..
#urbandetective
If further proof needed, maybe peek in front door - terrace details remain.
Hard to find anything specific about its history to explain its design..
#urbandetective
November 4, 2025 at 12:06 PM
For proof that it’s an addition, always look at the junction of the party walls - see 1/2 the original bland wall on each side.
If further proof needed, maybe peek in front door - terrace details remain.
Hard to find anything specific about its history to explain its design..
#urbandetective
If further proof needed, maybe peek in front door - terrace details remain.
Hard to find anything specific about its history to explain its design..
#urbandetective
The Art Nouveau effusion grafted on to the front of a large group of #sydneyterracehouses facing Victoria Park In Chippendale.
No92 City Rd was long used for medical purposes, including Family Planning Clinic - maybe that’s why it was altered in such a grand way originally 1/2
No92 City Rd was long used for medical purposes, including Family Planning Clinic - maybe that’s why it was altered in such a grand way originally 1/2
November 4, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Art Nouveau effusion grafted on to the front of a large group of #sydneyterracehouses facing Victoria Park In Chippendale.
No92 City Rd was long used for medical purposes, including Family Planning Clinic - maybe that’s why it was altered in such a grand way originally 1/2
No92 City Rd was long used for medical purposes, including Family Planning Clinic - maybe that’s why it was altered in such a grand way originally 1/2