Dr Lee-Anne Khor
Lee-Anne specialises in multi-scalar and design-led research into the transformation of established cities.
Lee-Anne is a key member of Urban Lab at Monash University, where she works with academic, industry and government partners to develop design models for more affordable, sustainable housing and urban precincts. Her research focuses on the transformation of the established city and operates across the scales of building, precinct and region. She employs speculative design as tool for navigating the complex, and often conflicting, imperatives of urban regeneration and to enable complex stakeholder-inputs to be synthesised into integrative and strategic spatial policies. Lee-Anne’s PhD, for example, examined new architectural and urban design possibilities for small-scale housing infill in Melbourne’s middle suburbs, with the aim of advancing policies for ’greyfield redevelopment’.
She has taught design and communication subjects at RMIT and Monash Universities and, prior to joining the Urban Lab, gained her professional registration working on a range of education, civic and residential projects. Most recently, she has been leading an inter-disciplinary study into the spatial morphology and potential for precinct-scaled renewal of suburban industrial centres with colleagues in the Departments of Economics, Architecture and Urban History.
Lee-Anne is accepting PhD candidates who are interested in employing multi-scalar and design-led research approaches to address the various social and environmental challenges confronting our cities.
Upcoming events
Graduate research opportunities
We look favourably on applications to study a graduate research degree that align with our research labs, focus areas, and the expertise of our supervisors, and encourage you to explore the list of opportunities below.
Building 4.0 CRC
This is a unique opportunity to apply for PhD scholarships in a leading initiative set to transform the building and construction industry.
- Scholarship available
- Open call
- Supervisors: Professor Shane Murray, Professor Naomi Stead, Dr Rachel Couper, Dr Duncan Maxwell, Dr Victor Bunster, Professor Nigel Bertram, Dr Lee-Anne Khor, Dr Laura Harper, Dr Alysia Bennett, Dr Jason Crow, Associate Professor Maryam Gusheh, Ross Brewin, Timothy Moore, Dr Angela Solarte and Dr Ali Rashidi
- Undertaken within: Future Building Initiative
Current research projects
At Monash Art, Design and Architecture, we focus on the pursuit of research that addresses the social, economic and human issues facing Australia.
Industrial Revolution
An evidence-based framework for capturing the tacit + future values of Melbourne’s ‘National Employment and Innovation Clusters’.
Past research projects
Designing Affordable, Sustainable Housing (DASH)
High-quality, innovative architecture and urban design provides great living places.
Infill Opportunities
Improving small-scale residential infill development in Melbourne's middle suburbs.
Intensifying Places: Transit-Oriented Urban Design for Resilient Cities
Investigating how design research approaches can contribute to guiding the intensification of Australian cities.
Processes for Developing Affordable and Sustainable Medium-density Housing Models for Greyfield Precincts
Sustainable regeneration for Melbourne’s middle suburbs.
Redcliffe Connect and Urban Renewal
Testing a diversity of low- and medium-rise dwelling models for precinct-scaled infill redevelopment.
Towards a New Development Model for Housing Regeneration in Greyfield Regeneration Precincts
Improving the effectiveness of infill development.
Additional research
Proposition 2065
Winning competition entry for Proposition 2065, in collaboration with Hayball Architects proposed a small-grain approach to the large-scale development.
Greyfield Precincts
Funded by AHURI, in collaboration with Swinburne University.
Dual occupancy redevelopment is rapidly transforming our suburbs lot by lot. The greyfield precinct design model proposes an alternative development approach that operates across several non-contiguous allotments. ‘Dispersed’ precincts of this kind offer an economy of scale associated with large consolidated projects, while responding to the realities of small scale building practices prevalent in these regions of our cities.
architectureau.com/articles/renovating-the-suburbs-1/
Greyfield Precincts
Funded by AHURI, in collaboration with Swinburne University.
Dual occupancy redevelopment is rapidly transforming our suburbs lot by lot. The greyfield precinct design model proposes an alternative development approach that operates across several non-contiguous allotments. ‘Dispersed’ precincts of this kind offer an economy of scale associated with large consolidated projects, while responding to the realities of small scale building practices prevalent in these regions of our cities.
architectureau.com/articles/renovating-the-suburbs-1/
Greyfield Precincts
Funded by AHURI, in collaboration with Swinburne University.
Dual occupancy redevelopment is rapidly transforming our suburbs lot by lot. The greyfield precinct design model proposes an alternative development approach that operates across several non-contiguous allotments. ‘Dispersed’ precincts of this kind offer an economy of scale associated with large consolidated projects, while responding to the realities of small scale building practices prevalent in these regions of our cities.
architectureau.com/articles/renovating-the-suburbs-1/
An evolving (sub)urbanism – PhD
This thesis argues that Melbourne’s suburbs could better adapt to changing environmental and social needs if residential areas were considered with the same level of spatial complexity as more urbanised centres. By shifting the typical frame of spatial inquiry from the private dwelling to the physical thresholds in between dwellings, the research examines the lived qualities of contemporary suburbs at a collective level. Design speculations investigate how the assembly of semi-public spaces in residential areas could facilitate a range of social economies as catalysts for ongoing transformations. The capacity of the residential fabric to adapt to, and potentially affect, broader suburban change reveals new design possibilities in an evolving (sub)urbanism.
An evolving (sub)urbanism – PhD
This thesis argues that Melbourne’s suburbs could better adapt to changing environmental and social needs if residential areas were considered with the same level of spatial complexity as more urbanised centres. By shifting the typical frame of spatial inquiry from the private dwelling to the physical thresholds in between dwellings, the research examines the lived qualities of contemporary suburbs at a collective level. Design speculations investigate how the assembly of semi-public spaces in residential areas could facilitate a range of social economies as catalysts for ongoing transformations. The capacity of the residential fabric to adapt to, and potentially affect, broader suburban change reveals new design possibilities in an evolving (sub)urbanism.
An evolving (sub)urbanism – PhD
This thesis argues that Melbourne’s suburbs could better adapt to changing environmental and social needs if residential areas were considered with the same level of spatial complexity as more urbanised centres. By shifting the typical frame of spatial inquiry from the private dwelling to the physical thresholds in between dwellings, the research examines the lived qualities of contemporary suburbs at a collective level. Design speculations investigate how the assembly of semi-public spaces in residential areas could facilitate a range of social economies as catalysts for ongoing transformations. The capacity of the residential fabric to adapt to, and potentially affect, broader suburban change reveals new design possibilities in an evolving (sub)urbanism.
An evolving (sub)urbanism – PhD
This thesis argues that Melbourne’s suburbs could better adapt to changing environmental and social needs if residential areas were considered with the same level of spatial complexity as more urbanised centres. By shifting the typical frame of spatial inquiry from the private dwelling to the physical thresholds in between dwellings, the research examines the lived qualities of contemporary suburbs at a collective level. Design speculations investigate how the assembly of semi-public spaces in residential areas could facilitate a range of social economies as catalysts for ongoing transformations. The capacity of the residential fabric to adapt to, and potentially affect, broader suburban change reveals new design possibilities in an evolving (sub)urbanism.
An evolving (sub)urbanism – PhD
This thesis argues that Melbourne’s suburbs could better adapt to changing environmental and social needs if residential areas were considered with the same level of spatial complexity as more urbanised centres. By shifting the typical frame of spatial inquiry from the private dwelling to the physical thresholds in between dwellings, the research examines the lived qualities of contemporary suburbs at a collective level. Design speculations investigate how the assembly of semi-public spaces in residential areas could facilitate a range of social economies as catalysts for ongoing transformations. The capacity of the residential fabric to adapt to, and potentially affect, broader suburban change reveals new design possibilities in an evolving (sub)urbanism.
An evolving (sub)urbanism – PhD
This thesis argues that Melbourne’s suburbs could better adapt to changing environmental and social needs if residential areas were considered with the same level of spatial complexity as more urbanised centres. By shifting the typical frame of spatial inquiry from the private dwelling to the physical thresholds in between dwellings, the research examines the lived qualities of contemporary suburbs at a collective level. Design speculations investigate how the assembly of semi-public spaces in residential areas could facilitate a range of social economies as catalysts for ongoing transformations. The capacity of the residential fabric to adapt to, and potentially affect, broader suburban change reveals new design possibilities in an evolving (sub)urbanism.
Infill Opportunities
Commissioned by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect.
This project investigated smaller and more flexible housing types design for suburban infill. The research demonstrated the regulatory and industry shifts that would be required to achieve better outcomes than typical dual occupancy redevelopment.
Report: OVGA website
Infill Opportunities
Commissioned by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect.
This project investigated smaller and more flexible housing types design for suburban infill. The research demonstrated the regulatory and industry shifts that would be required to achieve better outcomes than typical dual occupancy redevelopment.
Report: OVGA website
Infill Opportunities
Commissioned by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect.
This project investigated smaller and more flexible housing types design for suburban infill. The research demonstrated the regulatory and industry shifts that would be required to achieve better outcomes than typical dual occupancy redevelopment.
Report: OVGA website
Intensifying Places, ARC Linkage Project
Collaborative research project with Melbourne University and several government and industry partners.
Intensifying Places reconsiders, tests and develops a number of architectural and urban design proposals for more intensive redevelopment of activity centres, train stations and transport corridors within existing metropolitan areas.
Report
APO 20-minute cities paper
Intensifying Places, ARC Linkage Project
Collaborative research project with Melbourne University and several government and industry partners.
Intensifying Places reconsiders, tests and develops a number of architectural and urban design proposals for more intensive redevelopment of activity centres, train stations and transport corridors within existing metropolitan areas.
Report
APO 20-minute cities paper
Redcliffe Connect Precinct Design Research
Commissioned by the Government of Western Australia – Department of Communities, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia.
The state and local government were interested in promoting better housing intensification models than currently offered by the development market, and in implementing a regulatory regime that enables higher quality, more sustainable design outcomes.
Redcliffe Connect Precinct Design Research
Commissioned by the Government of Western Australia – Department of Communities, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia.
The state and local government were interested in promoting better housing intensification models than currently offered by the development market, and in implementing a regulatory regime that enables higher quality, more sustainable design outcomes.
Redcliffe Connect Precinct Design Research
Commissioned by the Government of Western Australia – Department of Communities, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia.
The state and local government were interested in promoting better housing intensification models than currently offered by the development market, and in implementing a regulatory regime that enables higher quality, more sustainable design outcomes.
Lee-Anne Khor, Night view: speculative redevelopment of the Nylex silos site in Richmond
An urban intervention designed to generate spatial variation across a number of scales.
Lee-Anne Khor, 3D wax print
Study model for a lattice spatial/structural system