MADA at Melbourne Design Week 2026: From AI to Housing Reforms

What role will artificial intelligence play in the creative industries? Is Australia prepared for a quantum future? And how can Victoria’s urban planning reforms deliver better housing outcomes?

Researchers from Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) tackled these big questions at Melbourne Design Week in May.

MADA research labs presented a total of 26 exhibitions, workshops and talks with industry partners and students across venues including the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), the Victorian Pride Centre and Monash University’s Caulfield campus.

Emerging technologies and AI

Future Building: Making Buildings Better, led by Associate Professor Duncan Maxwell, explained how AI is transforming construction by improving building quality and accelerating decarbonisation.

Associate Professor Leah Heiss, Professor Sarah Pink and Dr Debora Lanzeni led Designing Quantum Futures, exploring how quantum technologies could shape everyday life over the next decade, from employment and healthcare to banking and transport.

Professor Jon McCormack and Dr Rowan Page examined the impact of generative AI on creative industries in their showcase, Design, Creativity and AI.

Professor McCormack said that with the introduction of AI we’ve entered a new phase of human history.

“Machines can now act more independently, creating images, designs, films and music, and that's pushing us to rethink what creativity means and what a creative practice is,” Professor McCormack said.

“No one knows exactly where this is headed, but by the end of this panel, we hope you’ll have a clearer sense of what the future might hold.”

Sustainable urban planning and transport

Senior Lecturer Katherine Sundermann’s workshop, Beyond Rezoning: Delivering Liveable Neighbourhoods, investigated whether we can build more homes near public transport, while creating healthier and more liveable communities.

As Melbourne’s population grows and urban growth boundaries expand, Associate Professor Robbie Napper’s panel discussion asked key questions about what the future of Melbourne’s transport will look like.

Professor Mel Dodd, Dean of Monash Art, Design and Architecture, said the researchers are combining their creative practice with emerging technologies to address urban and social challenges.

“At MADA, our research is focused on the big issues shaping Australia’s future, from AI and housing to transport and liveability,” Professor Dodd said.

“Melbourne Design Week provided a powerful platform to showcase how architecture, design and creative research can inform policy, industry and everyday life.”