Cultureberg

A public mountain to cultivate the spirit in Melbourne CBD

In the era of privatization, investment in art production and the management of its consumption depends increasingly on the private sector. The aim of this architectural project and studio is to explore how public space can present an alternative to support cultural activity. Students are expected to generate an innovative programmatic response within a feasible context. The design process will be directed towards the architectural definition of the program and the tectonic development of the architectural project synthesising the original concept.

The project is to design a mountain in Melbourne CBD combining three programs: production of culture, consumption of culture and a public garden. The studio will focus on the definition of local and migrant cultures and their relation to public space to propose an environment that feeds creative behaviour.

Following the conceptual articulation of the programs, students will engage in a morphological process, designing a topography in relation with the activity and the interior space under the mountain. This process will involve material explorations, the making of form-finding physical models and consistent geometrical analysis and definition. Students will be lead to study the structure of large scale public buildings in order to design and integrate a structural order and solution in their project. The studio will study and apply technical and sustainable systems for roof-top gardens, water collection and irrigation. Further development of the project will integrate structural and material resolution in a tectonic master section, capable of delivering the technical and experiential qualities of the design.