Invisible Lines

This studio seeks to understand the ‘invisible’ lines drawn in urban environments, and how non-tangible dynamics shape one of the most public of spaces - the footpath. In addition to material space, cities are also formed through social and political dynamics and these govern the ways spaces are appropriated and territorialized.

The studio will investigate relationships between space, place and power. Students will explore the socio-cultural effects of public space through a multidisciplinary lens. Students will participate in workshops and seminars facilitated by researchers in urban planning and anthropology, and the concepts and methodologies studied in these sessions will inform their architectural projects.

The site of study is Footscray, which is rapidly densifying, but open public space is scarce. Within this context, the studio frames footpaths as an important public space, however multiple interests and fragmented governance means that footpaths are contested and politicised.

The studio asks, how can architects better understand the invisible lines in our urban environments to design public spaces which are just?

Students will work in groups throughout the semester and undertake three design exercises at different scales which respond to the studio theme of Critical Observation and Proposition. These are:

  • Redesign of a street
  • A public pavillion
  • A series of micro-public spaces for Footscray