The Urbanism of Walls

In this studio, we will study the connection between material and the urban environment through the lens of walls, specifically in residential construction. This is a sequal to The Urbanism of Walls (2021 Master Studio) with a specific focus this time around on studying and learning from buildings and construction practices from Japan.

The studio will begin with collecting, cataloging, documenting, 3d modelling and testing existing and historic approaches to modular wall construction. In the parallel studies unit taught by Marika Neustupny you will document in detail case study buildings from the Edo Period, Modern, Post-War and contemporary precedents, vernacular and architectural and consider the ways in which pre-fabrication, modular design, and componetisation influence the dimensions, quality and tectonics of space.

In parallel, we will explore the principles of circularity and undertake life-cycle analysis of common wall construction materials. You will then design an urban/material logic that informs a construction system, specifically for a Melbourne context, and apply this to the design of a new multi-residential project. This studio is research-led, running in parallel with a Building 4.0 CRC project on componentised wall systems. Students will have opportunities to present to, and gain feedback from industry partners, to study examples of pre-fabrication under construction and undertake site visits to existing exemplars in a Melbourne context.

The studio will run on Wednesdays, 9.30am till 4.30pm.
Paired with studies unit taught by Marika Neustupny (Mondays 2.00-5.00pm)