Where Do We Go From Here

Where Do We Go from Here aims to critically reflect on the design, layout, and functions of commercial towers. The studio will explore radical adaptive ideas to unlock the hidden potential in ageing buildings by developing speculative projects with hybrid typologies that allow architecture to act in meaningful, interesting, fun yet grounded and contextual ways.

The site for the studio is 1 Spring Street (Shell House) on the corner of Spring and Flinders streets in Melbourne CBD. Designed by Harry Seidler in 1989, the site is an active urban corner bounded by parkland, laneways, rail tracks as well as residential and commercial towers. On street level - public plaza, bike lanes, footpaths, tram lines, driveways and three building entries (that connect Flinders Street, Spring Street & Flinders Lane) are all interconnected and form part of the wider urban networks that contribute to the city life. These urban and architectural elements provide a testing ground for the students final projects.

Responding to current pressing issues (be it social, political or environmental) the students projects are developed to challenge the current societal norms, preconceived regulations/ limitations and building constraints. Through iterative designs, architectural films, key text and 3D spatial drawings, students are encouraged to explore new typologies that reflect their research and are inspired by the collective memory of Melbourne CBD. These include sobering up facilities, vertical market & farming, reformed police station & rehabilitation centre, vertical skatepark & entertainment precinct, flexible BTR & social housing amongst others.

Studio Leader: Jack Lee

Image: Where Do We Go From Here - Week 03 Henry Gany