Robin Rao

The project is located in Fishermans Bend, Melbourne—an area rich in industrial history that has played a significant role in the city’s development and in Australia’s industrial heritage.

Architecturally, the design centers on a celebration of industrial architecture through the use of geometric forms and robust materials. The two primary buildings—one serving as the museum to represent the past, the other as the skill hub to symbolize the future—are linked by a symbolic bridge and an exposed dome, embodying the connection between history, present, and future. This symbolism is central to the project, visually reinforcing the continuity of industry and innovation at Fishermans Bend.

This project honors the history that has shaped Fishermans Bend into the industrial precinct it is today. The design process integrates urban design principles at a micro-scale, incorporating activated facades to create engaging public interfaces. The first collage examines how Melbourne celebrates its arts and culture precincts while often overlooking the city’s rich manufacturing heritage and its positive impact on employment. The second collage highlights a gap between the legacy of manufacturing and its future potential, which the project seeks to bridge with a skills transition center, fostering a continuum between past achievements and future ambitions in industrial innovation.

The project draws inspiration from the concept of an assembly line, paying homage to the Holden factory that marked Fishermans Bend’s industrial rise. Like an assembly line guiding a product through its journey, the project shapes the visitor’s experience in the museum, where each stage reveals a distinct chapter in the precinct’s story. The circulation bridge carries visitors through every level of the museum, with each level depicting a separate era of Fishermans Bend’s manufacturing legacy. By the end, visitors will have traveled through the area's industrial past, present, and future.

The project serves as both a museum and a skills transition hub, celebrating Fishermans Bend’s industrial legacy while equipping the local workforce with advanced manufacturing skills. The museum highlights the area’s historical significance, while the learning hub acts as a training center for future manufacturing opportunities. The Perspective Section illustrates Building B, featuring advanced manufacturing technology spaces on the ground floor, alongside theory learning, collaborative study areas, and a student lounge above. This perspective captures how architecture can transform Fishermans Bend, challenging its stigma and celebrating its vibrant industrial heritage.