In Circle s

Neighbourhood scale communications infrastructures form a terminus point for global networks of complex information. In 2021 Tesltra outlined a roadmap to repurpose 650 of its 10 000 defunct telephone exchange sites into ‘edge computing’ centres. These sites were mostly designed by the federal government’s Public Works Department for the Postmaster General’s Department prior to the advent of the internet and Telstra’s privatisation. Our brief will speculate on how these sites can be densified to include working & living spaces anchored by a public realm that engages this working program.

The studio will employ nontraditional methods of site analysis through found ephemera, layered and intertwined history, aesthetics, material culture, research and critique. The active archive will be a place to collect objects, surfaces, case studies allowing unexpected relationships to occur and influence our approach to practice. In Circles will seek new spatial opportunities through novel procedures of documenting, cutting, recording and reassembling.

These procedures will form the basis of a vocabulary of representational tools, geared towards the twinned presentation techniques of architecture school - the Panel (Active Archive) & Presentation (Short Film)

Weeks 1-6 will be focussed on introducing and establishing these two modes of communication. Weeks 7-10 will involve high level discussion around key themes. We will visit site multiple times throughout the semester.

We will search for a medium specific role for the moving image in architecture, and will teach you how to use a suite of tools including full motion Enscape outcomes, stop motion V-Ray diagrams & assemblages of found media constructed in Premiere Pro. Soundscapes & music will form a key part of these presentations - as we attempt to understand the spatial conveyances of a medium unrestricted by the frame.

Fundamentally we are interested in the opportunity presented by public infrastructure to broaden the scope of a shared narrative around repair & ethical development. If it can be made to work harder to generate meaningful public placesthen this status can be leveraged to contribute to a sense of collective urgency.

Data Centre / Mixed Use

W1-W14 Tuesday 6pm

W1-4 Rotating Pairs W5-14 Independent