2025 ARC3002 Folio

ARC3002 Vertical Studio 09 ROW: Re-writes of Way Final Folio

Claudia Lynn Chong 29228301

Contents Page

03

WK01 Task 01: Critical Mapping

09

WK02 Task 02: What is Country?

14

WK03 Task 03: Waterways of Knowing

18

WK04 Task 04: Neighbours and their Hoods

27

WK04 Neighbourhood stroll around Clifton Hill

34

WK05 Early Ideas Workshop

39

WK05 Early Ideas Workshop Debrief

40

WK05 Plan of Action (Individual & Studio)

Contents Page

46

WK06

52

WK07

55

WK08

58

WK09

60

WK10 Student-led Pinup

61

WK11

65

WK12

67

Final Salon

69

Final Drawings

Aim: To begin to understand the connection of a project to its site and context, we must frst learn how to fnd and investigate the vast depth of history, data and qualities that a site can hold. We also need to have a deeper understanding of our place and relationship to a project and its site.

WK01 Task 01: Critical Mapping Site analysis of home

Task: Using the mapping tools and resources above, and individual site analysis, work up a detailed understanding of your own home and neighbourhood in Melbourne (or, if you have come to Melbourne from elsewhere in Victoria, feel free to investigate that place!).

Investigate both tangible and intangible qualities and consider how to illustrate and communicate your understanding to the studio.

Some prompts for the less tangible data you could map/ diagram from your physical site analyses: • Animal sightings/ sounds • Vegetation cover/ shade/ qualities of vegetated vs non-vegetated areas • Smells • Climate • Sounds • Natural movement/ desire paths • Connections to waterways

Task 01: Critical Mapping 01 Site Analysis of home

brightly lit warmest areas

Task 01: Critical Mapping 01

shaded coolest areas

Site Analysis of home

Claremont Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

highest volume of noise personal frequent path

1:10000

most common plant Black Nightshade

most common animal Silver Gull

Task 01: Critical Mapping 02 Site Analysis of home

Yarr

a Riv

er

Newer Volcanic Group - basalt flows (Neo)

Coode Island Silt (Qyc)

Melbourne Formation (Sxm)

Alluvium (Qa1)

Colluvium (Qc1)

Red Bluff Sandstone (Nbr) Claremont Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

1:10000

Task 01: Critical Mapping 03.1 Site Analysis of home

Yarr

a Riv

er

plants animals The Traditional Owners of the land that the site is located on are the Wurundjeri People.

Claremont Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

Biodiversity: Habitat value of the site

1:10000

Wurundjeri Woi Wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

Task 01: Critical Mapping 04

Site Analysis of home Darling Gardens at night

Observation of the stars and the connection I felt to the Country

Bird calls and scuffles between Silver Gulls in the trees

Large Bent-Winged Bats flying overhead sighted in the area

Foliage of English Oak Trees framed the night sky

Darling Gardens is a brisk 11 minute walk from my home and is the closest park and access to nature that I can walk to, where felt a close connection to flora, fauna and the land I am on 81 Alexandra Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141

WK01 Task 01: Critical Mapping 03 to 03.1 Site Analysis of home

Task 01: Critical Mapping 03.1 Site Analysis of home

Yarr

a Riv

er

The Traditional Owners of the land that the site is located on are the Wurundjeri People.

Wurundjeri Woi Wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

Feedback from pin-up:

Claremont Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

Biodiversity: Habitat value of the site

• could use Atlas of Living to add what types of biodiversity are concentrated in the high habitat value areas (can use different colours)

1:10000

Changes made: • I added another layer to represent the sightings of various plants and animals

Task 01: Critical Mapping 03.1 Site Analysis of home

Yarr

a Riv

er

plants animals The Traditional Owners of the land that the site is located on are the Wurundjeri People.

Claremont Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

Biodiversity: Habitat value of the site

1:10000

Wurundjeri Woi Wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

WK02 Task 02: What is Country?

Connection to Country

Task: Students will work together to produce a brief summary of a key reading relating to Indigenous perspective in the built environment, in particular in relation to Country. Students must identify and discuss, at a minimum: • What is your understanding of Country?

• What is your understanding of Connection to Country?

• Outline the diferences between ‘Designing with Country’ and ‘Caring for Country’ protocols • What is your understanding of reciprocity, relationality and equitability?

WK02 Task 02: What is Country?

Reading: An Approach for Engaging with Country by Dr Danièle Hromek

First iteration

We divided the takeaways from the reading into three points and made our collages focusing on one point each.

Connection to Country

Understanding Country (Helen) • ‘Country’ refers to land, waters, and skies as living, spiritual entities — not just geography.

• Aboriginal people’s relationship with Country is cultural, spiritual, and reciprocal.

Decolonization (Claudia) • Colonization disrupted Aboriginal connections to Country through imposed land ownership systems.

• Integrating Aboriginal laws into the legal system can help restore Indigenous land rights and cultural relationships.

Indigenous Design & Planning (Charli) • Aboriginal land management, like cool burning, reflects sustainable practices.

• Design and architecture should align with Indigenous values, viewing buildings as part of Country.

• Respect for Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) is essential.

Feedback from pin-up • good visible and cohesive development of ideas through the 3 posters • interesting that eaech person brings a different perspective to Country • shows the different roles that people have in terms of how we respect Country and design with Country • a bit grim Changes to be made Overall group: • better graphical cohesion

Posters to be interpreted from bottom to top.

Bottom Poster (Helen): What is Country to us Middle Poster (Claudia): Colonisation and perseverance of Country Top Poster: How to respect Country

Personal: • swap out white hands for black hands • the painting (Australia through a Western lens by a White painter) should be changed to something with less of a colonial background ie. a painting

Changes made:

WK02 Task 02: What is Country?

Connection to Country

• swapped out white hands for black hands to better represent Aboriginal Peoples • the painting (Australia through a Western lens by a White painter) was changed to a painting

by Albert Namatjira, an Arrernte artist from the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, who is regarded as one of Australia’s most significant painters.

• the colourscheme was also swapped for black and white with one feature colour for graphic cohesion with the group

Design precedents & moodboard for cohesive graphic expression for the group

Albert Namatjira Macdonnell Ranges at Hevitree Gap (early 1950s) watercolour Sourced from National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Second iteration

WK02 Task 02: What is Country?

Connection to Country

Helen’s first iteration

COLLAGE

Charli’s first iteration

COLLAGE

Helen’s second iteration

Charli’s second iteration

WK02 Task 02: What is Country?

Connection to Country

After receiving my groupmates second iterations of their works, I then made small tweaks in order to arrange our collages together as a timeline.

WK03 Task 03: Waterways of Knowing

Preamble: Waterways are a living entity and a vital part of Country, often hosting songlines on their banks, providing food sources and housing plants species that provide myriad uses, and sites of cultural significance where trade and commerce, ceremony and celebration may have occurred. They are protected, respected, and seen as vital, living entities rather than just resources for exploitation.

Since colonisation, rivers and creeks have been polluted, rerouted or underground, swamps buried, habitats destroyed, delicate banks cleared and built upon and cities have turned their backs on invaluable sources of travel, living and knowing.

By learning about the waterways that live and sustain life in our region, we can develop a greater appreciation for how our neighbourhoods connect to rivers and oceans and the care we must take for them when we think about building.

Task: Working in groups, and using the mapping tools and your own resources from Tasks 01 and 02, students will investigate, understand and map all waterways from their heads that lead to Nerrm/ Port Philip Bay and Bass Strait, between Torquay in the east to Inverloch in the west. Areas will be divided between the groups.

Create a neat, visually effective map that identifies the following characteristics: • Creeks/ tributaries etc • Swamps/ marshlands/ lakes etc • Undergrounded waterways • Salt vs fresh water • Registered Aboriginal Parties (bonus points: specific sites of cultural significance) • Councils (bonus points: who is responsible for the waterway eg. state, LGA, Vicroads) • EVCs and geological regions • Flora and fauna

WK03 Task 03: WaterWays of Knowing Our group was assigned the area between Torquay and Lara. The Traditional Owners of this land are the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, as well as the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Through our research, we discovered that waterways are sacred to the Aboriginal people. Water is a sacred source of life, and connected to Aboriginal spirituality and culture. The rivers are the veins of Country, and through them water flows to sustain all parts of the landscape.

Aboriginal people have rights and obligations to care for and protect these waterways, as a part of their care for Country. The area encompasses three bioregions - the Victorian Volcanic Plain, The Central Victorian Uplands and the Otway Plain.

We used Nearmap to roughly map out the area and divide the drawings up between the three of us - Charli taking 5 and 6, myself taking 3 and 4, and Helen taking 1 and 2.

WK03 Task 03: WaterWays of Knowing

Feedback from first iteration

• any significant cultural sites along these waterways?

• are there towns or cities at the head of any waterways?

• think about how you can incorporate significant flora & fauna information into the map in a relevant way (not just dots or icons please) - this could tie into your research into the source of life for First Nations peoples - what else apart from water sustained life along these waterways?

• add some info on towns and LGAs that these rivers/ creeks run through • do the characteristics of the bioregions give suggestions as to the nature of the waterways - are there more branches at higher altitude or through different vegetation landscapes? something to look into maybe.

­

­ ­

­ ­

­

First Iteration, NTS

WK03 Task 03: WaterWays of Knowing Feedback from second iteration • • • •

What’s interesting/relevant about the lakes in Southwest?

Map Waterways further to their ends More detailed blowups that connect/explain the flora & fauna in the area (Peer feedback) If extending the map, consider including Lake Bolac - gathering point for Traditional Elders

­

­

­

Second Iteration, NTS

Preamble: Now that we’ve developed an understanding of Country, waterways and our personal connections to these; as well as our own neighbourhoods, we now turn our attention to the neighbourhoods of inner northern Melbourne to learn what our streets do well, what they lack, and understand how Country fits in to our contemporary homes and communities. This task will form the basis for Week 5’s ideas workshop and ultimately the formation of our studio’s final project site selection and programme.

WK04 Task 04: Neighbours and their Hoods

Task: Using the researching, mapping and collaging skills developed over the first 3 tasks, students will choose a 2-3 block area in an inner Melbourne suburb, and investigate and diagram its qualities based on the following prompts: • » Connection to waterways (this is essential, research area should be selected with this in mind) • » Disused laneways and their characteristics (also essential - ROWs are kinda the name of the game) • » Opportunities to connect to local infrastructure (shops, services, public transport, parks etc) - what is or isn’t readily available in the area?

• » History of the neighbourhood and its growth/ change (use old photos, historical drawings/watercolours, descriptions, maps, illustrations etc) • Next, identify the architectural vernacular of that neighbourhood - housing types and styles, demographics, changes over time, landscaping good and bad (including types of planting - native vs invasive, edible vs ornamental etc), how people use their yards, materials, water management etc.

• » Are there aspects of these local neighbourhood typologies that create or ameliorate loneliness?

Finally, find one or two precedents of contemporary neighbourhood solutions or interventions that you think are successful in some way - related to the above subtasks - and illustrate why.

WK04 Task 04: Neighbours and their Hoods

Reworks of site analyses after WK04 Feedback

Initially, I picked a site in Burnley instead of Richmond as the waterway I wanted to focus on is Burnley Quarry. However, the site was located too far away from the quarry, as that 2-3 block area was the closest area that fit the requirements of being a mainly residential area.

Thus, with Shannon’s advice I decided to rework my site analyses and start anew with a site west of the Burnley Quarry, in Richmond, which borders on the Burnley area.

18min walk

22min walk

Yar

ra R

Burnley Quarry

iver

The new site is situated closer to Burnley Quarry and is also a residential area.

Herring Island

Task 04: Neighbours and their hoods

Inner City Melbourne Suburb

The Traditional Owners of the land that the site is located on are the Wurundjeri People.

Wurundjeri Woi Wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

Jolimont Clay (Qyj)

Biodiversity: Habitat value of the site

Melbourne Formation (Sxm)

Yar

ra R

iver

Task 04: Neighbours and their hoods

Newer Volcanic Group - basalt flows (Neo)

Inner City Melbourne Suburb

Yar

ra R

iver

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000 Burnley Quarry

Cotter Street Laneway

Barkly Gardens

Cit

Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry Laneway between Cotter and Amsterdam Street

Yar

k

ylin

Amsterdam Street Laneway

McConchie Reserve

ra R

iver

Como Park North

Herring Island

The site I’ve chosen is a 3-block low rise residential area that is a 2-3 minute walk away from the Burnley Quarry.

Como Park

Richmond’s historical town planning saw a very structured grid system. In current day, it has strayed slightly from a strict grid in the area east of Barkly Gardens.

Yar

ra R

iver

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

Richmond’s housing stock features mostly low-rise single dwellings - mainly Victorian and Edwardian era terrace houses, converted warehouses, and contemporary residences.

General Residential Zone

Richmond Library 10min walk, 2min drive Dutton Cafeteria 12min walk, 6min drive A cafe in a car showroom where car enthusiasts can meet each other and bond over a shared interest

Neigbourhood Residential Zone Commercial Zone Public Park and Recreation Zone Industrial Zone Public Use Zone Activity Centre Zone Mixed Use Zone

Pillar of Salt Cafe 2min walk, 1min drive

Richmond Primary School

The Richmond Neighbourhood benefits from many zones being in close proximity to each other.

Sustainability Activities: • • • •

Richmond Repair Corner: A place to fix broken items and learn repair skills.

Cheeky Chook Crew: A community group focused on chickens and sustainability.

Burnley Fruit Squad: A group focused on growing and sharing fruit within the community.

Gardening Together: Opportunities to participate in community gardening projects.

Community Composting: Programs and resources for composting.

Barkly Gardens k

ylin

Perhaps the neighbourhood could benefit from more usage of mixed use zones. This would mean that we could include more small cafes and restaurants interspersed on the same block with small parks and gardens and residential areas.

•

Richmond Neighbourhood Centre 23min walk, 5min drive Community Centre with recreation & community activities

Brighton Street Early Learning 1min walk, 1min drive Childcare Centre

Cit

Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry

Yar

ra R

iver

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

McConchie Reserve

Top Paddock Cafe 7min walk, 2min drive

Herring Island

Como Park North

Wellbeing and Creativity: • • • •

Mosaic Classes: Learn the art of mosaic creation.

Leathercrafting: Explore leather crafting techniques.

Singing: Participate in singing groups or workshops.

Furniture Restoration: Learn how to restore and repurpose furniture.

Other Activities: • •

Learn Local Digital Technology: Gain confidence with computers and smartphones through digital skills classes.

Playgroups: Join playgroups for children and parents to connect.

Closest Train Stations

Closest Tram Stops

Como Park

Burnley Bouldering Wall 11min walk, 4min drive The bouldering wall acts as a place for community to gather and mingle while doing a physical activity

Toorak/South Yarra Library 21min walk, 4min drive

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

Richmond is served by a comprehensive water management system that includes water supply, sewerage, drainage, and flood mitigation. This system is collaboratively managed by several organisations, including Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water, and Yarra Valley Water.

Mostly non-native flora, European-styled garden

Greater Western Water provides water and wastewater services to Richmond while Melbourne Water manages the broader water supply system, which includes catchments, storage reservoirs, and distribution networks that deliver high-quality drinking water to the area.

Melbourne Water is responsible for managing rivers, creeks, floodplains, and the regional drainage system in Richmond. Property owners contribute to this through the Waterways and Drainage Charge, which funds the maintenance and improvement of these systems to mitigate flood risks and enhance environmental health.

In response to declining water storage levels, the Victorian government reactivated the Wonthaggi desalination plant to supply an additional 50 billion litres of water.

Barkly Gardens

Cit

Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry Newer Volcanic Group - basalt flows (Neo)

Coode Island Silt (Qyc)

k

ylin

Mostly native flora, Nature Reserves

Yar

ra R

iver

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

McConchie Reserve

Herring Island

Como Park North

Melbourne Formation (Sxm)

Alluvium (Qa1)

Como Park

Colluvium (Qc1)

Red Bluff Sandstone (Nbr)

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

plants animals The Traditional Owners of the land that the site is located on are the Wurundjeri People.

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

Biodiversity: Habitat value of the site

1:10000

Wurundjeri Woi Wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

WK04 Task 04: Neighbours and their Hoods

Reworks of site analyses after WK05 Early Ideas Workshop

The site I’ve chosen is a 3-block low rise residential area that is a 2-3 minute walk away from the Burnley Quarry

General Residential Zone Neigbourhood Residential Zone Commercial Zone

Burnley Quarry

Public Park and Recreation Zone Industrial Zone

Cotter Street Laneway

Public Use Zone Activity Centre Zone Mixed Use Zone

Barkly Gardens k

ylin

Amsterdam Street Laneway

Cit

The Richmond Neighbourhood benefits from many zones being in close proximity to each other.

Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry Laneway between Cotter and Amsterdam Street

It is rather interesting how the Burnley Quarry area remains industrial, and in very close proximity to public park and recreation zones and neighbourhood residential zones.

Yar

ra R

iver

Como Park

Richmond’s housing stock features mostly low-rise single dwellings - mainly Victorian and Edwardian era terrace houses, converted warehouses, and contemporary residences

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

Dutton Cafeteria 12min walk, 6min drive A cafe in a car showroom where car enthusiasts can meet each other and bond over a shared interest

Commercial Zone

Burnley Quarry

Public Park and Recreation Zone

Public Use Zone

Pillar of Salt Cafe 2min walk, 1min drive

Richmond Primary School

The Richmond Neighbourhood benefits from many zones being in close proximity to each other.

Sustainability Activities: • • • •

Richmond Repair Corner: A place to fix broken items and learn repair skills.

Cheeky Chook Crew: A community group focused on chickens and sustainability.

Burnley Fruit Squad: A group focused on growing and sharing fruit within the community.

Gardening Together: Opportunities to participate in community gardening projects.

Community Composting: Programs and resources for composting.

Cotter Street Laneway

Barkly Gardens

Barkly Gardens k

ylin

Perhaps the neighbourhood could benefit from more usage of mixed use zones. This would mean that we could include more small cafes and restaurants interspersed on the same block with small parks and gardens and residential areas.

•

Richmond Neighbourhood Centre 23min walk, 5min drive Community Centre with recreation & community activities

Brighton Street Early Learning 1min walk, 1min drive Childcare Centre

Industrial Zone

Mixed Use Zone

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

Richmond Library 10min walk, 2min drive

Neigbourhood Residential Zone

Activity Centre Zone

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

Como Park North

Herring Island

Perhaps the neighbourhood could benefit from more usage of mixed use zones. This would mean that we could include more small cafes and restaurants interspersed on the same block with small parks and gardens and residential areas.

General Residential Zone

iver

McConchie Reserve

ra R

I find that the neighbourhood could benefit from commercial, residential, and public park and residential zones being interspersed with each other, rather than being blocks apart from each other.

Yar

Cit

Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry

ra R

iver

Cit

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

Laneway between Cotter and Amsterdam Street

Herring Island

Yar

Como Park North

Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry

McConchie Reserve

Top Paddock Cafe 7min walk, 2min drive

k

ylin

Amsterdam Street Laneway Yar

McConchie Reserve

ra R

iver

Yar

ra R

iver

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

Richmond’s housing stock features mostly low-rise single dwellings - mainly Victorian and Edwardian era terrace houses, converted warehouses, and contemporary residences.

Como Park North

Herring Island

Wellbeing and Creativity: • • • •

Mosaic Classes: Learn the art of mosaic creation.

Leathercrafting: Explore leather crafting techniques.

Singing: Participate in singing groups or workshops.

Furniture Restoration: Learn how to restore and repurpose furniture.

Other Activities: • •

Learn Local Digital Technology: Gain confidence with computers and smartphones through digital skills classes.

Playgroups: Join playgroups for children and parents to connect.

Closest Train Stations

Closest Tram Stops

Como Park

Burnley Bouldering Wall 11min walk, 4min drive The bouldering wall acts as a place for community to gather and mingle while doing a physical activity

Tookark/South Yarra Library 21min walk, 4min drive

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

At the workshop, I only had a draft version of my zoning map. With advice, I then used a drawing of the map on Rhino instead of the low quality screenshot taken from VicPlan to show the zoning on the site. I also added more details about the surroundings of the site such as community centres, libraries, cafes, childcare centres, and public transport.

The site I’ve chosen is a 3-block low rise residential area that is a 2-3 minute walk away from the Burnley Quarry.

Como Park

Richmond’s historical town planning saw a very structured grid system. In current day, it has strayed slightly from a strict grid in the area east of Barkly Gardens.

In the first workshop activity, a guest tutor suggested that I place more focus on the historical maps of the site. Hence I added a layer of historical maps using PROV Map Warper while referencing the website she recommended for historical maps of Melbourne.

Figure Ground Drawing of Site 01

WK04 Task 04: Neighbours and their Hoods

Unbuilt areas Built areas & nature Site area

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

Figure Ground Drawing of Site 02

WK04 Task 04: Neighbours and their Hoods

Context buildings Site buildings Public spaces Yarra River

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

WK04 Neighbourhood stroll around Clifton Hill

To further our exploration of lived experiences of “neighbours” in their “hoods” we ventured as a class through the laneways of Clifton Hill.

Clifton Hill is an inner-city suburb located 4 km northeast of Melbourne’s Central Business District, within the City of Yarra. As of the 2021 census, it had a population of 6,606.

The area predominantly consists of single and double-storey Victorian and Edwardian-era homes, including both free-standing houses and semiattached terraces. Much of the suburb is now protected under heritage planning controls.

Ways of Water in Clifton Hill • Clifton Hill, particularly its lower-lying areas near Merri Creek and the Yarra River, was prone to severe flooding throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

• The natural topography of the area, combined with heavy rainfall, often led to overflow from the waterways, inundating houses, roads, and industrial sites.

• To address persistent flooding, extensive drainage works were undertaken in the early 20th century. The Moonee Ponds Creek and Merri Creek were widened and deepened to improve water flow.

• The construction of the Eastern Freeway in the 1970s significantly altered the landscape. The freeway project included stormwater drainage improvements to reduce the risk of flooding in Clifton Hill.

Clifton Hill, Victoria 3068 Image from Nearmap

WK04 Neighbourhood stroll around Clifton Hill

To begin the exploration of the neighbourhood, we all met up at Collingwood Leisure Centre. From there we explores various back alleys and laneways, observing what makes laneways regularly used or disused.

In the pictures I took on the left, I observed the general feelings experienced in these laneways. We took account of where they lead (dead-ends, turns, split paths), and what we materials or flora & fauna we observed in these laneways.

They were mostly empty for us to explore, of course with the exception of our class snooping around and taking pictures of anything and everything we found interesting or useful.

The laneways went from walking through a railway crossing with the highest foot traffic, to lesser populated small alleyways, their ground going from concrete paths, to blue stone with unmanaged weeds growing out of them. Does looking worn out mean that a place was well loved? Or is it simply just neglected?

We began asking ourselves the questions: what factors make us like a laneway and want to use them more in our daily travel?

In the next few pages I elaborate on a few factors I observed: • Decorative and fruit plants • Unkemptness and overgrowth • “THIS BUILDING IS NOT ABANDONED” • Shade and foliage • Personal touches

WK04 Neighbourhood stroll around Clifton Hill

Algerian Ivy

Common Fig

Citrus Australis

Decorativve and fruit plants Our class was pleasantly surprised by the alleyways, overflowing with greenery. Though planted on private property, the foliage spills into public laneways, creating a lush yet homely feel.

These privately planted, non-native plants have an intentionality to their presence, of which the same cannot be said for the weeds growing on the pavements and walls. They were put there for a purpose to beautify and, for the fruiting plants, to feed.

Jacaranda Tree

Virginia Creeper (poisonous: rash)

Camellia

• Algerian Ivy (Hedera algeriensis) - A species of evergreen ivy native to the North African coast, including coastal mountains in Algeria. It is considered a weed in Victoria, and is an invasive species.

• Common Fig (Ficus carica) - A species of small shrub native to the Mediterranean region, together with western and southern Asia. It is considered a weed in Victoria, and is an invasive species.

• Citrus Australis (Dooja, round lime) - A large shrub or small tree producing an edible fruit growing in forest margins in the Beenleigh area and northwards, in Queensland, Australia. It is native to Australia.

• Jacaranda Tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia) - A sub-tropical tree native to south-central South America. Though iconic in Australia, it is considered a weed in Victoria, and is an invasive species.

• Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) - A woody, deciduous vine native to eastern and central North America. Though commonly grown as an ornamental climber, it is considered a weed in Victoria, and is an invasive species.

• Camellia - A genus of flowering plants native to tropical and subtropical areas in eastern and southern Asia. While not native to Australia, are generally not considered invasive and thrive in Australian gardens.

WK04 Neighbourhood stroll around Clifton Hill

Unkemptness and overgrowth As we ventured further into the smaller alleyways between residential blocks, I noticed that the concrete paths clear of any weeds or disarray were slowly replaced with blue stone paths with weeds and other unintentional plant-life growing between the stones.

The presence of this fauna is not intentional and could be seen as unsightly or untidy - but at the same time creates a comforting atmosphere.

These plants were not placed there with the intention to beautify or to feed - they simply found their way there, overtaking the manmande materials that were placed over the original ground like blue stone.

These laneways were more “unkempt”, with overgrown weeds, paint chipping off doors, aluniminium cladding that isnt the prettiest facade to look at. However, it creates an atmosphere of being well lived-in. And to some including myself, this atmosphere of being lived-in translates to being well-used, and wellloved.

The unique quality of laneways like this are that they look neglected and yet comforting, as a direct contrast to the other highly curated and decorated parts of a suburb.

“THIS BUILDING IS NOT ABANDONED” One of the buildings our class came across in the inner laneways of the suburb was a run-down industrial building.

The facade of the building showed that it seemed to be abandoned, or at the very least neglected. The large signage of the building displayed that it used to house a building material supplier.

The alumunium cladding was all rusted, with its paint discoloured, the brick wall was chipped with some holes, and the wooden parts of the facade were wellweathered with its layers peeling away. A rusted window was even broken, leaving a large hole.

Despite all clues leading to the building being abandoned, on a door in a small corner, a tiny sign reads “THIS BUILDING IS NOT ABANDONED”.

Here we can see for ourselves, the transformation of this building from industrial use to residential - still leaving its history on its exoskeleton. How do the residents in the neighbourhood see the evolution of the use of this building?

How much has the interior of the building changed if its facade remains the same? Why has this building stayed so worn down? I personally appreciate the uniqueness.

WK04 Neighbourhood stroll around Clifton Hill

Shade and foliage

Personal touches

A factor that I observed in making a laneway attractive for somebody to traverse is its shade.

What makes a home feel like home?

What makes a neighbourhood feel like home? I would say that one of the most important factors in finding comfort in a place is through showing that it is well loved and personal to someone.

The laneways in Clifton Hill are bountiful in tall trees with lush leaves, providing generous shade with its foliage.

However, when we are travelling somewhere, we’re not exactly prone to looking all around at what surrounds us in an alleyway. Heads down on the ground we see the beautiful dappling of light through the foliage of the lush greenery. If we did look all around though, we would see that in these small pockets of laneways, we are surrounded by nature. The leaves frame the sky and dapple the ground.

This aspect of the laneways in Clifton Hill is what I find unique about small laneways as opposed to the main streets we walk down in the CBD for example, where trees are sparse and people and shop fronts seem to be the only thing that surround us.

Perhaps an factor that would entice people to traverse through laneways often would be the addition of plenty of nature and shading. If we were to use native trees, this would not only benefit the biodiversity of the area but also beautify the area, and encourage community interaction.

On our stroll through Cilfton Hill, we saw the usual beautiful gardens with (mostly non-native) flowering plants and beautiful outdoor furnitures. But some of the more unique touches are the stained glass window showing a magpie and a king fisher, a mailbox with a lego set of London inside it, and a well-used and well-loved community basketball hoop in a public laneway.

I found it comforting and interesting to walk by such ornaments and wonder about the people who decorated the area with these objects. Could the person with the stained glass window have a specific attachment to these two particular birds? Are they meaningful to them? Could the London mailbox belong to a recent immigrant from England? Could the basketball hoop been a community effort or did one kind soul decide to place it there for the public to use and enjoy?

Through the little laneways, we get to peek into people’s lives and the little intricacies they think of and enjoy.

WK05 Precedents of successful contemporary neighbourhood solutions or interventions

Offset House is a comceptual architectural project by Other Architects that reimagines the typical Australian suburban home to promote community interaction and sustainability.

• Reconfiguration of Space: The design involves shifting the home’s outer walls inward, reducing interior space and creating semi-public zones like verandas and shared outdoor areas. This transformation encourages social interaction and fosters a sense of community among residents. ​ • Exposure of Timber Framework: By removing external cladding, the home’s timber frame is revealed, highlighting the inherent architectural beauty of standard suburban construction methods. ​ • Sustainability and Efficiency: The reduction in enclosed living space leads to decreased energy consumption, while the newly created outdoor areas enhance natural ventilation and daylighting, contributing to a more sustainable living environment. ​ • Community Integration: Eliminating boundary fences between properties results in shared communal spaces, promoting interaction and collective activities among neighbors. ​ • Critique of Suburban Expansion: Offset House serves as a commentary on the proliferation of large, inefficient suburban homes, proposing an alternative that emphasises adaptability, community, and environmental responsibility.

Surrounded by a permeable outer skin, the new homes no longer require fences

Without fences, vestigial space between houses can be consolidated into a shared commons,

Precedents of successful contemporary neighbourhood solutions or interventions

WK05 Precedents of successful contemporary neighbourhood solutions or interventions Nightingale 1, designed by Breathe Architecture and completed in 2017, is a residential development in Brunswick, Australia, that emphasises community interaction and pays homage to the area’s industrial heritage.

Community Interaction: • Ground-Level Engagement: The building features seating nooks and a semi-public laneway that encourage interaction between residents and the broader Brunswick community. Ground-floor tenancies are occupied by values-aligned organizations, such as Branch Studio Architects and Home.One, a not-for-profit café training homeless individuals in hospitality, fostering a sense of community and social responsibility. ​ • Rooftop Communal Spaces: The rooftop is divided into functional areas that promote communal activities. The northern section includes a shared laundry, water tanks, a potting shed, clotheslines, and productive garden plots. The southern section offers seating nooks, an outdoor dining area, and a lawn space for children to play, facilitating social interaction among residents. ​

Section A

Ground Floor Plan - Community Spaces

Top Floor Plan - Community Spaces

Industrial Heritage: • Architectural Design: Nightingale 1’s design reflects Brunswick’s industrial past.

The use of steel-framed winter gardens echoes traditional warehouse aesthetics, while recycled cream bricks reference the single-story brick warehouses that once characterized the area, seamlessly integrating the building into its historical context. ​ • Material Palette: An honest and simple material palette was prioritized, with elements like recycled timber flooring, exposed concrete structures, and formply joinery, paying tribute to the site’s industrial roots and promoting sustainability.

WK05 Early Ideas Workshop

Public presentation of work-in-progress for collaborative review and formative feedback.

The formative verbal feedback provided at the workshops is the basis for improving and expanding designs in progress.

Task 01: site mapping & layouts Task 02: programming the site

WK05 Workshop Notes

WK05 Workshop Notes

Workshop Task 01: site mapping & layouts

Burnley Quarry

Yarra River Citylink

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:1000

WK05 Workshop Notes

Workshop Task 01: site mapping & layouts

Burnley Quarry

Yarra River Citylink

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:1000

WK05 Workshop Notes

Workshop Task 02: programming the site In activity 2, tutor Eric Yuen gave some insightful advice as to how I would start to place buildings on my site to create a connection to the waterways.

Eric mentioned that the buildings would have to be tall enough to offer views over the structures or buildings in between the site and the quarry, suggesting that it would be possible to place the building on raised pilotis. This would be an interesting idea as it then allows the ground floor to be a public space and allowing community interaction. The upper floors could then be mixed or fully private.

Eric also suggested that instead of arranging the buildings accordingly to the grid, it would be possible to angle the buildings in such a way to ensure that users would be able to see a view of the waterways from the site.

Thus, with Eric’s advice, I decided to make some massing models of differing heights in order to arrange them on top of the site in different configurations. I endeavoured to arrange the massing models such that the buildings on the west side of the block would not have their views blocked by the buildings closer to the waterway, while also ensuring that the space still feels open to the rest of the neighbourhood and not blocked off by tall buildings.

I also decided to add some grassy areas for public use, as well as creating a diagonal path through the 3 blocks in order to open up the area and offer a direct path to the quarry site.

WK05 Early Ideas Workshop Debrief

Task 01: site mapping & layouts

Task 02: programming the site

• Different approaches to site analysis - topography, views, aspects, vehicle circulation, traffic & foot traffic, truck loading/ delivery, other heavy vehicles, wind/prevailing breezes, sun path & seasonality, shadows • Scenic views vs framed views - can affect how you make design decisions • Thinking about existing driveways, existing use - residents needing access • Negative spaces between dwellings - what happens to the spaces when you take out unnecessary outbuildings?

• Personal connection to Country/ a site • Sensory input • Country-centred design not human-centred design • Connecting to natural features • Connection of residential areas via old waterways - flora & fauna, sensory experiences • Non-literal representations of narratives • Figure-ground study • Psychology of architectural experiences or entering various spaces (eg. compression & release, anticipation & curiosity) • How do different materials make you feel • How do you signify for people to enter a space or check something out?

• Various experiences of water - at low levels vs higher vantage point • Explore what is interesting to you • Spatial qualities in a literal sense - testing limitations and opportunities • Don’t get bogged down or think too deeply to begin with - you’ll get stuck. Just work with what jumps out at you • Using natural features to inform form - Country dictating/ leading form • Atmosphere • Ecological pathways & pockets - how could this influence form and spatial qualities of a neighbourhood if you had to allow non-human animals to traverse the site safely?

• Density of tree cover vs widths of streets • Uniformity of planting types?

• Visual vs sensed connection to water • Anchor destination vs incidental experiences along the way • In-between spaces - do these become part of the site via interstitial space qualities/ minimal intervention • What is useful/ not useful

• Diagramming negative space - use these for communal, pedestrians, residents only or public pathway • Journey of the senses as a narrative • Raingarden/ swale/ wetland intervention as an urban regeneration - pay attention to Indigenous seasonal calendars (likely Wurundjeri-specific for this project/ site - double check though!)

• Celebrating water run-off & capture • Identifying missing infrastructure in a way that brings community together • Investigate built form - heights, relationships between buildings • How can your intervention improve amenity in a neighbourhood? Safety, passive surveillance etc • How do we decide whose space should be kept or changed? How would you offset the change?

Value lost vs value returned • Interventions of public benefit - how to maximise its experience?

• Ecological corridors/ pathways - targeted approaches or site-wide?

• Perceived safety of spaces we create - people don’t feel safe between high fences (unless it is your own space) - how do we create privacy for residents but improve perceived safety • Increasing density without disturbing the connections/ amenity of lower density • How do you influence people to take a particular path to something?

• Offset House - Other Architects - precedent for ‘what you give for what you get’ - fostering connection & community

WK05 Plan of Action (Individual & Studio)

PLAN OF ACTION: INDIVIDUAL

PLAN OF ACTION: STUDIO

• Rework some of the site analyses in Task 04 to include more information: historical maps, surrounding areas, public transport (see pg. 26) • Think about and develop a programming for the site - what activities will be carried out on the site?

• Map the site into public, mixed, and private areas in further development of the project • Include precedents of successful interventions (boosting community interaction, precerving the history and spirit of the site) • Create a figure ground drawing (see pg. 24-25) • Create a plan of a smaller scale showing figure ground • Create a detailed plan on a smaller scale that shows how people use their yards, and possibly include more detail about accessibility (how long it takes to get to the closest public transport) • Continue working while taking into consideration designing with respect for Country while creating a connection to nature, boosting community interaction and combatting loneliness and solitude in a suburb - would mixed-use projects that include nature (native plants), shops, restaurants, and residential encourage social interaction between residents and visitors?

• How to design to overcome loneliness?

• • • • • •

Get different perspectives on your project VISIT YOUR SITE - with a lens of the Early Ideation generation Engage your senses Develop your program - what does the community need?

Do a figure ground - identify negative spaces Precedent studies - more of Offset House type stuff

WK06 Site Visit to Richmond & Burnley Quarry

To further my exploration of lived experiences of “neighbours” in their “hoods” I ventured a site visit the laneways of Richmond.

Richmond and Burnley are inner-city suburbs located 3–4 km southeast of Melbourne’s CBD, within the City of Yarra. As of the 2021 census, Richmond had a population of around 28,600, while Burnley is a smaller enclave within its boundary.

The area features a mix of historic and contemporary housing, with many Victorian-era terraces in Richmond protected by heritage controls. Burnley, once more industrial, now includes modern apartments and converted warehouses. Bordered by the Yarra River, both suburbs offer access to green space, bike paths, and excellent public transport, making them highly connected, sought-after neighbourhoods with a rich urban character.

Ways of Water in Richmond & Burnley Quarry Richmond and Burnley, situated along the banks of the Yarra River, have long been shaped by water and its management. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, these low-lying areas were prone to frequent flooding, with heavy rains causing the Yarra to overflow and inundate homes, streets, and nearby industrial sites.

• In response, significant hydrological works were undertaken throughout the 20th century. The Yarra was widened and redirected in places to improve flow, and large-scale stormwater drainage systems were installed beneath the suburbs. The Burnley Quarry, once a source of bluestone for Melbourne’s early construction, later filled with water and became a natural catchment, reflecting the suburb’s long-standing relationship with reshaped and repurposed water landscapes.

• Today, water remains central to the identity of Richmond and Burnley.

The legacy of flooding continues to shape urban planning, with growing emphasis on Water Sensitive Urban Design and ecological restoration along the Yarra. These efforts reflect a shift toward living with, rather than resisting, the dynamic presence of water.

Richmond, Victoria 3121 Image from Nearmap

WK06 Site Visit to Richmond & Burnley Quarry

I arrived at the neighbourhood of Richmond bordering the Burnley Quarry using the closest access to public transport: the 78 tram.

In the pictures I took on the left, I observed the general feelings experienced in these laneways, taking account of where they lead and what we materials or flora & fauna observed in these laneways.

The laneways (and neighbourhood in general) was starkly different from that of Clifton Hill. Perhaps the dreary weather also played a part but tanglible aspects like the empty, cold, blandness of the laneways was observed.

The path went from walking along the main road with the tram, with the highest foot traffic, to lesser populated small alleyways, the ground remained as mainly asphalt, with some bluestone elements included in the laneways. On my previous site visit, I asked myseld the question: “Does looking worn out mean that a place was well loved? Or is it simply just neglected?” From this walk, we can see that although the neighbourhood laneways are tidy, the tidy (and almost plain) uniformity of the laneways make the experience much less personal, with much less character.

In general, the observations of Richmond were different from Clifton Hill, Richmond lacks the “unkemptness and overgrowth”, as well as lacking in shade and foliage, and personal touches I started asking myself what neighbourhood interventions can be placed in order to: make the laneways more attractive and inviting, give the place more character, and create a sense of community.

WK06 Site Visit to Richmond & Burnley Quarry

Public/Community Miniature Gardens At one of the roundabouts, where there was more empty space, I noticed that there were little plots of miniature gardens where one or maybe people on that block took great care in planting decorative plants into the sidewalk soil, and placing potted plants into the small plots of sidewalk soil, This on its own is its own kind of neighbourhood intervention, where it tackles the lower density of fauna seen in the area.

With this observation, I can deduce that the community could benefit from having a community garden on this street corner specifically (the corner/roundabout of Amsterdam Street and Brighton Street) A possible intervention would be to repave the asphalt on this street, creating more space for soil for planting.

Another possible intervention is using the unused space of the roundabout (currently just bluestone) to plot another miniature community garden - while also adding zebra crossings from the sidewalks to the roundabout to ensure safer access.

Currently the fauna planted on the sidewalks are purely decorative, it would be good to add edible plants into the roster, possibly designating the sidewalk space to decorative plants, and the roundabout space to fruiting or vegetable plants.

WK06 Site Visit to Richmond & Burnley Quarry

Careless and closed-off The fences of the houses are not only the outer shell of thr building but also the envelope of the laneways. From my site visit, I observed that there was not much care put into the outer fences of each property.This made the experience of walking through the laneways quite bland and boring. Another thing I noticed from comparing Richmond’s laneways to Clifton Hill’s laneways was that there was a lack of foliage and natural shading.

I find that it could be beneficial to replace the wood plank and aluminium walls to green vertical garden walls using native flora. This would contritube to the native biodiversity in the area and the structure placed on the walls could also encourage native fauna to visit the site.The walls could create eaves over the laneways with creeping plants, allowing for native flora and fauna to interact with the space and its users more, while providing shade.

This would in all, create a more immersive and interesting experience of the space.

WK06 Major Project Brief

Part One - Material Culture | Understanding the Site • Site analyses conducted will uncover the conditions of the local context through multiple perspectives, and will use these conditions to guide siting, orientation, form, atmospheric conditions, brief writing, and spatial conditions of the final project.

• The analysis must include investigations into the existing material culture of the site (preand post-colonially) to inform appropriate material selection.

• Can the materials selected inform the programming, the form, or the program siting?

• What story does it tell?

• What should be retained, what can be adapted, what might be razed and reused?

Part Two - Who Uses this Neighbourhood?| Brief Development • Students will begin to development an inventory of users and inhabitants of their chosen neighbourhood, utilising site analysis, research, personal conversations with locals and fellow Melbournians to do so.

• Where do people spend their days?

• Where do people spend their • evenings?

• Where to adults vs children vs retirees go and how do they get there?

• What are the relationships between residents, businesses and passersby?

• What are their relationships with the neighbourhood - how much stewardship do they have?

• What about the non-human animals - we ask the same questions.

WK06 Major Project Brief

Part One - Material Culture | Understanding the Site

Esixting materials on site Bluestone (Basalt): • Extensively used during Melbourne’s 19th-century Gold Rush era, bluestone is a durable volcanic rock sourced locally (Basalt was mined from Burnley Quarry).

• Commonly found in foundations, curbs, gutters, and institutional buildings Cream Brick • The Burnley Horticultural College, designed in the 1940s, uses cream brick and concrete in the Functionalist architectural style.

• Majority of the houses in the residential block use cream or red brick in their construction Concrete • As concrete is one of the cheapest, fastest and most reliable materials for construction, many of the houses and laneways use concrete

Corrugated Steel • The industrial buildings in the area use corrugated steel for their roofing and cladding material

• Can be salvaged and reused

• Can be reused but can be quite arduous: reclaimed, cleaned, and reused

• Can be recycled into various forms, like aggregate for new concrete or used as a fill material • If using new concrete: consider eco-friendly concrete - made by incorporating waste materials like fly ash, slag, and recycled aggregate into the concrete mix, reducing the need for natural resources and energy-intensive processes.

• Can be salvaged and reused or recycled

WK06 Major Project Brief

Part One - Material Culture | Understanding the Site

New materials Rammed Earth • Rammed earth will be used for the multiresidential building’s walls • Highly sustainable building method due to its low environmental impact, use of local materials, and potential for longevity.

• Low Embodied Energy: Rammed earth has low embodied energy, particularly when local materials are used. This lowers the energy required for production, transport, and construction, reducing overall carbon emissions.

• Local Materials: It uses soil sourced directly from or near the site, cutting down on transportation, extraction impacts, and waste from excavations.

• Durability and Longevity: Properly built and maintained, rammed earth structures can last for centuries, reducing the need for frequent rebuilding and minimising long-term environmental impact.

• Recyclability and Circularity: Rammed earth can be deconstructed and returned to the ground, supporting circular design principles and contrasting with harder-to-recycle conventional materials.

• Healthy and Non-toxic: It contains no harmful chemicals and does not off-gas, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.

• Thermal Mass: Its strong thermal mass helps store and slowly release heat, stabilising indoor temperatures and lowering energy use for heating and cooling.

Victorian Ash Timber • Where timber is to be used indoors, Victorian Ash Timber, a native Australian hardwood, will be substituted for general construction, such as F17 seasoned structural framing • As it is a native timber, and is able to be locally sourced, the carbon footprint of its sourcing is lower than other timber materials.

• If not completely reclaimable, at least 80% of the remaining material can be easily disassembled, compressed and manufactured for furniture.

• Global Green Tag certified as a timber Western Red Cedar • Where timber is to be used outdoors, Western Red Cedar, a locally grown British Colombian softwood, will be used for external cladding, as it greys when exposed to weather and pores close up - has its own weather proofing, lasts for ages.

• If not completely reclaimable, at least 80% of the remaining material can be easily disassembled, compressed and manufactured for furniture.

• Global Green Tag certified as a timber

WK06 Major Project Brief

Part Two - Who Uses this Neighbourhood?| Brief Development

Humans

Non-human animals

Age Profile: The suburb is popular among young professionals and families seeking a peaceful environment close to the city.

Common Brushtail Possum (North-Western) Koomaal in Wudjari, Mudhay in Yuwaalayaay, Mudhay in Gamilaraay / Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi

Cultural Background: Approximately 75.3% of residents were born in Australia, with notable communities from England, New Zealand, Greece, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

• Common Brushtail Possum is a common and widespread species with a secure conservation status, meaning it is not currently endangered.

• They are well-adapted to living in both rural and urban environments, and their populations are generally stable.

• While protected by law, they can sometimes cause conflicts with humans, particularly in urban areas where they may den in roof spaces or damage gardens.

Occupational Trends: A significant portion of the workforce is engaged in professional occupations, with a high rate of full-time employment.

What is needed in the neighbourhood? What could the neighbourhood benefit from?

• Primary school across the road - sports area or playground • Cafe or cornershop • Community centre or hub Where do people spend their days?

• The closest recreational area would be Barkly Gardens Where do people spend their evenings?

• There is no night life in the area so people either return home to retire for the day, or leave the area Where do adults vs children vs retirees go and how do they get there?

• Children: the nearby Primary School and/or daycare centre

Grey-Headed Flying-Fox • The grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) is a megabat native to Australia and also Australia’s largest bat.

• Grey-headed Flying-foxes in Melbourne are considered a vulnerable species.

• While the species is protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975, they face threats such as habitat loss and potential harm from humans.

Both the animals are nocturnal and so, do not typically closely interact with humans.

As such, a built intervention can be created for them that is close to but not directly with humans.

This would create respectful spaces and distances for both the human and non-human animal residents.

WK07 Major Project Brief

Part Three | Co-Designing the Neighbourhood The neighbourhood chosen by each student, however successful it may currently be, will function as a case study for common themes of intervention, densification and reconnection applicable to any neighbourhood or site in Melbourne.

Students will use their analyses and material culture research to establish the needs and wants of the community, non-human animals and Country to appropriately inform the site layout, spatial characteristics, level of intervention, densification factors, functional layout and material makeup across the whole site.

As a minimum, the project is expected to include: • » 1x multi-residential function • » 1x community infrastructure function • » 1x laneway intervention function • » 1x non-human animal client • » 1x consideration for Country as client

WK07 Precedents of successful contemporary neighbourhood design elements

Praça da Saudade by Natureza Urbana Praça da Saudade was redesigned by Natureza Urbana to bring new life to a public square in Manaus that had been forgotten over time. The project carefully mixes modern design with respect for local history, turning the space into a place where people can relax, meet, and enjoy the outdoors.

• • • • • • •

Revives an old public square in Manaus.

Combines modern architecture with local history.

Includes simple concrete structures, built-in seating, and open walkways.

Respects the historical importance of the site.

Focuses on accessibility, shade, and native plants.

Adds soft lighting for comfort and safety.

Designed to be a welcoming and flexible space for the community.

• The built proposal should include biophilic shapes garden spaces

WK07 Precedents of successful contemporary neighbourhood design elements

Parque Esmeralda: Community Garden Project by CAW Arquitectos Parque Esmeralda is a community garden created by CAW Arquitectos in Santiago. Built with help from local people, it turns an unused lot into a shared green space where people can grow food, meet each other, and care for the environment together.

• • • • • •

Changes an unused space into a community garden.

Has garden beds, wooden benches, and shady areas for gathering.

Supports urban farming and neighbourly connections.

Built with low-cost materials and community help.

Encourages local involvement and sustainable habits.

Connects nature, learning, and care in one shared place.

• The built proposal should include a community garden

WK07 Precedents of successful contemporary neighbourhood design elements

apis Rouge public space in an informal neighborhood in Haiti by Emergent Vernacular Architecture (EVA Studio) EVA Studio’s Apis Rouge project is a colourful and practical public space built in a lowincome neighbourhood in Haiti. Made with local materials and help from the community, the project turns an empty lot into a lively place where people can rest, play, and come together.

• • • • • • • • •

Built in an informal neighbourhood in Haiti.

Turns an empty lot into a shared community space.

Uses local materials and help from local people.

Includes bright colours, movable seating, and shaded spots.

A place for rest, play, and community events.

Inspired by local building styles and craft traditions.

Aims to build stronger community ties and support daily life.

The built proposal should include sunken seating areas

WK07 Neighbourhood interventions sketches Since unbuilt areas like backyards will be claimed for community intervention, an upper floor courtyard will be built for residents to return their private space - whereas the ground floor wll be public

Seats will be made around trees, with connectors for animals above the sitting area - allowing for humans and non-human animals to respectfully share spaces

Community garden sketch along the area where people placed potted plants along the road.

Tree seatings have connectors that allow animals to traverse through the neighbourhood

Green walls will be installed in the laneways, with beams for creeping plants and animals • This idea will not be used later on

Initially i had planned for the public bathroom to be tucked right next to existing houses - however, Shannon recommended that it would be better as a standalone pavilion

WK08 Neighbourhood Masterplan Sketches

WK08 Neighbourhood Masterplan Sketches

WK08 Neighbourhood Masterplan Draft & multiresidential building sketches

I wanted a sloping effect for my building with each floow getting gradually smaller - this is so as to not discourage people from entering the neighbourhood when seeing the building.

I did not want it to be too tall or domineering but also be able to slope into the view of the Burnley Quarry.

WK09 Collage

First Iteration

Final Iteration

Shannon suggested making the collage look less like a render Second Iteration

I replaced the green wall on the left with a photocollage of windows and a garden. I also included the possum.

Shannon suggested to add the flying fox into the collage as well.

WK09 Positionality Statement

My name is Claudia, and I am from Singapore. Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to live in diverse cities including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Dubai, and now, Melbourne.

Shaped by these lived experiences, one of my main inspirations for pursuing architecture is to create spaces that foster a strong sense of community — places where people from all walks of life can meet, connect, and coexist. One of my earliest and most impactful memories of this is the void deck in Singaporean public housing. These open ground-floor spaces, integrated with amenities such as chess tables, benches, playgrounds, food courts, tuck shops, supermarkets, and cafés, serve as vital hubs for everyday interaction. Through these mixed-use environments, I came to understand how architecture can nurture familiarity and belonging, making everything accessible and encouraging regular social encounters.

WK10 Student-led Pinup

Tools and ‘Studio Processes’

Context and ‘Studio Problem’

Concept and ‘Architectural Problems’

Comment criterion At the close of the session - and having seen and discussed work - how clearly does the project and the work presented provide a way of understanding a ‘studio process’? What was clear to you? What kinds of questions do you still have? If the project applies a slightly different way of approaching the studio process - is this also made clear?

Comment criterion At the close of the session - and having seen and discussed work - how clearly does the project and work presented respond to a studio problem or question.

What kinds of answers are starting to emerge? Are there still uncertainties? How well has the work presented served as ‘evidence’ of approaching a response or an answer? Are there other kinds of material that might be useful?

Comment criterion At the close of the session - and having seen and discussed work - how clearly does the project and work presented respond to a larger architectural problem? Does the work start to take a position? Is this backed up by drawn/modelled/made evidence?

Does this connect to other thinkers/makers/writers/builders? Are there other projects or ideas that you think might be valuable here?

Jack Williams

Jack Williams

Her work responds to her studio problem well; it has explored the limitations but also the creative possibilities of an alleyway. Her work creates a strong sense of community while celebrating the scarce vegetation found in an alleyway.

It responds very well to the architectural problem of limitations of space in built up and residential areas.

Her design manipulates the limited alleyway space to evoke and facilitate community interaction in an otherwise barren alleyway.

Sienna Lee Scaturchio

Sienna Lee Scaturchio

There is a good response to the studio prompt, there has been a very adaptable approach with a lot of varied responses

There is a clear position being formed that there needs to be a consideration for the useres and the environment surrounding

Jack Williams Through Claudias work it was clear that the studio process and emphasis in her class is mapping which she completed to a very high standard. Her mappings gave great detail into the her site, both immediately and directly. I am wondering whether or not, as her studio develops their designs there will be a higher emphasis on them rather than the mappings. If so, integrating her designs in 3D form within a mapping could be successful.

Sienna Lee Scaturchio I think the idea of mapping as a process has been shown very strongly and is used well as a tool

WK11 Design Precedent Sketches

CapitaSpring by BIG + Carlo Ratti Association Singapore, Singapore

WK11 Design Precedent Sketches

Brunswick Yard by Carr & 360 Degrees Landscape Architects Brunswick, Melbourne

WK11 Design Precedent Sketches

Nion by UNStudio Frankfurt, Germany

WK11 Multiresidential building sketches

WK12 Masterplan First Iteration

neighbourhood plan 1:1000

WK12 Draft Renders

Final Salon

physical model 1:1000

neighbourhood plan 1:1000

re-mingle claudia 29228301

Re-mingle is a project that aims to bring community back togther.

Final Salon Banner

12 x COLOUR A3 (840mm WIDE x 1782mm TALL)

Through designing for human and non-human animal interaction, the aim is to bring communities closer together, and to bring humans closer to flora and fauna by bringing them to each over and merging their spaces together

As I was unwell during the Final Salon, I instead attended the Alternative Salon, where I recevived feedback from Monash Staff members. However, Raisa informed me that her feedback could be categorised as external.

The installation of additional courtyard to existing houses returns private spaces to residents where space was taken to create community programs.

The upper floors allow for residents to have their own private courtyard, whereas the ground floor is open to public and acts as a gathering and resting point for passersbys, encouraging more community interaction

level 3 floorplan 1:100 additional courtyard axonometric 1:50

Student from a different studio (Peer) Feedback Claudia Ho:

Staff Member (Internal) Feedback Aqil:

Studio Guest (External) Feedback Raisa:

• Properly illustrate the garden area and carpark • Include laneway experience drawings

• Include humans in sections • Include your site section to show the sloping effect of the building as well as human interaction with the built elements of the site • Include a diagram with all the analyses done on non-human animals and vegetation of the site that have influenced the design • Drawings have too much focus on built forms - have more focus on the neighbourhood interventions • Planning has been well resolved • Possible to bring interventions together

• Show the interventions being combined in one drawing • Show the critter crosswalk in the day and night time (there will be different animals during different times of day) • Include more understanding and information about the Korin Gamadji Institute • Consider the Western idea of garden space vs Indigenous Idea of garden space (reservoir for memory) - what does it need?

• Show how the garden space can be used by different groups • Show the process from initial interventions to final multi-residential outcome • If possible, integrate traditional ways of building - consider making the multi-residential building half designed so that communities can come in and design it themselves - reference Alejandro Aravena’s Elemental Studio’s Half a House.

The critter crossings allow for human and non-human animal interactions by allowing each other into their spaces while retaining a respectful distance.

The crossings begin from the nearby park and circle around the neighbourhood.

tree seating with critter crossings elevation 1:50

The sunken seating areas allow for more privacy and less noise for residents while people gather in the areas.

In some areas of the neighbourhood, a private courtyard for residents will be built directly above the sunken seating areas.

level 2 floorplan 1:100

sunken seating section 1:50

front elevation 1:100

Final Salon Photo

Draft Banner Layout re-mingle

The ground floor features many bridgeways for people to experience the space that is both open and closed.

claudia 29228301

It also acts as a mirror to the critter croasswalks for non-human animals.

The 4 developments will feature a cafe, a cornershop, a makerspace and garden areas each.

level 1.5 floorplan 1:100

As part of designing with respect for Country, he public areas on each residential building’s ground floor features open spaces for community programs with Korin Gamadji Institute at Richmond Football club (closest First Nations Centre) for art activities like exhibitions, makerspaces and activities.

longitudinal section 1:100

First In Architecture - CAD Blocks - People 04

For more blocks visit www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk

neighbourhood plan 1:500

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

General Residential Zone

Richmond Library 10min walk, 2min drive Dutton Cafeteria 12min walk, 6min drive A cafe in a car showroom where car enthusiasts can meet each other and bond over a shared interest

Neigbourhood Residential Zone

Burnley Quarry

Commercial Zone Public Park and Recreation Zone

Public Use Zone Activity Centre Zone

Barkly Gardens

k Citylin

Amsterdam Street Laneway

Laneway between Cotter and Amsterdam Street

Yarra

McConchie Reserve

River

Yarra

Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry

River

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

Richmond’s housing stock features mostly low-rise single dwellings - mainly Victorian and Edwardian era terrace houses, converted warehouses, and contemporary residences.

Como Park North

Herring Island

Mixed Use Zone

Pillar of Salt Cafe 2min walk, 1min drive

Richmond Primary School

The Richmond Neighbourhood benefits from many zones being in close proximity to each other.

Sustainability Activities:

• •

• •

Richmond Repair Corner: A place to fix broken items and learn repair skills.

Cheeky Chook Crew: A community group focused on chickens and sustainability.

Burnley Fruit Squad: A group focused on growing and sharing fruit within the community.

Gardening Together: Opportunities to participate in community gardening projects.

Community Composting: Programs and resources for composting.

Barkly Gardens

k

Perhaps the neighbourhood could benefit from more usage of mixed use zones. This would mean that we could include more small cafes and restaurants interspersed on the same block with small parks and gardens and residential areas.

•

Richmond Neighbourhood Centre 23min walk, 5min drive Community Centre with recreation & community activities

Brighton Street Early Learning 1min walk, 1min drive Childcare Centre

Industrial Zone Cotter Street Laneway

Citylin

Yarra Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry

River

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

McConchie Reserve

Top Paddock Cafe 7min walk, 2min drive

Como Park North

Herring Island

Wellbeing and Creativity: The site I’ve chosen is a 3-block low rise residential area that is a 2-3 minute walk away from the Burnley Quarry.

• •

Como Park

• •

Richmond’s historical town planning saw a very structured grid system. In current day, it has strayed slightly from a strict grid in the area east of Barkly Gardens.

Mosaic Classes: Learn the art of mosaic creation.

Leathercrafting: Explore leather crafting techniques.

Singing: Participate in singing groups or workshops.

Furniture Restoration: Learn how to restore and repurpose furniture.

Other Activities: • •

Learn Local Digital Technology: Gain confidence with computers and smartphones through digital skills classes.

Playgroups: Join playgroups for children and parents to connect.

Closest Train Stations

Toorak/South Yarra Library 21min walk, 4min drive

Como Park

Burnley Bouldering Wall 11min walk, 4min drive The bouldering wall acts as a place for community to gather and mingle while doing a physical activity

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

Closest Tram Stops

draft building axonometric nts level 1 floorplan 1:100

level 3 floorplan 1:100

plants animals The Traditional Owners of the land that the site is located on are the Wurundjeri 87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

Biodiversity: Habitat value of the site

1:10000

Wurundjeri Woi Wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

sunken seating section 1:50

level 2 floorplan 1:100

additional courtyard axonometric 1:50

Richmond Library 10min walk, 2min drive

General Residential Zone

Dutton Cafeteria 12min walk, 6min drive A cafe in a car showroom where car enthusiasts can meet each other and bond over a shared interest

Neigbourhood Residential Zone Commercial Zone Public Park and Recreation Zone

Richmond Neighbourhood Centre 23min walk, 5min drive Community Centre with recreation & community activities

Brighton Street Early Learning 1min walk, 1min drive Childcare Centre

Industrial Zone Public Use Zone Activity Centre Zone

Pillar of Salt Cafe 2min walk, 1min drive

Mixed Use Zone

Richmond Primary School

The Richmond Neighbourhood benefits from many zones being in close proximity to each other.

Sustainability Activities: • • • •

Richmond Repair Corner: A place to fix broken items and learn repair skills.

Cheeky Chook Crew: A community group focused on chickens and sustainability.

Burnley Fruit Squad: A group focused on growing and sharing fruit within the community.

Gardening Together: Opportunities to participate in community gardening projects.

Community Composting: Programs and resources for composting.

Barkly Gardens

ink

Perhaps the neighbourhood could benefit from more usage of mixed use zones. This would mean that we could include more small cafes and restaurants interspersed on the same block with small parks and gardens and residential areas.

•

tree seating with critter crossings elevation 1:50

Cityl

Yarra Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry

River

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

McConchie Reserve

Top Paddock Cafe 7min walk, 2min drive

Como Park North

Herring Island

level 1.5 floorplan 1:100

draft building axonometric nts

front elevation 1:100

Wellbeing and Creativity: • • • •

Mosaic Classes: Learn the art of mosaic creation.

Leathercrafting: Explore leather crafting techniques.

Singing: Participate in singing groups or workshops.

Furniture Restoration: Learn how to restore and repurpose furniture.

Other Activities: • •

Learn Local Digital Technology: Gain confidence with computers and smartphones through digital skills classes.

Playgroups: Join playgroups for children and parents to connect.

Closest Train Stations

Toorak/South Yarra Library 21min walk, 4min drive

Como Park

Burnley Bouldering Wall 11min walk, 4min drive The bouldering wall acts as a place for community to gather and mingle while doing a physical activity

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000

Closest Tram Stops

87-129 Brighton St, Richmond VIC 3121 1:5000 Burnley Quarry

Cotter Street Laneway

Barkly Gardens Amsterdam Street Laneway

ink

Cityl

Yarra

Yarra Yarra River Reserve

Burnley Quarry Laneway between Cotter and Amsterdam Street

McConchie Reserve

River

River

Yarra River Parklands - Loys Paddock

Richmond’s housing stock features mostly low-rise single dwellings - mainly Victorian and Edwardian era terrace houses, converted warehouses, and contemporary residences.

Como Park North

Herring Island

level 1 floorplan 1:100

The site I’ve chosen is a 3-block low rise residential area that is a 2-3 minute walk away from the Burnley Quarry.

Como Park

Richmond’s historical town planning saw a very structured grid system. In current day, it has strayed slightly from a strict grid in the area east of Barkly Gardens.

longitudinal section 1:20

longitudinal section 1:100

re-mingle Re-mingle is a project that aims to bring community back togther.

Through designing for human and non-human animal interaction, the aim is to bring communities closer together, and to bring humans closer to flora and fauna by bringing them to each over and merging their spaces together

Final Drawings

Legend

e

1

h

e

f

f+g

f+g

g

f

d

f

g

a - critter crossing (pg. 72-73) b - public bathroom (pg. 74) c - bicycle park (pg. 75) d - car park (pg. 76) e - brick seatings & climbing plants (pg. 77) f - additional courtyards (pg. 78) g - sunken seatings (pg. 79) h - garden areas (pg. 80)

c

b e

2

e g

f+g

f

g

f

e

1 - Multiresidential building with cafe and art exhibition and makerspace collaboration with Korin Gamadji Institude at richmond Football club 2 - Multiresidential building with cornerstore and art exhibition and makerspace collaboration with Korin Gamadji Institude at richmond Football club 3 - Multiresidential building with makerspace and art exhibition and makerspace collaboration with Korin Gamadji Institude at richmond Football club 4 - Multiresidential building with garden areas and art exhibition and makerspace collaboration

f

g

f e

3

e

4

neighbourhood plan 1:1000

a

ground floor site plan 1:200

roof site plan 1:200

Neighbourhood Intervention Critter Crossings

Seats are made around Manna Gum trees, a tree that is culturally significant to Wurundjeri Peoples, and is common around the Yarra River.

These tree seatings will also have connectors for animals above the sitting area - allowing for humans and non-human animals to respectfully share spaces. These connectors will connect from the Burney Quarry park and circle around various spots on the site, bringing the connection of the water, flora, and fauna from the Burney Quarry into the neighbourhood.

tree seating with critter crossings elevation 1:50

tree seating with critter crossings axonometric 1:30

Upon feedback from the salon, Raisa commented that my animals are nocturnal are hence would mainly use the critter crossings at night. The critter crossings would then mainly see various species of birds in the day.

Neighbourhood Intervention Critter Crossings

night-time tree seating with critter crossings elevation 1:30

Neighbourhood Intervention Public Bathroom

I had initially designed the public bathroom to exist right on the outer walls of existing houses.

However, Shannono suggested that a pavilion would be better suited.

The existence of a public bathroom in the neighbourhood would encourage users to visit the property - even non-residents.

axonometric 1:50 The final design for my restroom uses a biophilic design, matching the garden planning throughout the neighbourhood, and creates a relationship with water through the use of rainchains collecting water for greywater recycling.

The bathroom will not have a floor but instead Western Red Cedar wooden slatting to allow for water runoff to drain straight back into the ground.

plan 1:50

Neighbourhood Intervention Car & Bicycle Park

Precedent: Akersbakken Bicycle Hotel|Don Lawrence Architects I decided to also built a bicycle park for residents and those who commute nearby.

bike storage axonometric 1:50

I noticed on my site visit that there were quite a number of cyclists in the neighbourhood.

This would hopefully also encourage residents and those who commute nearby to cycle instead of drive - which would be more environmentally sustainable.

As the bicycle park is located on the garden attached to the car park, I have also included seats in my design for people to hang out.

bike storage axonometric plan 1:50

Neighbourhood Intervention Car & Bicycle Park As I have taken away the backyards of residents, Shannon suggested building a parking lot in the neighbourhood to replace the spaces for residents who park in their backyards.

I attempted to create a space that was as green as possible by making it also serve as a garden space.

car park & bike storage axonometric 1:200

car park & bike storage plan 1:200

Neighbourhood Intervention Recycled Brick Seatings & Climbing Plants

Precedent: Geelong Laneways: Malop Arcade NMBW Architecture Studio with ASPECT Studios

I had initially planned to install green walls into the laneways of the neighbourhood. However, instead, for a less disruptive built, I decided to opt for planting native creeping plants such as the Dichondra repens (Kidney Weed) and Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla).

Additionally, I am using reclaimed brick from the houses I have demolished for the mulitresidential buildings for seatings inspired by the Malop Arcade by NMBW Architecture Studio

axonometric 1:20

elevation 1:50

Neighbourhood Intervention Additional Private Courtyards & Public Seats explanation text

Since unbuilt areas like backyards will be claimed for community intervention, an upper floor courtyard will be built for residents to return their private space - whereas the ground floor wll be public.

additional courtyard axonometric 1:30

Neighbourhood Intervention Sunken Seatings

Some areas will be sunken for less noise for the residents. This allows more distance from residents’ living spaces and less noise pollution.

Some sunken areas of the site also have the additional courtyards built above them - creating more distance between private and public spaces.

draft section 1:30

section 1:30

Neighbourhood Intervention Community Garden Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), a clumping grass that provides a natural, meadow-like look and is drought-tolerant will be used for the garden area.

Residents will be able to plant and landscape the garden however they see fit.

This will allow First Nations Peoples to take ownership of their neighbourhood and community by attaching their own “reservoir of memory” - which, in the context of an Aboriginal garden refers to the idea of using a garden as a place to store and share cultural knowledge, stories, and traditions.

intervention renders 1:100

As part of designing with respect for Country, the public areas on each residential building’s ground floor features open spaces for community programs with Korin Gamadji Institute at Richmond Football club (closest First Nations Centre) for art activities like exhibitions and workshops.

building 1

The 4 developments will feature a cafe, a cornershop, a makerspace and garden areas each.

N

level 1 floorplan 1:100

The ground floor features many bridgeways for people to experience the space that is both open and closed.

building 1

It also acts as a mirror to the critter croasswalks for nonhuman animals.

N

level 1.5 mezzanine floorplan 1:100

building 1

N

level 2 floorplan 1:100

building 1

N

level 3 floorplan 1:100

building 1

The roof collects rainwater runoff from the roof garden on the right, flowing down on reclaimed corrugated steel into the downpipe.

There will also be solar panels installed for the mixed-use building to support their energy supply.

30°

5°

30°

N

roofplan 1:100

building 1

draft front elevation 1:100

building 1

front elevation 1:100

building 1

front elevation 1:100

building 1

left elevation with rammed earth facade 1:100

building 1

left rendered elevation 1:100

building 1

draft left longitudinal section 1:100

building 1

revised left longitudinal section 1:100

building 1

facade section

revised left longitudinal section 1:100

building 1

rendered right longitudinal section 1:100

wood ledger beam concrete bond beam

Victorian Ash Timber flooring subflooring ceiling board

downpipe rammed earth wall cavity insulation lining (insulated plasterboard)

Victorian Ash Timber flooring subflooring

rigid insulation

structural slab

facade detail section 1:100

building 1

site section 1:200

building 1

building 1

site section 1:75

building 1

3d axonometric with rammed earth facade 1:100

building 1

rendered 3d axonometric 1:100

residential building renders 1:100