Studio 39
The next museum ... an architecture of absence
Wojciech Pluta, Neal Kaldor, and Alison Pedder
Studio Description
The past two years have limited our physical access to public cultural spaces, an absence that has only served to further highlight the quiet influence these types of institutions have on the organism of the city, our connection to it, and to one another. During this time of absence, Denton Corker Marshall celebrated the official opening of Shepperton Art Museum and marked the 20th anniversary of the iconic Melbourne Museum. In the two decades which span these projects, the role and organization of the museum shifted only slightly in comparison the new chapter of innovation and repositioning the industry is about to embark upon.
This studio will begin its enquiry establishing the role of architecture in framing how these shifts might begin take place, and from where. Learnings from Denton Corker Marshall’s Melbourne Museum, Shepperton Art Museum, Stonehenge Exhibition + Visitor Centre and the Australian Pavilion, Venice will serve as principal case studies to launch this departure.
Studio Outcomes
Discussions will define and exercise the role of the architect in cultural engagement and representation, and students will have the opportunity to workshop their projects with DCM practitioners experienced in collaboration with museum stakeholders, curators, educators, and facility managers.
Students will be asked to distinguish between the physical and virtual parameters of these cultural spaces, and position an architectural, and flagship response within the context of the sites beyond their primary locations. Critical design research undertaken at the beginning of the semester forms the project brief resulting in a highly articulated, resolved architectural proposition, that remains somewhat devoted to its familiar roles and function, proposes strategies that herald the crucible for a new and versatile museum model.
Studio Leaders
Wojciech Pluta has outstanding knowledge of all aspects of building projects in metropolitan and regional Australia acquired through training and over 30+ years’ professional experience, undertaking leading roles on projects in the commercial, residential, health and education sectors. Since joining Denton Corker Marshall in 1997, Wojciech has been involved in a wide range of work, from individual residences to the coordination of multi-million dollar commercial developments.
Alison Pedder joined Denton Corker Marshall in 2015. With qualifications in interior design and architecture, she has studied at Monash University, The Victorian College of the Arts and the Dessau Institute of Architecture – DIA BAUHAUS. She has taught at both the DIA BAUHAUS and the University of Melbourne (Design Studio Beta). She has worked as an architect in both Germany and Australia and has also designed productions for several Performing Arts Companies and Australian Festivals. Alison is currently working on the Melbourne University Fisherman’s Bend Campus Stage 01.
Neal Kaldor joined Denton Corker Marshall in 2017 having completed his Bachelor of Architecture at RMIT and then undertook his Master of Architecture at RMIT. He has been involved in the DCM Studio as a guest critique for the last 3 years, alongside similar roles in the MSD Beta Studios Semester 2 2021. Amongst his responsibilities in practice, Neal has led the Work Experience Program. In 2019, he was a Highly Commended Finalist in the Premier’s Design Awards, Student Design Category.
Schedule Mondays and Thursdays 18:15-21:15