THE/09

OPEN STUDIO: HERITAGE

STUART HARRISON

Studio Description

This Masters studio seeks to critique, through thesis projects, the building conservation movement and provide an alternative framework for re-using, re-working and re-making existing buildings and landscapes. This is an alternative to the dominant heritage paradigm, and seeks a generational shift in influence. Looking at concepts of elective heritage, sustainability through retention, interim use and adaptive re-use, it promotes a layered histories approach.

Talks at the start of semester will outline historical and current approaches to conservation, as well as more progressive heritages practices. Students will develop a position on how to work with existing buildings. Research into national and international precedents will inform approaches, as part of a more structured start to the semester. Detailed site research will be undertaken, and then radical propositions for the future of these sites developed by students as a self-directed thesis project.

The studio will be run in-person, with remote sessions when required.

Studio Outcomes

Students will develop their project proposals - selecting sites in Victoria with existing building(s) and landscapes, and work with existing elements to develop a new version of the site. Non-listed / elective heritage projects will be encouraged. Elective heritage is an approach to re-using buildings that are not protected from demolition through heritage controls. New programmes will be proposed and developed, and the sustainability benefits of re-use presented as an equal to the historical and heritage benefits.

Students will then design an architectural project that re-uses an existing building/structure. This will be described in architectural drawings. The required thesis statement will act as accompanying position paper on the approach to re-use. Students will develop an approach that builds on both traditional and progressive models, and be aware of the sustainability impacts of re-use.

Drawings typically required include: site and context plans, floor plans, sections, elevations, diagrams, axonometrics, photomontages and renderings.

Studio Leaders

Stuart Harrison is an architect, design advocate and communicator. He has collaborated broadly – on architecture and media projects, including several books. He hosted Restoration Australia on ABC-TV for two seasons.

He is director of the award-winning architectural practice Harrison and White, and has worked on masterplanning, housing, public and education projects.

He consults on design excellence and is a member of several design review panels, including the WA State Design Review Panel, the SA Design Review Panel and the Victorian Design Review Panel. Stuart has taught and assessed design widely, including at RMIT, Monash, University of Melbourne, UTS and UWA.

Readings & References

Schedule:
Monday 3:15-6:15pm in MSD 141
Thursday 12:00-15:00 in MSD 240

Off-Site Activities:


Contact Handbook

Need enrolment assistance?

Stop 1 provides enrolment and other support to Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Environments and Melbourne School of Design students.