The Deep End

Ripeka Walker

Studio Description

Ready to jump in at the deep end?

Here in Victoria, community access to public swimming pools has been a key approach to water safety and drowning prevention since the 1860s. Today, people living in many regional areas of Victoria lack access to aquatic facilities.  This gap in social infrastructure results in – or perhaps reflects - social inequities. Despite significant recent investment in aquatic facilities and programs, drowning remains a major public health concern. In addition, contemporary aquatic facilities are significant energy consumers and in the Victorian context have a high reliance on natural gas. Operational and recurrent costs further threaten the viability of aquatic centres in regional areas.

How might future architects address water safety and aquatic facility viability in the Victorian context?

This studio invites students to tackle the social and technical aspects of aquatic architecture through a non-didactic design pedagogy.  On a site in Portland, students will consider the technical opportunity of geothermal energy with a sustained focus on civic accountability within the brief. Balancing the social and technical throughout design decision-making is the challenge set for students who join this studio.

This is the first iteration of The Deep End.  The studio is conceived as an extension of As We Encounter (offered in Studio C).

Studio Outcomes

This studio aims to provide students with industry critical skills in generative design research, collaborative accountability and to build confidence to address the complex demands of practicing architecture today.

Studio Leaders

Dr Ripeka Walker is an architect with twenty years practice experience in the delivery of complex civic projects.  Ripeka has taught at the Melbourne School of Design since 2021.  More information here and here.

Readings & References

Guided readings will be undertaken during Weeks 1-3.  No set reading is required prior.

Students who wish to understand the context of this studio prior to making their ballot decision are encouraged to review:

• Life Saving Victoria. 2026.  "Addressing Victoria's Pool Infrastructure Challenge". Life Saving Victoria, published 26 May, 2026.
• Hromek et al. 2024. ‘A Country-centred approach to civic biodiversity,’ Architecture Australia, 5 June, 2024.
• Beardsmore, Graeme. 2021. “There's an enormous geothermal pool under the Latrobe Valley that can give us cheap, clean energy.” The Conversation, 2 December, 2021.
• Yoorook Justice Commission. 2024. “Land, Sky, Waters: Convincing Ground and Portland monuments.” YouTube, 26 March, 2024.

Schedule:
Thursday 12pm - 3pm
(30 minute break) 
Thursday 3.30pm - 6.30pm

Contact Handbook