Summer Design Studio 4

Love Hotel

Laura Martires & Virginia Mannering

In a world progressively detached from physical content architecture plays a key role as a mediator between ideas and reality. The spaces we create as designers have the potential to be truly innovative whilst still responding highly to context.

It is here we operate. Highly charged sites trigger generative design processes in the creation of novel forms of architecture.

The studio will focus on the design of a ‘Love Hotel’ as part of a general urban research in which students perform a series of initial esquisse projects that deal with varied urban conditions in Melbourne.

Studio Format

Students work in pairs or small groups in the first half of the studio and generate 3-4 small scale interventions around the city (ex: Fitzroy, St.Kilda, CBD, Collingwood). On the second half of the studio students work individually to develop a project combining their initial esquisses into one medium scale design.’

Initially the focus will be on developing form through the drawing and analysis of the urban condition. The second half of the studio will see students developing one of these ‘shells’ and its interior, focusing on the experiential qualities of the spaces (light, colour, material, etc);

Students will develop design processes that are inherently urban and will gain experience in contemporary site analysis techniques, diagramming and 3D modelling.

In addition they will develop excellent drawing and representation skills that are unique and individual to their projects.

Studio Leaders

LAURA MARTIRES and VIRGINIA MANNERING have been running their individual studios at the University of Melbourne for several semesters. They are both interested in developing projects that respond highly to context at different scales. They aim to combine their expertise in urban and interior design to develop a comprehensive design studio that challenges students to question contemporary architectural design and their views on what ‘good’ responsive architecture should/could be.

ST1/04 Monday 13:00 - 17:00
ST2/04 Wednesday 13:00 - 17:00
ST3/04 Friday 13:00 - 17:00
All classes in MSD Room 140