Studio 34
Home Home
Mitchell Eaton and Simon Dinh
Studio Description
Home Home studio investigates the holiday house as an important typology in Australian Residential Architecture. Heavily publicised in local and international media, our award winning second homes are perhaps over-represented when it comes to our image of the Australian House.
The typology has evolved from a humble fibro shack to become a rich testing ground for our most decorated architects. Without the constraints of more typical urban sites, more programmatic freedom, and the opportunity to connect with stunning native landscapes, holiday houses offer the chance to explore architectural concepts in a pure, undiluted way.
The studio will focus on three main areas. Firstly, exposure to ‘real’ clients and their specificities. Students will engage with their chosen clients to develop a rich brief full of potential architectural drivers. Secondly, the format will encourage students to explore a range of generative techniques for form finding and planning; utilising traditional art, models, sculpture, film, collage etc. Finally, given the remote beauty of our sites, environmental and contextual responsiveness will form a large component.
Studio Outcomes
The studio is structured into two design projects. The first, minor project is an alteration and addition to their chosen client’s primary inner-city residence. This project establishes a connection between the student and the client, which will enrich their backstory and go on to inform the second project. The second, major project is the holiday house. Where students will continue to explore their ideas in a different context. With a choice from 3 different clients, and 2 different sites for the holiday house - one by the beach, one in the bush, students can tailor the studio to their own interests.
Content will be delivered through readings, case studies and discussions. Students will be tasked with small research projects, then progress into client ‘meetings’, and presentations. Participants in the studio will be exposed to the pragmatics of delivering residential architecture, while the brief encourages challenges to the norm, experimental and innovative outcomes. It is expected students in this studio will improve their ability to communicate with clients in both briefing and expressing their design intent, a crucial skill in the delivery of bespoke architecture.
Studio Leaders
MITCH EATON studied architecture at the University of Melbourne with a focus in Technology and Sustainability. He is a registered architect having worked with award winning practices McBride Charles Ryan and Buro. Mitch’s professional experience includes projects across a diverse range of programs and scales. He is particularly interested in residential typologies and the importance of the relationship between architect and client in delivering thoughtful, sustainable and genuinely personal homes.
SIMON DINH completed his architectural studies between The University of Melbourne and TU Delft in The Netherlands. After working at Shigeru Ban's office in Tokyo, he returned to Melbourne where he currently holds an Associate position with emerging architecture office Branch Studio Architects. Simon is passionate about thoughtful, considered architecture that enriches the lives and well-being of its users.
TRAVEL Week 1 | $0
ST1/34 Monday 6:15-9:15PM, MSD Room 228
ST2/34 Thursday 6:15-9:15PM, MSD Room 228