Studio 5
UPSIDE TOWN
David Mah
Studio Description
The suburban landscapes that have dominated much of Australia’s urbanization persist today as an emblem for a national way of life. However, over the last couple of decades, the country has cultivated urban landscapes and cultures that can be said to offer a counterpoint to this model for living. The thesis studio is framed by an ambition to focus on the urban models and lifestyles accompanying Melbourne’s recent period of growth and associated densification.
Not without its critics and detractors, high-rise and high-density developments now occupy a highly visible presence in the Australian city. Melbourne’s densification and growth has been touted in equal measures as a cause for celebration and is also seen to be sounding a death knell for the city’s character and way of life.
These urban developments are the material supports of an alternate urban culture of density and congestion that is often seen or represented as a parralel universe to the familiarity of the suburbs. The thesis studio will engage in an exploration of Melbourne’s upward towns and its associated populations or constituencies of downsizers, foreign students, renters young and old, expatriates, migrants, “locals”, short stayers, tourists, professionals, investors, money launderers and even families...
Studio Leader
David Mah is a senior lecturer in urban design and architecture at the University of Melbourne’s school of design.
Previous to the MSD, David was a lecturer at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design (2010-2017).
Previous to Harvard, he also taught design and theory at Cornell University’s department of architecture (2007-2010) and Landscape Urbanism at the graduate design school of the Architectural Association in London (2004-2007)
ST1/05 Tuesday 9AM-12, MSD Room 239
ST2/05 Friday 9AM-12, MSD Room 139
~ Also offered as ABPL90376 Urban Design Thesis ~