Studio 42
Beyond Narrative
John Andrew Gatip & Lucas Koleits
Studio Description
Our studio will re-imagine the role of the architect by interrogating the relationship between architecture & narrative. We will treat fiction as a tool to explore the consequences of emerging futures, to question the realities of the present and to launch your projects through the lens of storytelling. You will use this technique to explore the relationship between architecture and contemporary issues within society.
Design and narrative will be treated as a symbiosis – where the design of the story will feed the architecture and the architecture will in turn feed the story. Every piece of architecture, from the humblest cottage to the grandest church, is subjected to this process. As architects, we will explore the potential of using narrative as a protagonist in the design process, allowing architecture to claim a new agency in our cities.
Studio Outcomes
Throughout the semester, with the help of industry professionals, we will hold short workshops and investigations into the nature of the architectural narrative. This will include the investigation of the role of literature, film, game design, critical writing, theater and storytelling in the built environment. The structure of the studio across the semester will focus on the development of each of your own narrative, and teaching you methods to creatively explore these pathways, and effectively translate these ideas into a conceptual architectural proposal.
You will be introduced to the idea of marrying architecture and literature by producing a creative interpretation of a passage from Italo Calvino’s invisible cities in week 1. This will be followed up with workshops focusing on creative research, conceptual design and narrative generation. The first half of semester is organized to help you distill and frame your chosen sites and stories. From there, the studio leaders will work closely to develop your project’s unique trajectory. This will be achieved through a rigorous process of extensive research, creative writing, rapid prototyping and testing of ideas. You will be encouraged to explore an array of representational methods, such as film, creative writing and model making to contribute their architectural response. The core outcome of this studio is for students to investigate the role narrative has in the design process, and to produce a design that has been intertwined with their story.
Studio Leaders
John Gatip is an architect with a Masters of Architecture degree from Melbourne School of Design. He is currently working at Inarc Architects with a strong focus on residential and heritage architecture. His work spans from architectural practice to sculpture, art installations, publication and exhibitions. He is also involved in a multi-disciplinary group called anon. where they explore the design possibilities of architecture and music through spatial installations. John was also one of the editor for the third volume of Inflection Journal, a student run journal of the Melbourne School of Design that focused on the theme of transdisciplinary practice in architecture.
Lucas Koleits is a graduate of Masters of Architecture from Melbourne School of Design as well as a masters in Antarctic Science. He is currently working as a graduate at Buro Architects where he specialises in small to medium scale residential projects. He has also worked at Hayball Architects where he focused on educational architecture. Lucas takes a multidisciplinary approach to architectural design, drawing on a broad experience of research and design skills. Lucas has also been published both locally and international for his works in the field of science and architecture.
Reading & Reference
- Invisible Cities (1972), Italo Calvino
- Narrative Architecture (2012) Nigel Coates
- Delirious New York (1978), Rem Koolhaas
- Fairy Tales Vol 1 - 3 (2015-2017) Blank Space Project
- The Australian Ugliness (1960), Robin Boyd
- Citizens of No-Place (2012), Jimenez Lai
- The Timeless Way of Building (1979), Christopher Alexander
- Blade Runner (1982)
- Blade Runner 2040 (2017)
- Alien (1979)
- Ghost in the Shell (1994)
- Monument Valley (2014) UsTwo Games Ltd
ST1/42 Tuesdays 18:15-21:15 in MSD Room 240
ST2/42 Thursdays 18:15-21:15 in MSD Room 240