Studio 4
Opportunistic Urbanism 2018
Andy Fergus & Katherine Sundermann
Studio Description
This international studio exposes students to the distinctive ‘Dutch approach’ to architecture and urbanism. In particular the studio focuses on experiments in urbanism which emerged in the Netherlands following the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, particularly within urban renewal precincts where young designers and the community took charge - not developers. (p)Based in Rotterdam, but visiting Amsterdam, Delft and The Hague, the studio responds to a live research brief from Rotterdam-based think-tank Deltametropolis Association. The 2018 research project focuses on De Stad Van De Toekomst or ‘City of the Future’ project. The exercise is to explore within a case study 1km x 1km urban block how Dutch cities can rapidly transition their energy, waste and other urban systems as a showcase to meet the challenges of the future. (p)Our job is to test these ideas in experimental neighbourhood designs which learn from and improve upon exemplars across Northern Europe as well as some local examples such as Nightingale and Assemble.
Studio Outcomes
- explore research led design proposals within the real world project of 'Stad van de Toekomst' or 'Future City'
- develop design responses that respond to multiple scales, as well as disciplines, engaging with architecture, urban design, strategic planning and landscape architecture
- understand the opportunities that come from focusing on people over profit in urban development
- explore a variety of housing and living environment typologies in dense central city context.
- expose students to the planning, development and design culture of the Netherlands.
- allow students to reflect on architecture and urbanism in Melbourne from a Dutch perspective.
Studio Leaders
ANDY FERGUS is a Senior Urban Designer at the City of Melbourne. Andy currently works on major development projects and design excellence policy in central Melbourne in addition to Nightingale Housing and other community led development projects. He brings a strong passion for cities, with an interest in how the design of living environments shapes the vitality and tolerance of urban places. Andy's multi-disciplinary background encompasses urban design, urban planning and architecture, reflecting experience and interest across all scales of the urban environment. With current and past roles in government, not-for-profit, private sector planning and urban design, activism as well as architectural practice Andy brings a strong understanding of both top-down and bottom-up approaches to urbanism.
KATHERINE SUNDERMANN is an Associate Director at MGS Architects. Her recent work includes masterplanning and strategic studies for university campuses, creative employment precincts, community infrastructure and urban renewal projects across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Katherine brings experience in architecture and urban design practice locally, as well as in Germany and the Netherlands. She has completed a post-professional Master in Urbanism at TU Delft, focusing on regional design, performative urban design and collaborative planning. Since returning to Melbourne, Katherine has sought to explore the ‘Dutch approach’ to urbanism in a local context, seeking to integrate the often segregated fields of architecture, urban design and planning.
Reading & Reference
Creative Workers
- Ted X Chiang Mai – Amari Charoenphan Co-Working can Change the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0RSc9mtZp4 Ted X Chiang Mai
- Woodland, M. (2017) What happens when the Prairie Dogs Abandon their Cubicles?
- Failed Architecture Colonising the Street – How Green points Retail Newcomers Market Authenticity https://www.failedarchitecture.com/colonising-the-street-howgreenpoints-retail-newcomers-market-authenticity/
Demographic Trends
- MADA (2015) Age Friendly Cities and Neighbourhoods. An ARC Linkage Project
- Widdicombe, L. (2016). Happy Together – The Rise of the Co Living Start-up http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/16/the-rise-of-the-co-living-startup
Control vs Flexibility
- Lehnerer, A. (2009). Grand urban rules. 010 Publishers. (Chapter 1 Rules as Tools, A token of affection)
- Urhan Urban Design (2010). The Spontaneous City. BI S Publishers. (Manifesto for a spontaneous city)
User Led Development
- Parvin, A (2015) An Open Manifesto for Housing https://medium.com/@AlastairParvin/an-open-manifesto-for-housing-a56cf4eed2a1
- Sundermann, K. Fergus, A (2016). Learning from Berlin, Lessons for Emerging Collective Housing https://architectureau.com/articles/learning-from-berlin-lessons-for-emerging-collective-housing/
- Neue Hamburger Terrassen LAN Architecture - https://vimeo.com/105240214
- Ritterstrasse 50, Heide and Von Beckerath Architecture - R50 Berlin video https://vimeo.com/87466748
Living with Water
- Hooimeijer, F. (2014). The Making of Polder Cities. A Fine Dutch Tradition. Jap Sam Books. (Chapter 1 & 2)
- MUST, Witteveen Bos. (2013) Water Resistant Westpoort. Pilot Study of Critical Functions in the Port of Amsterdam
- Gemente Amsterdam (2013) Amsterdam Rainproof www.rainproof.nl
Urban experience
- Stipo - The City at Eye Level Short Film Series
- The Central Melbourne Design Guide https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hdp.au.prod.app.com-participate.files/8415/2998/6449/The_Melbourne_Design_Guide.pdf
TRAVEL: Week 4 | $4000
ST1/04 Mondays 18:15-21:15 in MSD Room 139
ST2/04 Thursdays 18:15-21:15 in MSD Room 124