Studio 04

Park-it, like it's hot.

Tom Harper with Brock Hogan

Studio Description

Students will participate in the Future Park International Design Ideas Competition and will be required to submit their designs in response to this studio and the competition brief.

Park-it like its hot is a design ideas studio that will locate, position, and design future urban parks within inner city Melbourne. The importance and value of public parks are increasing as a result of continued urbanisation and change within our city. Population density increase, demographic change, and the need to address climate adaptation are more important than ever. As of today, the last new public park proposed in Melbourne City was back in 1980 with City Square. Melbourne CBD residential population has doubled in this time. The studio will explore the relationship between density, public space and people and propose a new strategy in locating a new park, and what the design of a park in future Melbourne would be.

This studio asks students to rethink the role, scale and typology of future public space in Melbourne, and to query the application and associated politics. Through the lens of livability, which is intrinsically linked to Melbourne’s identity, students will be required to critique current strategies and targets around proximity and quantity of public open space. The studio will explore different theoretical approaches for the location and application of public space, including means of acquisition in the face of varying political agendas and future community needs.

Studio Outcome

The studio will be delivered through three distinct phases.

  • Where to Park – (The City) Develop a strategy to locate your park.
  • What to Park – (The Park) Determine the purpose and program of your park.
  • How to Park – (The People) Explore design generation techniques in park design.

Each of the three proposed stages will have a set of deliverables. Stage one will require students to formulate a new set of guidelines in locating a new park in the year 2030. Stage two will require students to develop a robust investigation into future use of their parks, and finally, in stage three, develop a series of generative design techniques using various modelling and drawing techniques.

Studio Leaders

Tom Harper Director: Placemark Studio

Over the past 17 years, Tom has studied and worked in many different roles both locally and internationally within the architecture, design and marketing and communication practices. Since 2016, along with Brock Hogan, they founded Placemark Studio. Tom has a passion for creating places of purpose – spaces that define the livability and culture of our cities.

Tom will draw on his experience as a landscape architect, teacher, researcher and place branding professional to explore and build upon the relationship between density, public space and livability. Tom will also share his research and design knowledge with students to empower them to make more informed decisions and to be proactive in creating positive change within the city.

Readings & References

Contact Handbook

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