Studio 09

Belongingness

Qinghua Guo and Xiaojing Sang

Studio Description

Over the first two decades of this century Australia has experienced significant demographic change. With low birth rates, the country has transitioned into an aging population presenting significant economic challenges to the nation. A key response has been to welcome international migrants to boost the workforce. Blackburn South, Box hill and Glen Waverley are favourite suburbs for East Asian communities. In Blackburn South, 43.3% of the population now have parents born overseas, and a half of them speak Mandarin or Cantonese at home. Many are now reaching retirement age themselves and need to move into aged care. This studio asks you to consider the socio-cultural factors implicit in the architectural brief. For many East Asians, culture is expressed through Feng Shui. They believe that Feng Shui is the art of balance to ensure peace and bring happiness into life. This is a real project for Regis Aged Care on a site in Blackburn South. The brief is for a 4 level (plus basement) facility with 189 bedrooms and 16 apartments plus parking for 70 cars.

Studio Outcome

How might you explore culturally appropriate way (or ways) of care delivery for East Asians in the Australian context? But the studio also asks you to consider what forces are implicit in Australia’s culture, suburban context and landscape that might transform this facility into a space of hybridity and cultural exchange?

Studio Leaders

Professor Qinghua Guo brings an expertise in Feng Shui and East Asian architecture while Xiaojing Sang straddles Chinese and Australian culture with strong practice experience locally.

Xiaojing Sang, Bachelor of Arch (2003), Tongji University, Shanghai; Master, UNSW (2006); 2012-14, Tutor of Level D, UoM; 2007, Lab architecture studio; 2008-12 Lyons architecture; 2012-17 Denton Corker Marshall; 2019, MADE architects.

Readings & References

• Alice Pung (ed.), Growing up Asian in Australia. Melbourne: Black Inc., 2008.
• Sarah Rossbach, Feng shui: the Chinese art of placement. New York: Dutton, 1983.
• Alan Pifer and Lydia Bronte (ed.), Our aging society: paradox and promise. New York: W.W. Norton, 1986.
• Jeffrey Anderzhon and others, Design for aging: international case studies of building and program. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
• Richard Rogers, A Place for All People: Life, Architecture and the Fair Society. Canongate Books; Main edition, 2017.

Schedule Tuesdays 12:00-15:00 and Fridays 09:00-12:00 in MSD Room 140

Travel Blackburn South | 24 March | $6

Contact Handbook Key Dates