Studio 16
NURA House
Joel Benichou
This studio is available to students enrolled in ABPL90142 Studio C, ABPL90143 Studio D, and ABPL90115 Studio E.
Studio Description
As our city swells and strains under the stress of development and growth, an increasing number of Melbournians are dreaming of an escape to the regional and coastal areas beyond the conurbation.
The notion of permanent or periodic reconnection with the natural world is an attractive proposition to those spending an increasing amount of time immersed in the digital realm. This semester, Studio 16 will ask students to consider what it means to escape the city and dwell amongst the dunes of Rye Back Beach.
In collaboration with NEOMETRO, Studio NURA House will examine a series of land lots available for sensitive development in one of Australia’s most spectacular costal landscapes and ask students to design a residence within the pristine Mornington Peninsula site while considering environmental sensibilities and capturing an architecture with a strong sense of Australian identity.
Studio Outcomes
Students of Studio NURA House will have the opportunity to work on a real-world project and gain exposure to a collection of industry experts and leading global architectural studios including Aires Mateus, Edition Office, Wolveridge Architects, Robert Simeoni Architects and MA Architects.
The first part of semester will be spent collecting data and developing a conceptual design response in relation to the NURA brief. Students will spend time analysing the unique topography of the site, the rituals of living, culture, materiality, climate, light and tectonics with the aim of uncovering an architecture that is relevant, practical, refined and beautiful in its simplicity.
Studio Leaders
Joel Benichou enjoys an inherent curiosity of the built environment and a passion for seeking solutions through design.
Joel is owner and principal architect of the practice Benichou Architects. Joel studied architecture at the University of Western Australia completing a Master of Architecture degree, focusing his independent research on modular pre‐fabrication and residential design.
Joel has had experience with some of the leading residential design practices in Australia working on a wide range of projects and has also contributed to the architectural discourse having led Architecture and Interior Design Studios at the University of Melbourne, RMIT and the Australian College of the Arts.
Joel is currently registered as Architect in Victoria under the certification of the ARBV.
Readings & References
- https://www.nurarye.com/
- http://openjournal.com.au/the-story-of-nura-chapter-1/
- Frampton, K. - Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six Points for an Architecture of Resistance.
- Pallasmaa, J - Space, Place and Atmosphere. Emotion and Peripheral Perception in Architectural Experience
- Massumi, B. - Movement, Affect, Sensation. Parables for the Virtual
- Sowden, H – Towards and Australian Architecture
- Boyd, R – Living in Australia
Schedule Tuesdays 15:15-18:15 and Thursdays 17:15-20:15