Studio 04

Inter-section

Ursula Chandler

Studio Description

This studio will explore the intersecting parts of the Murray River. Focussed on the idea of dissecting and reassembling distinct elements, ideas and interests, which vie for the river and its’ water.

Using the river’s specific infrastructure [weirs, locks, bridges, barrages, channels etc.] projects will disrupt and reimagine the use, purpose and impact of these elements, looking at traditional and contemporary relationships between architecture, infrastructure and landscape.

The historic mis-management of the Murray River is symbolised by outdated, monolithic infrastructure. Outdated monuments to our historic ignorance and careless approach to our environment and it’s finite resources. Projects will use architectural propositions to respond to contemporary and conflicting issues, in regards to the environment, agriculture, human services and settlement.

Studio Outcomes

Identifying a specific piece of infrastructure for intervention, we will each draw in detail; its pieces, function, and materiality, using drawing as a methodology to investigate, understand and critique its intersecting parts, broader impact and relationship with a larger environment and context. A thorough series of interconnected mapping and sectional drawing at multiple scales will underpin this.

Through detailed research and analysis of a prior set of conditions, a nuance approach to site – both physical and metaphysical will inform our interventions.

Final architectural propositions will intersect existing infrastructure to create interventions which dually address traditional requirements of both architecture and infrastructure, and propose innovative and contemporary alternatives.

Studio Leader

Ursula has worked on projects across Australia, the United Kingdom and Africa. She currently runs her own practice having been employed as a Project Lead at Adjaye Associates [London] and at Robert Simeoni Architects and Bates Smart in Melbourne. The practice works on a range of projects types and scales and in 2019 was short-listed for the annual NGV Architecture Commission Competition. Ursula has led studios in Design Thesis on and off since 2012, has previously taught architectural history and construction technology and is an examiner for the ARB registration exam. She graduated from the University of Melbourne and received the RAIA Bates Smart Graduate Prize, Robert Barber Award in Landscape Architecture and a Dean’s Honours Award.

Readings & References

• Adjaye, D., Allison P. (editor) (2016). Constructed Narratives. Lars Müller Publishing
• Gammage, Bill (2011). The biggest estate on earth: how Aborigines made Australia. Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, N.S.W
• Davies, P., & Lawrence, S. (2019). Engineered landscapes of the southern Murray–Darling Basin: Anthropocene archaeology in Australia. The Anthropocene Review, 6(3), 179–206. https://doi.org/10.1177/2053019619872826
• O'Gorman, Emily & CSIRO (2012). Flood country: an environmental history of the Murray-Darling basin. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria
• Rossi, A. (1984). The Architecture of The City. MIT Press
• Weller, Richard & Bolleter, Julian, (author.) (2013). Made in Australia : the future of Australian cities. UWA Publishing, Crawley, Western Australia

Schedule Mondays 12:00-15:00 and Thursdays 18:15-21:15

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