Studio E/05

> (More Than) Studio

Megan Doody, Celine Herbiet, Joel Collins, and Jorge Ortega

Studio Description

> (More Than) Studio engages with ecological and social issues inherent to the ageing built environment of Australia’s most populous city—Melbourne.

In this first iteration of > Studio, we will explore a progressive and ambitious approach to decarbonisation by re-thinking how we both occupy and re-use existing building stock.

Our focus will be on mass timber as a means to extend the life of obsolete commercial buildings.

The studio will research and encourage experimentation to explore the possibilities of timber as a key material in the future for sustainable building practices.

Students will be guided to balance innovative design with practical applications and will be offered the opportunity to engage with leading professionals in the industry. For this exercise, we will draw on Bates Smart’s existing research into sites within the CBD suitable for mass timber extensions and will traverse a diverse range of building uses, reformulating the idea of ‘occupied spaces’ in the process.

Studio Outcomes

This studio aims to develop critical and imaginative approaches to architectural thinking by providing a platform for the exploration of innovative, effective and flexible solutions for the adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Students will develop their understanding of mass timber structures, façade and building envelope design as well as critically analyse the occupation of space, considering the experience of different users. Through a series of design exercises, we will investigate concepts and materiality at different scales that will inform the overall design outcome.

Students will select one of four sites in the Melbourne CBD and propose a programme of their choosing. Throughout the semester, tasks will be a mixture of team and individual work.  Clarity of communication through diagrams and drawings will be a focus with the aim to synthesise a compelling architectural response to the project brief.

Our sessions will be held at Bates Smart’s studio on Nicholson Street.

Studio Leaders

Celine (B. Arch.) is a registered architect in Mexico since 2014, with over 10 years of experience. Currently based in Australia and primarily working at Bates Smart Melbourne for the past six years, she specializes in mid to large scale projects across various sectors. Her expertise lies in the realm of mass timber buildings, an area she is deeply passionate about. A music aficionado, she loves concerts, festivals and being outdoors.

Joel (B.Des(VisComm)(Hons), MDes(Res), MArch) is a designer and Associate at Bates Smart. He has extensive professional experience across cultural, commercial, residential, and major public infrastructure. He specialises in concept development, and the communication of architecture and urban design.

Megan (BArchDes, MArch) is a registered architect and Associate at Bates Smart. She studied at Monash University and has experience working on all project stages as well as a range of typologies, with a focus on multi-residential and commercial. Her areas of interest span façade detail design and how to provide thoughtful outcomes to the densification of cities. She is an ex-gymnast and currently enjoys hiking, reading, ceramics and baking.

Jorge (BSc. Arch. AA MA, ARB, RIBA) is a registered architect in Mexico and the UK with 20+ years of professional practice. Past professional experience includes Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster & Partners, Woods Bagot (Lon), Aedas (HK) and Hassell. Currently he is a Design Director at Bates Smart Melbourne. He is a keen archer, martial artist, ex- glider pilot, ex- skydiver, ex- scuba diver… and loves cake.

Readings & References

• Lacaton & Vassal - free space, transformation, habiter, by Anne Lacaton, Jean-Philippe Vassal, Enrique Walker, Walther Koenig, 2021. ISBN 9788412198188
• The Experience of Architecture, by Henry Plummer. Thames & Hudson 2016. ISBN 9780500773642
• Solid Wood: Case Studies in Mass Timber Architecture, Technology and Design, by Joseph Mayo. ISBN:9780415725293
• Mass Timber, Design and Research, by Susan Jones ISBN: 9781939621955
• Breaking Point: The Future of Australian Cities, by Peter Seamer, 2019. ISBN:9781760641290
• Predictably Irrational: The hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, by Dan Ariely, HarperCollins Publishers Inc, 2010 ISBN: 9780061353246
• The Best of Hagar the Horrible, Dik Browne, 2017, ISBN 9781782766940
• Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis, New York: W. W. Norton & Company. 2003. ISBN 0-393-05765-8.
• Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook, by Martha Stewart, New York, Crown, 2006, ISBN 0307236722

Schedule Mondays and Thursdays 16:00-19:00 at the Bates Smart Office
L6, 1 Nicholson St, Melbourne (Orica House)

Contact Handbook