Design Thesis/06

Knowledge Gateway

Michael Smith

Studio Description

The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, is a critical scientific and economic engine room of Victoria.

This studio will investigate how architecture and urban design can encourage and facilitate knowledge exchange between the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct and the general public. Set in the Parkville Medical Research Precinct, opposite the Haymarket roundabout, ‘Knowledge Gateway’, will ask students to reimagine a site currently used as a construction yard for the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel.

How can this site act as a public interface with the wider research precinct? As the University of Melbourne continues its expansion south, what opportunities could this site unlock for students? More broadly again, how can this precinct interact with the wider city at both a pragmatic level, but also as a component of civic identity as a ‘knowledge city’.

Studio Outcomes

Students will research the role of the Medical Research Precinct to determine the opportunities that the subject site presents.

Students will consider how different cohorts can engage with scientific research and how design can assist in encouraging scientific engagement.

Students will design a complex building to enable the exchange of scientific ideas both within the scientific community and with the broader public.

Students will design an urban interface between and around buildings that will consider the opportunities and constraints of the brief, the site and the broader urban context

Students will develop their ability to argue for the value of good design and their ability to provide critique in a manner that is productive to the process of design.

Studio Leader/s

Michael Smith is an Architect and co-director of andever. This small architectural practice works across a variety of project typologies and applies architectural knowledge beyond the pure delivery of buildings.

Michael is a passionate advocate for diversity and was a founding member of the Australian Institute of Architects National Committee for Gender Equity (NCGE) 2014–17

Michael is also a published writer and critic having written for a variety of articles for The Age, Domain and a variety of industry facing publications. In 2023 Michael’s written pieces for The Age were awarded the Bates Smart Award for Architecture in the Media (Advocacy)

Readings & References

City Limits: Why Australia’s cities are broken and how we can fix them, Jane-Frances Kelly and Paul Donegan, Grattan Institute

Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Strategic Plan

City Of Melbourne, City North Structure Plan 2012

City of Melbourne, Future Streets Framework

Department of Transport and Planning, Central city planning provisions

Schedule Monday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm MSD Bldg  Room 237 and Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm MSD Bldg Room 139

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