Reimaging Suburbia

Nayan Puri & Adrian Chu

Studio Description

A home is more than just four walls and a roof— it is a sanctuary, a place where one feels safe, finds solace, and creates a sense of belonging. Yet, modern pressures have eroded this sense of safety. Rising housing costs, financial insecurity, and housing shortages have left many unable to claim a space of their own.

At the same time, housing solutions have prioritised rapid expansion over thoughtful design. And what we’ve been left with is profit-driven housing stock that not only lacks flexibility, adaptability and liveability, but is also not environmentally or socially sustainable.

As housing grows more unstable, uninspiring, and unattainable, entire generations are left questioning whether they will ever be able to live the way they aspire to.

This studio seeks to challenge conventional suburban development and explore new housing models that prioritise both social and environmental sustainability. By reimagining suburbia, we aim to create blueprints for communities that are not only functional but also nurturing, inclusive and resilient.

Studio Outcomes

The studio will tackle the challenges of modern suburban living through the design of two modest houses and a workshop/studio. Situated on a 417m² site in Northcote, the project replaces an aging three-bedroom weatherboard house with a more environmentally and socially sustainable vision for suburban housing.

As a real, client-driven project, students will engage directly with environmentally conscious clients who bring specific requirements. However, they will also have the freedom to interpret sustainability in their own way, balancing the clients’ needs with their own design approach. Beyond environmental considerations, students must critically engage with contemporary suburban housing discourse, assess the ecological impact of their design choices, and thoughtfully integrate materials and systems as an expression of their architectural vision. This studio provides an opportunity to merge sustainability, client needs, and design innovation into a meaningful architectural response.

Studio Leader/s

Nayan Puri has a background in architecture and education, specialising in Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD). Throughout her career, she has worked on environmentally and socially focused design projects both in Australia and overseas, including Natural Building projects in Thailand, the Mullum Creek environmental housing development and Passive House projects with Imogen Pullar Architects.

For nine years, she has taught in a wide range of studios and electives at the Melbourne School of Design, including Masters Design Studios, Environmental Building Systems, Environmental Technologies Humanitarian Development, Construction and Visual Communications at both undergrad and master’s level. She finds great joy in working with students, sharing her passion for environmentalism and design, and supporting their learning journeys.

Adrian Chu is trained in architecture and specialises in environmentally sustainable design and building technologies. Adrian has worked in architectural practice and in ESD consulting, primarily conducting residential energy ratings and energy audits of commercial buildings.

Adrian has taught at the University of Melbourne for the last ten years, teaching in the Architecture, Construction and Property programs, both at undergraduate and graduate levels. Adrian is also part of the faculty’s teaching and learning unit and has a keen interest in the use of technology and multimedia in the creation of innovative teaching and learning activities.

Readings & References

AHURI. (2022). Different housing solutions to support our older Australians. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022-05/PES-378-Different-housing-solutions-to-support-our-older-Australians.pdf

Grattan Institute. (2018). Reimagining the Australian suburb. https://grattan.edu.au/report/housing-affordability-re-imagining-the-australian-dream/

Hanson, C. S., & ScottHanson, K. (2004). The co-housing handbook: Building a place for community. New Society Publishers. https://library.uniteddiversity.coop/Ecovillages_and_Low_Impact_Development/Cohousing/The_Cohousing_Handbook-Building_a_Place_for_Community.pdf

Holmgren, D. (2013). Retrofitting the suburbs: The transition to a resilient future. Simplicity Institute. https://holmgren.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2003/11/RetrofittingTheSuburbsSimplicityInstitute1.pdf

Nelson, A., & Schneider, F. (2019). Housing for degrowth: Principles, models, challenges and opportunities. Routledge. https://research.ebsco.com/c/xppotz/search/details/gmpwfquhhv?limiters=FT1%3AY&q=Housing%20for%20Degrowth%3A%20Principles%2C%20Models%2C%20Challenges%20and%20Opportunities

Newman, P., & Jennings, I. (2008). Cities as sustainable ecosystems: Principles and practices. Island Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/unimelb/detail.action?docID=3317481

Schedule:
Monday 6:15-9:15pm, MSD 141
Thursday 6:15-9:15pm, MSD 141


Off-site Activities:
Northcote

Contact Handbook