Project Coordinators:
Simon Whibley, RMIT Architecture, Urban Architecture Laboratory
Anthony McInneny, RMIT School of Art, RMIT Public Art
The transformation of existing suburban shopping centres to urban centres is intended as a key outcome of the Melbourne 2030 planning strategy. This alters the once exclusively commercial areas of the suburbs to much more diverse combinations of housing, employment, recreational and civic functions. Such a radical transformation is currently being undertaken by Knox City Council through the Knox Urban Design Framework (UDF). A design investigation of these conditions is taking place through two linked activities. Transform Studio is an upperpool design studio bringing together RMIT Architecture and Public Art students to address these issues. Transform Elective is an interdisciplinary elective involving RMIT Architecture and Public Art students in collaborative teams with practicing architects and artists to design and construct a series of temporary art and architectural interventions in the former site of Rembrandt’s Function Centre, opposite Knox Central Shopping Centre.
Transform Elective: a partnership project constructing civic space in suburban commercial environments
RMIT Urban Architecture & RMIT Public Art Elective
Supervisors:
Simon Whibley, RMIT Architecture, Urban Architecture Laboratory
Anthony McInneny, RMIT School of Art, RMIT Public Art
Semester 2, 2008
The site of the Rembrandt’s function centre has been identified as a site symbolising both the formation of Knox as a municipality established in the late 1960’s and 1970’s and the current transformation of Knox Central into a city centre. Though less that 30 years old, the site has significant cultural significance as a place of suburban celebration and ceremony. The Rembrandt’s site is to be re-developed soon and there exists the opportunity to utilise the vacated building as a site for artistic intervention. This live project is for the design and construction of a series of temporary art and architectural interventions in the Rembrandt’s site. Transform Elective students from RMIT Architecture and RMIT Public Art will work with the participant artists and architects to document and produce the installation projects.
Supervisors:
Simon Whibley, Fraser Paxton, RMIT Architecture, Urban Architecture Laboratory
Anthony McInneny, RMIT School of Art, RMIT Public ArtFunded by RMIT Design Research Institute: Urban Liveability
In the Transform Studio, architectural processes of transformation are to be used to frame students investigations. Changes of use, of building shape, and of material create exciting and disturbing newness. The focus of the studio will be the transformation of the Lewis Park fl ood retarding basin to a residential, civic and educational precinct. Students will to undertake and present a series of esquisse projects within this site area, utilising different investigations of transformation. Each student will then develop these initial investigations to design an educational project within the site area. This eco-learning centre is a key element of the Knox City Council’s vision for Lewis Park. Site research and design workshops will occur in conjunction with RMIT Public Art Students and invited guests from the Knox City Council. This project is strongly supported by the Knox City Council. There will be a subsequent publication and exhibition of the studio work.
