Hassell’s Post

This panel discussion is an Australian Architecture Conference fringe event and is open to all to attend, not just conference attendees. Register here: https://aus.archi/9ftr If you are not registered for the conference, toggle the button “Fringe Events Only: select your Fringe event tickets below” then add “Return to the Centre: The Future of the Australian CBD” to your checkout cart, and register your attendance. As our environments of work and home profoundly changed through lockdowns, value was shown where it had previously been overlooked, and new possibilities for how we occupied our physical environments emerged – sometimes radically. Alongside these rapid adaptations, climate impacts and significant rises in living costs have been exerting their own influence on the patterns of our daily urban life. What’s this now mean for our disrupted city centres? What economic, social, and cultural rhythms do we want to see develop in the future? In the aftermath of the pandemic, what lessons and values about the importance of the CBD as a key hub now guide us? Just what is the future of the Australian CBD? Join leading figures from across government, the arts, business and the built environment in a dynamic panel discussion. This event will be held at the Edge in Federation Square, and is presented in partnership with ALSPEC and Open House Melbourne. When: Thursday 9 May 2024 Time: 4:30pm arrival, 5pm start. Finishing at 6:30pm Where: The Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne VIC 3000 Panellists: Cr Nicholas Reece – Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne Philip Oldfield – Head of School, Built Environment, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Kellie Payne – Director, Workplace Strategy Team, Bates Smart Katrina Sedgwick - Director & CEO at Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co) Mark Tait - Group Executive & Head of Development, Investa

🚀 Exploring the Depth of Urban Spaces: Reflections on the Urban Depth & Autonomy Workshops I’m enjoying reflecting on the incredible journey of the Urban Depth workshop series, hosted at London Met, curated by Hannah Parr and captured beautifully on our dedicated page, including videos, transcripts and Miro boards with discussions: https://lnkd.in/eSXt2cC5 This interdisciplinary initiative with University of Glasgow's Professor Ben Colburn brought together architects, urban planners, artists, and academics to dive into the complexities of urban environments, focusing on autonomy, space, and the ways we interact with our built surroundings. From dissecting architectural depth to reimagining how we design spaces for inclusivity and connection, these workshops provided a platform for rich dialogue, innovative thinking, and actionable insights. Brilliant presentations from: Dr David Littlefield Paula Cawthorne Bobby Supatira Karolina Konecka Natalia Olszewska Machiel Van Dorst Alice Cabaret Lindsay McCunn, PhD Vikas Mehta Agustina Martire Birgit Hausleitner Fiona Scott Nicola Bacon Francesca Froy Mathieu Proctor Some of the key highlights: 🌍 A collaborative exploration of urban spaces and their social, cultural, and political dynamics. 🛠 Practical sessions combining theory and creative practice to inspire fresh approaches to placemaking. 🤝 A community-driven environment that fostered knowledge exchange and lasting professional networks. The ideas and connections sparked during these sessions continue to resonate, shaping new projects, collaborations, and even influencing how we think about the spaces we inhabit. If you’re curious about urban design, placemaking, or interdisciplinary research, I encourage you to explore the page, read about the workshops, and consider how these insights could inform your work. Let’s keep the conversation going—how do you see the future of urban environments evolving and how can they facilitate human flourishing and autonomy? #UrbanDesign #Architecture #InterdisciplinaryResearch #Placemaking #Collaboration

Wandering in Sydney, observing how buildings, transportation, and urban design intersect. Our cities reflect compartmentalized thinking, highlighting the need for transdisciplinary visions. 📷 File Name: 5510, Notes on Walking #UrbanDesign #CityPlanning #Transdisciplinary #Sydney

Below is a walkthrough video of my reimagined Durban City Hall. The design builds on the existing structure, extending upward into a new glass dome inspired by the traditional Zulu woven basket, creating a space that embodies democracy and transparency. This city hall is more than a utilitarian structure; it is a celebration of community and culture. On the ground floor is the public library, the first floor houses the Natural Science Museum, and the second floor holds the art gallery and administrative functions, including the mayor’s office. This arrangement creates a poetic contrast—on one side, the seat of power, and on the other, a space for the people’s voice through art. It is a dialogue between governance and humanity, authority and creativity, power and the people. Within the dome, there is a space for the public to observe the processions within the council chamber, as well as a sky garden offering panoramic views of the city. A key feature is the ceremonial ramp that spirals throughout the building—a symbolic celebration of democracy, placing the people at the center of the design. It redefines the relationship between the public and power by making governance visible and accessible, with the council chamber designed to be transparent, allowing the public to visually engage with the democratic processes within. For architecture to be truly South African, it should not merely represent cultural elements but should first be defined by how well it functions, how accessible it is, and the public’s perception of it. If this criteria is met positively, then this is what defines South African architecture in a democratic era.

Great outdoor spaces don’t just happen—they’re thoughtfully designed to be inclusive, accessible, and reflective of the communities they serve. 🌿✨ By embracing universal design and collaboration, landscape architects create shared spaces where people can connect, celebrate their differences, and feel a sense of belonging. These environments not only enhance safety and sustainability but also foster meaningful community identity. 

An emerging field of ‘neuroarchitectural’ research is revealing how building facades and urban design impact the human brain and body.

An emerging field of ‘neuroarchitectural’ research is revealing how building facades and urban design impact the human brain and body.

FORM FOLLOWS LIFE REINVENTING CITIES DESIGNING FOR LIFE In this competition, we challenge participants to reimagine urban spaces through the lens of life (including human, plant and animal). Proposals should develop an approach to shape cities as systems supporting life and enhancing its relational qualities, rather than as productive and efficient ‘machines’. Participants are invited to submit designs that showcase the transformation of urban spaces into thriving ecosystems that respect and reflect the complex interdependencies of life. The designs should explore radical approaches towards the rethinking and designing of urban spaces. / towards “form follows life” (principle inviting form to promote and enhance life’s web of relationships, interdependence, and mutual thriving - Olivia Bina inspired by Gilles Clément and Patrick Geddes).

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend an online workshop by Gehl - Making Cities for People organized for urban reform. The session focused on “People-Centric Neighborhood Design”, and it was both inspiring and thought-provoking. We explored some of the most pressing questions in urban design: 🔹 What should we prioritize when designing public spaces? 🔹 How can we effectively measure the quality of these spaces? 🔹 And perhaps most importantly, how do we communicate these insights to the community and local governments? It was a reminder that public spaces are not just places but experiences, and their design has a profound impact on the well-being of communities. A big thank you to Gehl for sharing their expertise and for organizing such a valuable event.

How to utilise systems thinking in urbanism? 📣"[Cities are] multiple systems, threaded together, nested inside each other, interacting with each other in different complex ways." 😯Are you interested in the city as tangle of systems and flows? What do you think is the connection among nature, technology and culture? How can we create real smart cities? 🚨New interview episode (288I) with Dan Hill, the Director of the Melbourne School of Design (Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne. We talk about his vision for the future of cities, hope and optimism, engineering and design, scale of cities, and many more. Dan Hill is a designer, urbanist, and educator with extensive experience leading across multiple sectors. Dan is currently the Director of the Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne and a professor of the built environment. His career has spanned roles such as Director of Strategic Design at Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, the Finnish innovation fund Sitra, the global design firm Arup, and the BBC. Dan has worked on urban development and design projects globally, collaborating with clients like Google, Lendlease, The British Library, Victoria and Albert Museum, and City of Melbourne. He’s also a founder board member of the Council on Urban Initiatives and UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP), and former professor at the . Dan is also an accomplished author, known for works like “Dark Matter & Trojan Horses” and “Designing Missions.”