RMIT Showcases Urban Innovations at Open House Melbourne
RMIT architecture, design and landscape experts will be part of a range of events as part of the Open House Melbourne 2024 program, which begins this week.
RMIT’s Capitol Theatre will play host to three events this year – Designing with Country, which ran earlier this week featuring the Yulendj Weelam Design Research Lab from RMIT’s School of Architecture and Urban Design, This is Public – held on the opening night of Open House 2024 – and the Heritage Address.
RMIT will also be showcasing some of the University’s world-class and distinctly Melbourne buildings during the Open House Melbourne Weekend, running tours of Building 8, along with tours of the famous Capitol Theatre.
Meaningful conversations about thoughtful design
Designing with Country looked at the translation of First Peoples’ knowledges and culture into architecture, landscape architecture and the urban realm and how this is shaping our built and natural environment.
Hosted by the RMIT Architecture and Urban Design Yulendj Weelam Lab, the lively panel discussion has become an annual event as part of Open House Melbourne. It aims to encourage meaningful conversations to unpack how architects and built environment professionals can work together with First Peoples to ensure we are designing respectfully and thoughtfully with, and on, Country.
“This series focuses on what our future built environments might look like when we responsibly engage with and support First Peoples voices, knowledges and perspectives,” explained Dr Christine Phillips, Senior Lecturer in Architecture in the College of Design and Social Context (DSC) at RMIT, and member of the Yulendj Weelam Lab.
“The idea came about from conversations we had been having with several prominent First Peoples Elders and knowledge holders which we felt should be shared more broadly within a public forum.”
“Attendees were treated to a lively conversation between two Indigenous knowledge holders currently working within the built environment and two non-Indigenous design practitioners and academics.”
Dr Jock Gilbert, Lecturer in Landscape Architecture in the College of Design and Social Context (DSC) at RMIT, and member of the Yulendj Weelam Lab said it was important for the community to build a deeper understanding of the land which we live on, in order to develop a sense of identity and home, and engaging with First Nations’ perspectives was a pathway to developing this sense of home/
“Our First Nations people have developed that sense of deep home over perhaps 100,000 years,” he said.
“This is an extraordinary achievement which holds lessons for all – lessons that we have a responsibility to grapple with and learn.”
RMIT opening its doors
The University will be opening its doors to the public as part of Open House Melbourne 2024. As one of Melbourne’s oldest institutions, and with a long list of alumni in the architecture and design space, RMIT continues to play a central role in the look and feel of Melbourne.
Building 8 on RMIT’s City campus is widely recognised nationally as being distinctly ‘Melbourne’ in character and ideas. A multi-level education exchange engaging in the idea of uniting opposites, it was described by a national architectural commentator as a building that “thinks it’s a city.”
During Open House, the building will be open to the public for people to discover the hidden treasures of the architectural design by Edmond & Corrigan. The tours will be run by RMIT Architecture and Urban Design lecturer Stuart Harrison and Claire Scorpo, director at Agius Scorpo Architects.
Tours of the historic Capitol Theatre – which celebrates its 100th anniversary later in 2024 – will also run again this year.
A wider celebration of good design
The Open House Melbourne Weekend celebrates good design by opening up a diverse range of buildings, places and spaces, inspiring public engagement in conversations about the future of Melbourne.
Taking place annually in the last weekend of July, Open House presents open buildings, tours, talks and events in collaboration with architects and designers, building custodians, community organisations and creative practitioners that demonstrate the significant role that design has to play in the issues shaping our city.
“Open House Melbourne has quickly grown to become one of Melbourne’s most widely attended cultural events,” said Gilbert.
“By empowering people with knowledge around the impact of good design decisions in our built environment, we aim to ensure Victoria—and its capital city—remains a liveable and vibrant place now and into the future.”
RMIT’s presence is felt throughout Open House Melbourne, with current staff, students and alumni all contributing to the facilitation and presentation of the week. Located in the heart of Melbourne, RMIT has a long-lasting and significant connection with the city.