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[stories-of-place]

Why do some places scare us, while others make us feel safe, or sad, or exhilarated? What stories lie hidden in graveyards, alleys, parks, nursing homes, casinos, shopping malls, abandoned buildings? What role can design play in shaping places – and how do stories fit into the picture? As designers and creators, how might we intervene to uncover or alter the story of a place?

This blog tracks explorations by RMIT Industrial Design students for the 2017 course “You Are Here - Exploring Stories of Place”.  Drawing on psychogeography, storytelling, mapping, culture jamming, site photography, human geography, sensory experiments, field trips and urban interventions, we explored how stories are embedded in places, and delved into the hidden forces that bring places to life in the human imagination. Staging a series of DIY urban design interventions across Melbourne, we sought to prompt discussion and debate, highlight particular social issues, enhance the urban landscape, provoke surprise or delight, and question dominant narratives of place. We also had a shitload of fun. [Meg Mundell]

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Adventuring lane ways of China Town, surrounded by walls of graffitti, it feels much quieter than Little Bourke st only a few paces away.  In only a small distance its funny how we can be transported so quickly. These laneways show a different story to the busy shopfronts inviting people in. Instead they are filled with industrial-sized bins, workers in chef whites sorting out rubbish, and a woman smoking alone. 

Danny and Indigo

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Interesting elements frame this doorway, step details inviting the eye of the passer-by in. The grey concrete is industrial looking, however something about the worn structure suggests that many people have been here before. The green door punctuates its surrounds with a pop of colour: I am here!

Danny and Indigo

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To me, these images show a kind of combat between the structured, original building and the organic wasteland that seems to be creeping in.

The remains stand tall yet crumbling; weeds, light and water invade the space as if on the threshold of an inevitable ‘giving in’ to the to the natural elements.

A space for production purposes has become home to tiny bugs and wild plants, a haven for unplanned and un-methodical happenings.

Indigo and Danny

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Ironic

Though the objective of my intervention was to encourage a dialogue between strangers in train carriages, what I generally want to do on my daily commute is not to talk to people at all but to be left in my mental solitude. I want to be left alone to do my assignment or read a book or watch Chewing Gum or day dream about things I could possibly make and sell. Ironic.

-Maria, Steph, Chloe

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The Shot Tower. The most Instagrammed building in Melbourne. It has a miserable behind story of the reason why it has been preserved in the middle of modern style building.

The Tower used to produce metal leads and shots supplying to whole city's industrial resources. Unfortunately, after World War II, the most resources were replaced by cheaper, cleaner and more reliable competitor which is plastic. The tower consequently shut in 1961.

The Melbourne Council committed a development from 1973, and the area surrounding the Tower has been frozen. It became a station building at the end. The Shot Tower which is contrasting its style with the heart of the Melbourne's complex is showing how technologies influence in the human life until now.

Vincent & Nicholas

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Thursday night, after a heavy work in a workshop, hair was dusty, hands were stained, and footsteps were dragging on the floor. Still, on the way to buy some materials to use tomorrow, I passed the big plaza where few people remained at the late time. From the far overhead, shining lights caught my eyes, and I slowly approached to them. Neon lights the beautiful linear wires were brightening the dark square. It reminded me unfrequented streets only neon signs are flickering. It is a lonely but attractive mood.

VIncent & Nicholas

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The Life and Places

Birds chirping, music blaring, engine sounds in the distance along with inaudible conversations all around me. Surprisingly, there are more crowd in the area compared to the usual days. A lone market in the distance, situated far from populated areas, the atmosphere felt truly different. Walking past the stands and stalls, bright energy and happy faces emitting here and there. I was confused in the moment, what was going on? It was a complete opposite feeling of what I always felt whenever I went to the market. I did not realize a festival could bring such a number of people together. I thought perhaps this could change how we feel about life and places, why not host festivals in places thought to be “lifeless”. Could it be that festivals are all we need to bring ‘life’ to everyone?

Louis & Ian

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Amongst the rubble and tags, the crumbling walls of this abandoned building showcase works of art appreciated by the few who dare to explore. Framed by the doorway of a darkened factory room, natural light falls through the long lost ceiling to illuminate the secret gallery. But natural light is everywhere, reflecting and refracting colours that are beautiful and sacred if only someone were to notice it. Just like this work of art, hidden in the ruins but when spotted, is overlooked.

Tamarin & Chris

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The Lone Pair

An enchanting mix of nature and architecture, contrasting yet complementing each other in the beauty of this photo. The pair of tree standing firm in the midst of surrounding buildings. 

As the sun sets, the bright light seperates the building and the pair further visually, creating a distinguishable disconnection.

However, internally, the similarity are uncanny, the trees are deeply rooted and branch out on different levels where they stand tall; the building too is deeply structured where yield many levels.

Contrast is a state of being different, though similarity could always be found from within.

Nicholas & Vincent

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One sunny afternoon, me and my friends decided to have a getaway to Mornington Peninsula, specifically to the blowhole spot. We walked through the boardwalk when we saw this hill that faces the ocean. Tempted, our wild side told us to trespass the fence and start the climb. Looking around, we don’t want to caught attention as we pass the fence. Our curiosity guide us to continue climbing through the rubles and the cliff side. But this is not a walk in the park, as slippery and soft ground combined with strong blowing wind stand on our way. With cautions despite the unbalanced footings and fear of the height, we finally conquered the steep cliff. It was that sense of victory as if like we are on top of the world. Once we re up there, it was all worth the danger and effort. Chilling seaside breeze, golden sunset and silvery ocean congratulates us for this journey. Yes it might not be a good idea to do this, but hey, good things will only come when we step out of our comfort zone

Chris and Tamarin

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“As adults, we are losing our sense of playfulness. So pick up a ball of wool - have fun, express yourself and interact with others”

‘Connect Board’ is a participatory design, using playfulness and creativity to address the issues of passive observance and loss of adult playfulness. Through my design, i aim to change the nature of place, whilst encouraging active participation. 

Human geographer Yi-Fu Tuan defines place as, an arena for pausing, engaging and getting involved. We should put our phones away for a while, and be active participators in our world, become more involved and engaged in our surroundings, rather than merely passing through 

I suggest we be open to creative expression, with the use of our hands, rather than our phones. We all have the power to be creative and playful but instead we gravitate toward technology. 

Tayla, Jordan 

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DISSIMILARITY

It is not wrong; it is just long. To become a chip that is called Onion Ring, it has to be a ring. However, among the friends of perfect rounds, a ring was born as a curved stick. Did it taste bad? Not at all. It stopped my constant picking and putting in my mouse motions, then instead, let me smile and think. Maybe the vested rights generation would not welcome the sticks or curves in this society because they cannot hang them on their fingers conveniently. However, without the mutants, they would not stop their unconscious repeating actions that they are consuming the round worthlessly.

Nicholas & Vincent

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Colour Psychology

Colours are all around us, they are a part of our lives. They influence us in many different ways, they affect our moods, feelings and emotions. They change our experience of things, such as food and surroundings.

Warm colours give you the feeling of warmth and comfort, but also of anger and hostility. Cool colours on the other hand, inspire calmness but also sadness and indifference.

A combination of warm and cool colours gives you a balanced life. 

Adriana & Claudia

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Sunday Market

7 am Sunday morning with warm sunlights. But here in next to Camberwell station makes it a little bit warmer Sunday. Every Sunday, people here begins their day with delightful energy. Using the car park area next to the station, people create a little market spot where people can share their goods with a friendly price. Kid's laughter, an old man kindly explaining his belongings to foreign tourist and sounds of the saxophone. It was filled with bright and delightful energy. As I walked around along the market, I was really fascinated how people can utilize space and makes it a better place of usage. This place could be an another boring spot that packed with cars but people transform it into a place with a delight atmosphere and a place that is useful for our neighborhood. Maybe we are locked in the thinking which we have to park the car because the spot named car park area. Maybe sometimes, we have to break that rule to think freely and widely in order to make our city better place to live in.

Ian & Louis

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by Danny and Indigo

Walking along the footpath, I noticed the harsh difference between a man-made concrete and overgrown weeds.  I felt wary of the organic matter, potentially hiding in its depths tiny creatures or objects I would never notice in a separate world of their own. Feeling slightly uneasy in the darkness, I heard a small animal scurry off in fear of my footsteps; and I realised that even though we were separated by our rigid and organic environments, both the creature and I could experience a similar sense of fear of the unknown, separated merely by the edge of the path.

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We entered from the bottom floor, approaching what was a sound only heard through the walls and floors, to a sound that was blasting into our ears. Loud music, people dancing, and an energetic vibe. The space we had entered was the famed Carlton Club on in Melbourne’s CBD. It was what you expected from a bar; tables, chairs, stools, and booths, but as you traveled further into the complex that was several floors high, it opened here and there with spaces to dance. Each floor had its own music, coupled with its own bar and theme. Reaching the top floor, we were met with a tropical theme. Amidst a cold autumn night, I felt as though I was somewhere far away. What really stood out with the entirety of the club, is the way that the music, and the dancing, blended in with the usual bar and food setup. It pushed people who were used to sitting down and sharing drinks quietly, into an environment where they just might get up and interact with others. With a phone camera that was still working hopelessly, I sourced the image from: https://venuemob.com.au/venues/melbourne/the-carlton Daniel & Jared