Swinburne Student Precinct Creators Lane
The design brief was to transform three under-utilised urban spaces on Swinburne’s Hawthorn Campus to make them feel safe and welcoming to students, encourage visitors, and improve student well-being with the choice of activities.
The main design challenge was the degraded nature of the site, with graffiti on bins and doorways, rubbish everywhere, and overgrown vegetation. There was a lack of purpose for the site and nothing to draw students to the space. The area was poorly lit and students felt unsafe using it.
The Creators Lane design concept makes these urban spaces feel safer and more inviting, by improving existing conditions and celebrating the creativity of Swinburne students through handicrafts, music, art and design.
Site 1: Makers Market
Students can sell their handmade candles, art prints, crochet, pottery and much more. It also invites the community in to celebrate our students’ creativity.
Site 2: Artists Spot
This open-air art gallery showcases the best of Swinburne students’ artistic creativity. A glass-covered walkway and enclosed display boxes protect physical artwork, and digital artboards showcase short films, photography and animation.
Site 3: Music Note
An entertainment precinct with an amphitheatre and stage for Swinburne students to perform live music. The space is big enough for university-wide events or for student buskers to capture audience attention in between classes.
Project Details:
I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Creators Lane is placed, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and pay respect to Elders past and present.
Created for: Swinburne University of Technology
Subject: 2021 Interior Architecture Studio 3: Design Exploration
Software: Rhino3D, Enscape, Adobe Suite
Grade: High Distinction
Designed by Darshana Thapa
Artwork in frames sourced from Pinterest