The Greenline Studio
Lower Pool Studio
Studio Leader: Ethan Zhang and Sean Song
In partnership with Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU)
Semester Two, 2023
RMIT Landscape architecture is delighted to collaborate with Shanghai Jiaotong University to explore the north bank of the Yarra River Birrarung through an intensive student design-research workshop.
The City of Melbourne’s Greenline Project forms the base for this collaboration - it represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the river’s north bank into a reinvigorated and inspiring public waterfront.
The collaboration was launched with an event at City of Melbourne Town Hall, where the students were warmly welcomed by Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Skye Haldane from the City of Melbourne, for an introduction with Professor Ling Wang from SJTU and Industry leaders from the Greenline Project design consortium.
Alongside the students were Kirsten Bauer, Matthew Mackay and Ethan Zhang from ASPECT Studios, Perry Lethlean and Sean Song from TCL, joined Associate Professor Katrina Simon and Dr Maud Cassaignau from RMIT Landscape Architecture, as well as Lee Parks from Aecom.
In collaboration with ASPECT Studios and T.C.L, who are designing the new master plan for the Greenline Project, this design studio focuses on developing imaginative landscape responses to on-site issues.
Students were asked to use the Greenline Project as a lens for understanding larger processes and to uncover aspects that are rendered invisible by the grand narrative of urban development and competitiveness. During the 4-day workshop, students were working together to explore the untapped potentials of the north bank, unlocking new futures for Melbourne. This collaboration also marks a significant milestone for international academic partnership, as well as the landscape architecture profession.
The critique was joined by Professor Ling Wang from SJTU and leaders from the Industry. Ethan Zhang and Alex Breedon from ASPECT Studios, Sean Song and Lucas Dean from TCL, Lee Parks and Sam Jacob from Aecom and Dr Ha Thai, Prof Katrina Simon and Jock Gilbert from RMIT Landscape Architecture. This studio is led by Ethan Zhang and Sean Song.
