Design Studio Alpha

First Year Semester 1

Utopian Dreams

The "Utopian Dreams" project, part of the design studio coursework, revolves around designing an urban terrain of micro-infrastructure for a group of people seeking refuge within an imagined dystopian scenario. This ambitious architectural project is located at Lincoln Square in Melbourne, where students are tasked to propose new spatial and social dynamics under unique imagined conditions.
In 2030, amidst a landscape defined by resource scarcity, the government proposed a controversial euthanasia program targeting disabled individuals, with a particular focus on the elderly, naturally deaf-mute individuals, and physically disabled groups. Despite this bleak reality, individuals like Cale found their way to Lincoln Square, drawn by the faint embers of hope for a better life.
At Lincoln Square, they embraced rehabilitation training, empowerment, and mutual support, transforming despair into resilience. Along their journey to rebuild their lives, they discovered the profound value of nature, resources, and the opportunities life still offered. This became a turning point—a moment of renewal and the start of a new chapter. United by shared experiences and strength, they extended their support to others on similar paths to recovery, cultivating a community of resilience and hope.