Hans V.

BONDING CITY





calls for critical design-interrogation of wicked and interrelated urban questions

"Reflectopolis"  - Invisible city model
Invisible city - city of emotions
“Cities are not just physical places, but reflections of human imagination, memory, and desire. Cities take on symbolic meanings beyond their concrete forms.”

Bonding City is a strategic site because of its size, proximity to the city, connectivity to transport, and adjacency to Kew junction – a major activity center.


Currently, VicRoads are in the process to relocating their HQs, which opens new speculative and developmental opportunities on this rare state-owned land, and quite distinctive buildings.


Simultaneously, Victoria’s housing crisis is severe as ever. At the end of 2023, VIC’s government ‘unveiled its housing statement targets to build 80,000 new homes a year over the next decade. It also pledged to unlock “surplus” state land across 45 areas to create 9000 new homes, with a target that 10 per cent of these will be affordable.” (The Age, 25 September 2023).


It is a key question on how this will materialized?


Within the studio’s design process, two existing tower blocks the 60s-70s will play a central role. These will have to be retained and require optimistic reimagination.

The tower blocks have the hidden potential to act as urban generators and vision anchors. Their careful study can instigate new narratives and alternate readabilities of the city as well as shaping new creative avenues for robust urban development, as described in ‘Convertible City’











Initial sketch


















Site surrounding











 

How can architects and urban designer's address a diversified and expanding population?




Bonding City leverages existing building stock to achieve increased density while respecting council guidelines and government housing goals. This innovative approach prioritizes sustainability by strategically retaining existing facades and floors, minimizing construction waste and encouraging resident’s interaction by architectural intervention





















Level 8 - Student housing









An open public staircase from the ground floor with views to the main street encourages interaction and creates a visual and spatial separation between the new and existing buildings

Exterior view