Design Activism

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This elective subject will explore the dynamics and effectiveness of architecture in relation to the politics of protest. It will link together concepts from critical theory, community development, and urban futures with architectural design. To do this the subject will use contemporary case studies to explore the relationship of architectural design to different forms of activism and protest. These case studies will include perspectives from both international and local case studies, and students will be encouraged to develop their own international perspectives. Case studies will include the Occupy movement, Anonymous and other modes of civil disobedience, as well as local case studies including the East-West link and anti Coal Seam Gas protests.

Through this subject students will research how architectural propositions can change the way we protest and the way we respond to protests and protestors. The subject will bring together various ABP academics and practitioners involved in the interfaces between alternative architecture, protest and the contradictions of power in relation to urban infrastructures.

To understand and articulate different theories and histories of political protest in relation to contemporary urbanism.

To articulate the potential of architectural design as a way to propose alternative futures in situations, where power, community interests and civil disobedience engender both potential and actual conflict.

To understand the lifecycle of protests and campaigning including: cultural preparation, organisation building, non-violent confrontation, mass non-cooperation and the development of parallel institutions.

To propose strategies, plans, designs and tactics that incorporate architectural design into contemporary protest movements.

Case study (including class presentation 10% and seminar report 30%). To be done in a group of 3 or 4, 1500-2000 word equivalent per student. Due day 5 of 6 day Intensive) 40%.

Design activism proposition: to include diagrams, drawings and timeline and text (including class presentation 10% and seminar report 40%). To be done in a group of 3 or 4. 2500 word equivalent per student. Due day 6 of 6 day Intensive. 50%

Class Participation Due days 1 to 6. 10%

Timothy Gee, Counterpower. New Internationalist 2011

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

The ability to think strategically at different environmental and urban scales.


The ability to establish and evaluate requirements and priorities in new project situations and contexts.


The ability to work individually and collaboratively to prepare and deliver a design project.


The ability to prepare, structure, schedule, evaluate and deliver a substantial research or design-research project.