Professor Martyn Hook spoke to us in class. The points I found most interesting were about the development of space in cities, particularly in regards to Melbourne. My notes from the talk are below:

• Genius loci – sense of place
• Space vs Place
• Space: has its own characteristics, the space also causes people to behave in a particular way. Eg a classroom is professional, quiet etc. has dimension, material, and intent
• These things are determined by ‘programming.’ To make a space into a place, it should be programmed. Place isn’t inherent to the space. Activities within the space, is what we understand as things that are inherent as the place. Place happens when the inhabitation and the program responds to the place. The activation of a space makes it a place.
• All that you can do in a space is determined by the space itself.
• Architecture is difficult to alter, technology isn’t as expensive and time consuming.

• Legibility- semiotics
• How do we communicate these things to people? Eg, you put a park bench there and someone can sit on it. But how do you communicate for people not to sleep on it.
• Look at the buildings as a part of the city, not as a part of the campus or of rmit.

• The city- 1:1000 things that are part of the city, roads, tram network etc. 1:1 things yu can touch, chairs etc
• The city was largely determined as the person who decided where to put the grid cbd saw where the indigenous Australians used the land and had their hub.
• The city is an unfinished project, it is never finished. Cities are designed, towns aren’t. in places where towns and cities merged it is interesting to see the boundaries of how the cities and towns have merged.
• In Australia, ~94% of people live in the cities. ‘city limits’ book about Melbourne and the Australian city
• Civic, civitas, democracy
• 100000 people in fed square Iraq war protest. Melbourne is the only Melbourne city that has that public space where people can gather in such an effective way.
• Laneway culture- myers place, began 1994. Began by loosening up the licenses for liquor service, as well as the requirement for public restrooms in various establishments.
• The rmit campus was mimicking the design and the feel of the city. Opened up, laneways etc. networks. Streets. Made with the same 1:1, miniature Melbourne.
• Once the 1:1000 is established, the network, to create the space, you need to work on 1:1, what is the floor going to be made of, what is the design going to be? Things that you touch become an immediate part of how the city operates, materials, flower boxes, designs etc.
• The behaviour that is inherent to the space of the city is then mimicked in the campus.

• Building 20
• Is a functional space, but is also heritage. It is beautiful to begin with but not entirely functional now.
• The story of building 20 and its history is still being added to. It is still being used.

On Monday 23rd of March we visited Melbourne Museum to get a better idea of Melbourne’s history and to observe how the museum represents place. There is a great effort put into representing place there, with not only drawings and wide birds-eye-view images of the location, but soundscapes to match the various sections. In the area with the carriage related to the gold rush and subsequent years, there were sounds of horses, carriages, people talking and the driver announcing where the transportation was headed; Bendigo. Furthermore, in the house set up, there were voices of people in each of the spaces, making it seem as though the space was being used by its inhabitants, allowing us to get a better idea of what it was like living in such a space. On top of that, the houses were fully furnished houses. I was able to walk around the house freely and immerse myself in the space. I spent a fair amount of time in there absorbing the atmosphere and aesthetic. It really felt real, and the recordings of voices further transported me to that place. The museum also explored Melbourne as a place today, and what is important and uniquely Melbourne culture, by having sections for football, music, fashion, brands, etc.

The Museum uses a mixture of text, photos, drawings, sound, artifacts, spaces, information tablets, cinemas, maps and interactive elements such as photo albums, radios and newspapers to represent Melbourne. It is also set up in a way that each section flows based on the era being explored. These eras are clearly explored in each section with a wall plate explaining the era, and why its was significant. These text plates present the information in an unbiased, unemotional manner, not excluding uncomfortable details or facts. Stories about the war, the depression and the stolen generations are given clear explanation. It explores stories about settlement, the gold rush, the economic boom, the introduction of electricity, modern Melbourne, as well as exploring some more personal stories such as Coles’ book shop. There is, however, no representation of indigenous history unrelated to white settlement and culture. The stolen generations and the indigenous people during the time of settlement is mentioned but not explored in the Melbourne section. There is a whole exhibition downstairs, however, which is dedicated to indigenous history and achievements. The space was completely different in its design from the Melbourne section. There are more organic materials and shapes in the area, with a wall being made up of wood and sticks. The area also feels more open, despite being darker lit than the Melbourne section, which gives it a sense of earlier, human based history rather than modern industrial history. The stories are also told from the perspective of an indigenous person, describing artifacts and history as ‘we’ rather than ‘they.’

On the 20th of March we visited the public records office. I was able to get the full tour because I got there on time, but from what everyone saw I think we all have a good idea of what can be found at the PRO. They had a huge selection of photos on microfilm and we got to have a look at some of them from RMIT. There were sketches of the campus and buildings from all decades. This could be useful for our project outcomes as I hope to do something largely visual (Building 20 seems more visual than audible as well.) There were also records from the court cases held at the magistrates court and the supreme court, though we are unable to have access to those less than 75 years old. This didn’t bother me in regards to our project as I was most interested in the early history anyway.

I should go back and have a look through some of these images and cases to brainstorm for my pitch, as I am still unsure of what direction I want to go in. While I was there at the PRO I had an idea for a more experimental documentary, and perhaps an art piece, but I need to refine my ideas more and have a proper brainstorm instead of allowing these ideas and images to swim around in my head. To get a better idea of what I want to produce visually, I should go back to the PRO.

In class we spent some time around our chosen buildings recording various sounds. In building 20, however, you could hear a pin drop.  It was very quiet and empty, so there wasn’t a lot of range of sounds. I mostly recorded footsteps clacking on the stairs, people typing in their offices, and the distant sounds of cars coming through the doors.

I guess the main point about the sound in this space is that it’s barely there. There is nothing that is unique to that space, but the silence occasionally broken by some computer keys or a distant sounding tram, accurately reflects the building. It is still, and silent.

For assignment 2, my group is looking into ‘wayfinding,’ which is the method of directing people and helping them find their way to a destination. My initial ideas about wayfinding is that it is not just about signs, because the signage around RMIT, for example is great. But there are still areas of RMIT which are difficult to navigate. Some ideas that came up in research were more contemporary, such as the use of lights and projections to direct people and define spaces, which I think would be useful in areas like building 8, 10 and 12, which are all joined together. It can be difficult to know exactly which building you are in.

I like the idea of interactive directories also. Directories that change depending on what is happening that day. Different events are outlined etc. Also it could have a system that tells you which classes and lectures are happening at the time and where.

Malpas talks about the importance of place to people. Noting not only that a place is a reflection of the people who are there, but the place is a part of those people as well. There is a connection between people and place. There is a beautiful example of in Aboriginal traditions, the child is a product of place, and the mother is simply the carrier for the child. Hence why indigenous communities have such strong roots to place in their culture, and why removal from the place is traumatising.

I was really taken by the idea that external and internal space are connected. That ones inner space and mind is reflected in how they construct their space, and the space and place one is in is brought into their psyche. This suggests a strong correlation between place and identity. And to discover your identity, you must look at the places you are in/ have been, and study the space you surround yourself with. Davidson argues that the mind  cannot exist without space, as the mind is ‘constituted through it’s interaction and involvement with the objects and events that surround it.

In this way, place is inherently connected to philosophy, if not, the center of it.

I visited Building 20, the former Magistrates Court, in the morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon/ evening. Initially I struggled to find the entrance, as most of the doors were no longer in use. For this reason, the building was very quiet. Although there were old doors littered around the building, nobody was using them, thus, most of the halls and old entrance ways were peaceful. Immediately I felt a sense of stillness. Because of this, the building was a comfortable space. A space one would feel at ease wandering around in their own time, taking it in slowly, as I did. There were a few people working inside, but nothing felt rushed. The commotion just outside for the university’s club sign up day was not at all audible. The thick stone walls no doubt insulating the space from the noise.

Some areas, such as the old courtrooms and the old entrance on the corner of Russell and Latrobe street were awe inspiring. The architecture was stylised and ornate, seemingly unchanged from when the court was first built one hundred years ago. I felt a sense of wonderment and grandeur.

Some areas, however, were uncomfortable. I didn’t see any other students in the building, but I did find a number of staff working in their offices with their doors open. The quietness of the space made me uncomfortable here, as I felt as though I wasn’t supposed to be there; that perhaps I was disturbing some important work being done. The building feels grand and important, and as I encountered people I kept thinking they were going to ask me to leave, I felt like an imposing tourist. Many people did ask me whether I was lost, so in that sense, the building was a little uncomfortable because it is so closed off to the public, in both design and use.

During the evening the space wasn’t creepy or scary, but it felt distinctly different than it did during the day. The whole building has large windows in all of the rooms, so in the early afternoon the area was bathed in light and warmth. Once it was later in the day, many people had gone home and the sky was darker, but the character of the building was still inviting. The stillness of the atmosphere was accentuated at this time, and the space felt much lonelier.

The most interesting parts of the building were the remnants of its history. The exterior was intriguing for this reason because it seemed largely unchanged and unrenovated since the building was opened. The architecture was certainly not modern, and along the driveway beside the building, there were large cracks and rusted over metal features. This is what made the area charming. It was overtly aged, but not decrepit. There was a sense of history, but the architecture was still beautiful and impressive.

Some areas inside were also captivating, such as the extraordinary dome in the old entrance way. These features were echoed throughout the entire building, with unique plaster trims decorating around the archways of the doors. This entrance area was full of stylised buttresses and archways. The plaster also contrasted with the wooden ceilings, which were also found in the courtrooms. These architectural features are rarely seen today in modern buildings, so it was fascinating to see them on such a grand scale.

Another interesting part of the space was in the courtroom. Large paintings of important figures were positioned around the room. I would be interested to explore these specific people more, as this is another insight into the spaces use in history.

It was immediately obvious the elements of technology that had been introduced in the building over time. The bright green exit signs above almost every doorway contrasted heavily with the classic features of the architecture. As I was exploring the courtroom, a staff member was setting up a projector screen with a slideshow on the wall. The projection seemed out of place on the old wall, and I found it interesting to see how the space was being used today. As well as being a heritage site, these old rooms are still being used and new elements are being brought into the space to suit the needs of its new users.

The space has a long, important history as a part of Melbourne. Initially being the location of the supreme court, and then afterwards, the magistrates court was built and opened in the space in 1914. Since then, the building has been made a part of RMIT and the judicial precinct that surrounded it has dispersed.

More about the area’s history:

Dalton, Simon. The Old Melbourne City Watch House: Fast-forward to the Past [online]. Agora, Vol. 43, No. 4, 2008: 60-62. <http://search.informit.com.au.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/documentSummary;dn=490096764027465;res=IELAPA>  ISSN: 0044-6726.

Reynolds, Sue. The old Supreme Court of Victoria buildings: everything old is new again. [online]. Victorian Historical Journal, Vol. 81, No. 2, Nov 2010: 233-249. <http://search.informit.com.au.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/documentSummary;dn=201211775;res=IELAPA> ISSN: 1030-7710.

(For images, refer to Google Doc for copyright reasons: https://drive.google.com/a/rmit.edu.au/folderview?id=0ByoK-Gqhdx9EMHRQSUh2Vm9fVE0&usp=sharing)

“Opening of the City Court, Melbourne, on 20th January, 1914.”

<http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=MAIN&reset_config=true&docId=SLV_VOYAGER2504554>

“[Melbourne Magistrates Court and Russell Street Police Headquarters from La Trobe Street] [picture”

<http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=MAIN&reset_config=true&docId=SLV_VOYAGER1785115>

“Old Supreme Court c/r of La Trobe and Russell Sts. built in 1842 on the present site of the City Court, Melbourne[picture] ”

<http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=MAIN&reset_config=true&docId=SLV_VOYAGER1801839>

Since walking around building 20, I’ve started trying to generate ideas of what could be created. One idea is quite complex, but its a virtual tour of the building/ area, on an app, that teaches you the history of the building while you are there. As you walk through the spaces, you can see the spaces on the app as well, but as they were 100 years ago in the magistrates court. Full of important people and criminals, with information available on each. There would also be information about the architecture available as you go through the app/ space. Of course this app could probably be explored from the comfort of your own home, but to go on a virtual tour while you are really there would be a fun experience. Like having a tour guide app but you can select the people and areas you want to learn about.

It is a complex idea, and probably not doable, but its just something to put in the think tank. The idea got me more excited and interested in the possibilities of what could be created, so I think it is worth noting down. Perhaps as a jumping off point.

The Cresswell reading, ‘Defining Place,’ explored space and how people use it. Cresswell talks about how we can define space, and I thought the example about ownership of space was interesting. A place may seem to belong to a person because they have their belongings there, so to make the space yours, you replace it with your belongings. I began thinking about how spaces change through renovation or refurbishing, such as the renovated historical buildings i encountered on Thursday. The building and place are the same, but the space is defined completely differently based on how it is used.

Cresswell writes that mere spaces have been made into ‘places’ because people have made them meaningful. A place is defined by people, and users. And this definition can change over time depending on the needs and behaviors of its users.

On the 6th of March we took a trip across Latrobe street to the State Library of Victoria. I was already somewhat familiar with it, as I enjoy going there for the study space, but I rarely take advantage of the resources that are there. Despite having had a library card since 2012, I had never once used the database.

It was good to learn what is available at the library and how to access it, because it is probably the richest source of Victoria specific information you can find. I already had a look through the database for information on building 20, and found a range of images from the site over time, dating back 150 years. Strangely enough though, I found it difficult to find written sources on how the site was originally used. Perhaps I would need to go there in person to really get a good idea on what they have on the topic, but I spent 2 hours going through the database searching and didn’t turn up anything promising. Conversely, I spent 5 minutes on the RMIT library database and found two really great sources that are very specific to what I needed. Perhaps I am just more accustomed to that database and I know how to use it. But in the future, I would like to use the state library resources more to enhance my research.