Design competition invites students to reimagine a Robin Boyd project

The forthcoming Walls Around Us Student Competition builds on the success of the inaugural competition held in 2022/23. The first competition saw James Urlini, a Melbourne School of Design student, win with an entry titled House in a Grassy Plain. The winning scheme was lauded by the jury for its “understanding of the Walsh Street site – its limits and opportunities,” said jury chair Philip Goad.

This year, entrants are required to conceptualise a design that engages with themes of circularity and reuse. According to the competition brief, this could include “adaptive reuse, retrofit, kit-of-parts analysis and reassembly or designing for disassembly.” In keeping with the theme, participants are prompted to think critically about material usage and explore ways to reduce material quantities, and improve the longevity of structures and materials on site.

When developing a concept, students should engage with Boyd – his ideas, interests and approaches to design – for inspiration.

The brief for the competition states, “We ask you to consider this: If Robin Boyd were present today, how would he challenge architects to rethink the way we design and specify buildings? How would he urge us to align with the values of the circular economy – creating systems that not only reduce material consumption but also ensure their ongoing life?”