Bite-sized research, big impact.

RMIT PlaceLab is informed by community collaboration, knowledge, and expertise.

Our projects are hyper-local and site-specific, seeking answers to the vital urban challenges of Brunswick and Melbourne. RMIT PlaceLab aims to create real-world, place-based solutions for liveability, resilience, and inclusivity that can be delivered by local government and place-making partners.

Bite-sized research, big impact.

RMIT PlaceLab is informed by community collaboration, knowledge, and expertise.

Our projects are hyper-local and site-specific, seeking answers to the vital urban challenges of Brunswick and Melbourne. RMIT PlaceLab aims to create real-world, place-based solutions for liveability, resilience, and inclusivity that can be delivered by local government and place-making partners.

Active Projects

Melbourne 4
CYCLE 02 2023

Flatpack : Repacked

Flatpack : Repacked
An investigation into how residents of the City of Melbourne furnish their homes, the opportunities to minimise waste and the potential to rethink furniture lifecycles.
Melbourne 3
CYCLE 02 2023

Cardigan Commons

Cardigan Commons
We’re exploring Cardigan Street’s potential to transform into a more inclusive, collaborative and wild ‘greenscape’ with a focus on community perspectives and aspirations.
Brunswick 4
CYCLE 02 2023

Voice, Vibe & Vision

Voice, Vibe & Vision
A close up of a brick wall.
We’re out to collect, consolidate and cultivate a shared understanding of what gives Brunswick its unique character amid transformative infrastructure change across the Brunswick Design District.
Brunswick 3
CYCLE 02 2023

Wear & Care

Wear & Care
Redesigned second-hand garments.
Person holding piece of thread.
An exploration into methods of fashion “rewilding” in Brunswick. Gathering locals, retailers, and researchers to learn about and encourage practices that mend, repair and share clothing to build a local response towards a new fashion system.

Previous Projects

Brunswick 1
CYCLE 01 2022

Living Together

Living Together
An Orange file with the title 'Living Together'
An architect's drawing of an angular white building against the blue sky.
A father and young daughter in the front yard, viewed through a window. Filming at Davison Collaborative, Brunswick.
A photo of a living room corner showing bookshelf and timber ceiling.
Two women walking along a red brick walkway.
An overhead photo of a communal dinner.
A 3D architectural model of a townhouse.
An investigation into socially sustainable housing in Brunswick. Housing affordability and sustainability is examined with architects, developers, and residents through sharing their experiences.
Brunswick 2
CYCLE 01 2022

Creatives, Communities & Economies

Creatives, Communities & Economies
Hayden Stuart, gallery owner and Emma Nixon, Haydens gallery assistant
Blurry photo of a bird at the merri creek. Blurry photo of a bird at the merri creek.
Pots of clay paint and painted bark.
A pictogram covering key topics of discussion during the workshop
Two indigenous peoples wearing t-shirts with honouring country slogans.
A woman stares at the camera with her hands in her pockets.
A sign on a grass lawn says public reading as resistance #1.
A close-up photo of a camera lens that turns what you're looking at upside down. A photo of a studio with a dog.
An artist and group of people are looking at a map.
An exploration of how creative practitioners are responding to the ongoing challenges facing the arts through hybrid and digital approaches.
Melbourne 1
CYCLE 01 2022

Voices From The Margins

Voices From The Margins
A Green file with the title 'Voices From the Margins'
Students walking towards the camera, most wearing protective face masks.
A group of 4 people sit around a round table talking.
Two smiling figures stare off camera.
A group plays volleyball.
4 Students playing and smiling
A portrait of a woman smiling
3 people standing at the whiteboard.
A crowd below mingles.
3 figures stand together talking. A person smiles at the camera.
A student and staff member talk over some paperwork during international student week.
Students sitting in an auditorium.
A collaboration between RMIT researchers and international students to understand how Melbourne can be a more welcoming and inclusive city.
Melbourne 2
CYCLE 01 2022

In The Mood

In The Mood
A Purple file with the title 'In the Mood'
Coloured card arranged as a rainbow.
Moodboard
Moodboard using slices of paper overlayed in pink, red and grey.
Portrait of a smiling man.
Hands moving over yellow, red and black materials.
A conversation that brings communities together to assemble sensory moodboards that capture the feeling of their city to inspire future planning.