I fell in love with Melbourne all over again today. Thanks Rob Adams @adamsurban_au for your inspiring Incrementalism Masterclass. Well done @urbandesignforum_au on a sell out event. Learnt so much about the many small steps championed by Rob that have made the city we love today.
This week we head off on a project tour to immerse ourselves in regenerative masterplanning and urban design at precinct scale.
This is not about chasing aesthetic references. It is about understanding how regeneration actually works on the ground. Governance, staging, infrastructure, public realm, ecology, culture and long-term stewardship. The systems that enable places to thrive over decades, not just launch well, or look good.
At UrbanFold, we are leaning into the learning and knowledge-building process of regenerative design.
Observing built projects. Asking better questions. Testing assumptions. Translating lessons into real, place-specific outcomes.
Exciting times. Stay tuned.....
#UrbanFold
#RegenerativeDesign #Masterplanning #UrbanDesign
The UrbanFold team was recently in Canberra to kick off a development master plan process at a precinct scale - one founded in regenerative design.
A different way of making ‘city’ - one that starts with Country, not buildings.
It’s a long horizon development masterplan, grounded in a single question:
“what does the land need first? ”
We are hugely excited by the ambition, and the learning journey on this one!
More soon as Country, community and collaboration lead the way.
#regenerativedevelopment #designwithcountry #urbanhealing #cityshaping #urbanfold
Urbanfold was founded on the character of powerfully individual women. Today we’re celebrating two women who don’t just shape cities…. they shape the culture of our industry.
Rebecca Finn, UrbanFold co‑founder and current President of the Urban Design Forum, continues to show what bold, people‑first leadership looks like. Her work reminds everyone that great urban design can be fearless and friendly, and that advocacy is most powerful when it’s inclusive, optimistic and relentlessly based in great places for people. Carley Wright, UrbanFold Associate Director and proud UDF Committee member, brings that unique energy ‘into the fold’ . Carley has this rare ability to make complex urban challenges feel solvable, even exciting, and her design voice brings #urbanobservations to the forefront of place based design with our collaborators and allied design professionals - helping elevate what good design leadership looks like for the next generation.
Together, they’ve helped make thoughtful, strategic, no‑nonsense design advice cool again. And judging by the respect they’re shown across the industry- from clients to collaborators to the broader design and property community- it’s clear their impact reaches far beyond our studio walls.
We’ve spoken in past IWD posts about how UrbanFold was built on collaboration, curiosity and a commitment to elevating urban life. And these two continue to prove that when women lead, the whole industry lifts.
Here’s to Rebecca and Carley - leaders, advocates, designers, role models and the heartbeat of what makes UrbanFold UrbanFold.
UrbanFold is growing! We are seeking a graduate urban designer (with 0-2 years experience) on a 4-5 day a week basis.
We have a diverse range of urban design and masterplanning projects for developers, local government and state government across metro Melbourne, the growth areas and regional Victoria.
We run a design-driven, flexible studio that emphasises professional curiosity and enthusiasm.
Applicants should have a degree or masters degree in architecture, landscape architecture or urban design, and a desire to jump into urban design practice.
You must also have excellent capabilities in Rhino, CAD, Adobe Creative Suite (or Affinity) and Enscape.
If this sounds like you, drop us a line at [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Victorian State Government has recently released train and tram zone maps for 25 Activity Centres across Melbourne. These maps define Activity Centre cores, walkable catchments and proposed building heights—marking a significant step in the evolution of urban development across our city.
But great places aren’t created by policy alone! Planning frameworks are essential, but they are only part of the story.
At UrbanFold, we have been working with Councils across Melbourne to understand what this means for the look and feel of future development in our centres. Our focus is on moving beyond the metrics to help shape and strengthen neighbourhoods where people want to live, work, and play.
If you’re grappling with how not to lose the place amidst the policy, come chat with us at #UrbanFold. It’s time to put the place into policy!
#placebaseddesign #urbandesign #activitycentres #melbourne #victoria #localgovernment
Over the next 20 years, San Remo is projected to grow significantly - and for it to continue to be a vibrant place to live and visit, Bass Coast Shire Council has developed the Draft San Remo Structure Plan to guide its future growth and development to 2041.
Our collaboration with Bass Coast Shire Council on the San Remo Urban Design Framework informs a strong community vision for the future of San Remo. The UDF and associated Structure Plan is currently on public consultation.
https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/sanremoplan
#basscoast #urbandesign #placeresponsivedesign #regionalvictoria #sanremo #placebasedurbandesign #urbandesignaustralia
Kelly House is a place-based urban design masterplan for the former home of Ned Kelly.
We loved the design brief seeking to balance adaptability, purpose and community needs in an emerging neighborhood.
For us the big opportunity lay to elevate the design of a new community park and public realm, defining the broader site and landscape.
@matter_visuals
#urbandesign
#placebaseddesign
Work has been progressing on the Gungahlin Homestead Masterplan in Canberra. Located on Ngunnawal Country, its a truly unique site, steeped in layers of history.
Operated as a CSIRO wildlife and ecological research
facility over the past 60 years, renewal of the site presents the opportunity to regenerate the landscape, adaptively re-use of Gungahlin Homestead as a community hub and provide housing to met the shortfall of retirement living options in Canberra.
This next chapter will deliver a restorative design will create a new, different kind of community, fully integrated and respectful of its very special context.
#urbanfold #placebaseddesign #designforCountry #masterplanning
Enjoying the sunshine & city sounds over lunch in the Market Street Park.
Great to see how popular it’s become @oculusstudios & @cityofmelbourne
#lunchtime #greenspace #CBD
Have you heard about ‘Street Cred’? It’s a new series that explores the vibrant life and hidden stories of streets. Think Grand Designs for our neighbourhoods!
We loved watching the premier on the big screen at Cinema Nova and attending the after party! Big congratulations to @villawoodcommunities on bringing this fantastic concept to life. And a shout out to the industry stars who shared their insights; Barry Murphy, Rory Costello, Michelle Calleja, Jacqui Felgate, Brendon Condon and our very own Orlando Harrison! We all know how passionate Orlando is about contributing to the social life of our streets and how much he loves a chat about the importance of front gardens!
Check out the episode one here: https://youtu.be/bgw43AUYT7Q?si=GEWDpbYh5PA7qrPZ.
#StreetCred #urbandesign #streetsforpeople #urbanfold
