The Exchange at Knowledge Market

This publication documents The Exchange, a collaborative ‘urban living lab’ developed by RMIT University and Lendlease, situated within the Victoria Harbour precinct of Docklands over 18 months from mid 2016.

The Exchange was established as a multidisciplinary research project to prototype forms of community engagement, exploring the shared urban environment through the lens of design ethnography, landscape architecture, interior design, interaction design, fashion and textiles and graphic design. Over a year and a half, The Exchange addressed issues of urban development and how the community understands and might use such developments through an ongoing set of design research studios, exhibitions and public events. This model of research has provided a unique opportunity for a broad discussion on the nature of a resilient urban condition, incorporating the perspectives of governments, developers, architects, designers and residents in a robust and timely exchange of ideas. This book is intended for designers, policy-makers, planners, urbanists and academics, as well as project partners Lendlease and others from the construction and building industry.