ARCH10004 Design History & Theory in the Making SM 1 2022

Assessment 2: Knowledge Institutions and Places

Name: Kayla Bryant
Student Number: 1305127

Knowledge Place: Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, Melbourne

Artwork: OoPLA (Tania Davidge and Christine Philips), ‘Urban Tactility’, Immigration Museum,
2019

1. Describe and analyse the original building/site and the original function of the knowledge
place. You should describe and discuss:

Historically, where the Immigration Museum now stands, was the Old Customs house. What started as a tent
when colonists first settled in Melbourne, was then developed into a “weatherboard cabin” in the 1930s.1 The
site was cleverly positioned along the Yarra River in order to capitalise on the busy port nearby 2. Due to the
influx of trade, a bluestone building was erected in 18413 as seen in Figure 1. Following the increase in revenue
from the customs house as the gold rush attracted many immigrants, Scottish architect Peter Kerr contributed in
the designing of the present Customs House4, built in stages by John Knight and Thomas Kemp from the 1840s
to the late 1850s. Following this, the site went through several iterations in the years to follow. 5 Kerr’s influence
on the design is evident through the aesthetics of tiled floors (Figure 2), moulded ceilings (Figure 3), and timed
details; All of which were ensured to be restored when the building was eventually opened as the Immigration
Museum in 19986.

Initially, in the Customs House, officers recorded all goods coming in and out of the colony and controlled the
immigration of people, due to customs revenue, the site acted as the main source of government income 7. It
continued to run as a customs house until 1965 when the site was used for offices of the Commonwealth
Parliament. To finally be reopened after restorations were completed as the Immigration Museum. (337 words)

• the audience for whom this knowledge place was intended

• and if your
place housed a
collection,
discuss the
original
purpose of the
Figure 2: Tiled floors in the Figure 3: Moulded ceilings in the
collection.
interior of the museum Long Room (Write 250-270
Figure 1: Illustration of Customs House, words)
Melbourne, 1853 by Stringer, Mason &
Co.

1
Museums Victoria. Customs House. (Victorian Government through Creative Victoria). Last
modified 2022.
https://museumsvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/resources/customs-house/.
2
Department of Works. Melbourne old Customs House : historical background and conversion proposals as
outlined by the Dept. of Works Melbourne: Dept. of Works, 1966. 19 April 2022. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-
2756290678, 8
3
Museums Victoria, Customs House
4
Heritage Council Victoria. "Former Customs House." Victorian Heritage Database,
vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4689. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.
5
Peter Christiansen. "Customs House." EMelbourne - The Encyclopedia of Melbourne Online, School
of
Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne, July 2008,
www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00432b.htm.
6
Museums Victoria, About Us
7
Peter Christiansen, The Encyclopedia of Melbourne
 2. Describe and analyse how, in the 21st Century, the knowledge place has revised its original purpose
and identity.
Museums and galleries, for example, worked to address their colonial foundations, abandon colonial
collecting practices and colonial knowledge frameworks and consider issues of repatriation or
reparations. The Immigration has brought renewed attention to collections that present migration
histories and the diverse stories of this continent. Changes in purpose and identity are announced in various
ways: through a new building or the addition of new spaces to an existing place, the inclusion of new tenant
groups, a key exhibition that announces a new, important departure for the institution, the inclusion of a new
artwork or statue, new policies around access or the return of collected material to communities, or the
incorporation of new kinds of activities not imagined in the original vision of the institution. Often, the
institution’s original purpose, its audiences, collection practices, access, and identity have changed.

You will not be able to address every facet of change in the word limit so be selective. Consider using a
key moment in the history of the knowledge place to focus on this changed purpose and identity, such
as:
• a new or renovated building or new landscape work,
• a landmark exhibition
• the announcement of a new policy
• a community campaign, occupation, or protest and the institutional response. (Write 250-270 words)

As aforementioned, Immigration Museum has had a history of building iterations, however, for 90 years it
functioned as the customs house. Although momentarily a used for office space8, in 1998 the Immigration
museum was opened. The museum has revised its purpose from being a customs house to now sharing the
stories of those who entered Australia. And how colonists shaped the Melbourne that is known today. In the
museum, one can see the timeline of immigration to Melbourne from the 1890s to now, highlighting the history
of the journey from overseas and what awaited travellers upon arrival. This exhibition does not overlook details
of the good and bad that occurred throughout history. Most notably is the timeline’s exposure of the segregation
and restrictions on groups of certain nationalities and races during immigration into Melbourne from the 1860s
to 1920s (Figures 3 and 4). By not shying away from the unfavourable parts of history, it brings visitors together
to gain knowledge of the indigenous discrimination and prejudice, in order to shed light on the importance of
learning from these past actions.

The Immigration Museum has connections to its original building, however, instead of being a gathering place
of immigrants and goods from elsewhere, it now brings together people from all over to learn about the rich
history of the site. This shift from practical to educational practices allows for the gathering and sharing of
knowledge. Moreover, the museums practice of introducing exhibitions from various artists regarding
immigration or belonging in country emphasises alternative perspectives and experiences. (262 words)

8
Peter Christiansen, The Encyclopedia of Melbourne
Through our rich collections, exhibitions, events, education programs and digital
content, we explore themes of migration, identity, citizenship and community through
multiple perspectives. We engage with communities and creative practitioners to
produce powerful opportunities for social interaction, empathy and debate.

The Immigration Museum opened in 1998 within  Old Customs House. Located on the bank of
Birrarung (Yarra River), this former administrative centre of immigration and trade is a site of great
historical significance and complexity. -https://museumsvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/about-
us/

3. Discuss and analyse how an artwork (or installation or exhibition) presents a different creative response
to the knowledge place.

OoPLA (Tania Davidge and Christine Philips), ‘Urban Tactility’, Immigration Museum, 2019
Source: https://openhousemelbourne.org/urban-tactility/
Opened from the twenty-second of July to the eleventh of August 20199 the ‘Urban Tactility’ installation by
Tania Davidge and Christine Philips was opened to the public. The installation includes tactile indicators along
the ground of the tribute and festivals garden in the Immigration Museum. The installation was intended to be
experienced whilst the individual has impaired vision as seen in Figures 1 and 2, in order to evoke a sensory and
emotional response from visitors.

Through the limiting of one’s senses, they are able to focus more on the others (in this case smell, touch, and
sound). In doing so, visitors are able to consider the ways in which we navigate a city and how that may differ
for those with differing accessibility limitations10. Moreover, allowing those experiencing the installation to
appreciate a place for its sensory features beyond what the eye can see.

Furthermore, the artists create an impetus for discussion regarding accessibility in public places for people with
poor vision or blindness and further those with impediments and how we can think of inclusive design in order
to allow a larger variety of people to experience knowledge places. In this instance, the museum mainly presents
its information diagrammatically and with written signboards. Therefore, applying the artists’ intentions, there is
a need to rethink the way the museum is set up to allow people of all abilities and ailments to enjoy and learn
from it.

• the emotional effects of the work or exhibition

• the use of personal storytelling to present history
• the inclusion of under-represented and excluded voices. (Write 250-270 words)

4. Diagrammatic site plan of the Immigration Museum

• In a corner, insert a diagrammatic city-grid location map indicating the location of your knowledge place
in the city. If it is outside the city, add a note acknowledging this. Consider if your place is part of a larger
knowledge precinct? If so, mark these places and connections.
• Annotate the plan, including information such as the name of the place and its founding date.
• Mark if your knowledge place has an adjoining public plaza or public space.
• Try noting the surrounding streets and the key nodes: the major entries from the street, the key pathways,
and key thresholds.
• Use direction arrows to indicate the major pathways through these places: circulation for buildings, paths
for exterior spaces, and or landscapes.
• Does the site include 19th Century statues or contemporary artworks? Indicate these on the plan.
• Consider the relationship between this place and the street, the surrounding landscape, or the city grid. Is
your place easy to get to by walking or public transport? Is the site locked at night, so only a public space at
certain times?
• If you are using visual codes to annotate your plan include a legend explaining the codes.

(Note: All assignments are submitted through the canvas. We recommend combining both parts, the text
sections, and the drawing into one PDF and submitting it through canvas. If you are having trouble doing
this, you can submit them as separate files.) 5. Please footnote the text of the assignment, acknowledging
the ideas you have researched, and include a Bibliography (Reference List) of the sources you used for your
research at the end of your assignment. We expect that you would consult a minimum of seven resources,
and these will be a mix of books, essays, and websites. It is important for all your University submissions
that you reference your work. This informs the reader where you got your key facts, information, and ideas
from as well as the extent and range of your research. For this subject, we use the Chicago A Footnote
referencing system. This component assesses the quality and quantity of research undertaken.

Table of Figures:
Figure 1 Museums Victoria. Customs House. (Victorian Government through Creative Victoria). Last modified
2022. https://museumsvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/resources/customs-house/.
9
Open House Melbourne. "Urban Tactility Guided Tours." Open House Melbourne, 29 June 2019,
openhousemelbourne.org/event/urban-tactility-guided-tours/.

10
Office of Public Architecture. "Urban Tactility." OoPLA, 7 Sept. 2019, oopla.org/projects/urban-
tactility/.
Figure 2 Visit Melbourne. "Museums." Visit Melbourne,
it.visitmelbourne.com/regions/melbourne/see-and-do/art-and-culture/museums/immigration-museum. Accessed
26 Apr. 2022.

Figure 3 Museums Victoria. "Venue Hire." Immigration Museum, Victorian Government through Creative
Victoria, 2022, museumsvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/visiting/venue-hire/.