As part of Melbourne Design Week 2026, World Landscape Architecture held an exhibition of the shortlisted entries in the Design The World You Want Student Ideas Competition at RMIT University’s Melbourne Campus.
The shortlisted entries included submissions from Australia, USA, China, France, and South Korea.
The opening night featured a panel discussion with Claire Martin (juror), Nelson Gomes (juror), Heike Rahmann (RMIT and local resident), and Matthew Mackay. The panel was moderated by Damian Holmes, Editor of World Landscape Architecture.
Damian Holmes provided background on the site’s history and the current issues facing a site that appears to have become “remnants of remnants”.
The panel discussed the past, present, and future of Harbour Esplanade and Victoria Harbour, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the landscape due to the involvement of numerous stakeholders. Also, discussing the upcoming redevelopment of the adjacent stadium and how that could impact the site. The panel also listed many examples around the world that stakeholders could use to create a greater connection to the water and to serve as a prime location for the city’s ambition for a Swimmable Birrarung (Yarra River).
The jurors (Claire and Nelson) also provided feedback and commentary on the shortlisted entries, noting how many address the site in different ways, offering a diversity of ideas ranging from buildings to soft, natural edges.
The opening night event ended with the announcement of the winner and runner-up, along with final comments from the jurors and the WLA Editor.
The exhibition ran from Friday, 15 May to Monday, 18 May as part of Melbourne Design Week.
WLA would like to thank the following supporters of the ideas competition and event.
Venue Partner: RMIT University
Competition & Event Supported by Arcadia, ASPECT Studios, Hassell and Hansen Partnership.
Images: Copyright of World Landscape Architecture