About Vacant Geelong

The Architecture Vacancy Lab evolved from a core series of projects within the Vacant Geelong Lab.  #VacantGeelong is a creative exploration of Geelong’s industrial identity with a focus on the industrial landscape of vacated and vacant sites and facilities. #VacantGeelong connects architecture with art and industry to go beyond the usual pragmatic utilisation of ex-industrial sites through the engagement of the cultural and social memories of the vibrant communities these vacant sites once embodied. In collaboration with a cross-faculty research team, led by Mirjana Lozanovska, Vacant Geelong has pioneered design and creative led research in the School of Architecture and Built Environment. A core series of projects in Vacant Geelong have secured external funding, established and strengthened industry partnerships, and delivered projects with creative and significant community engagement and impact. Many of the projects in Architecture Vacancy Lab have a ‘local research-global reach’ aim.

The invitation to the recent #VacantGeelong Open Studio Open Day was ‘come one, come all’ to participate in artists talks, collaborative workshops, walks, and conversations about Geelong’s future.

The artists involved in the project are Bindi Cole Chocka, Sarah Duyshart, Alex Hamilton, Merinda Kelly, Robert Mihajlovski and Amanda Shone.

Through the work of several artists (Sarah Duyshart, Robert Mihajlovski, Bindi Cole Chocka, Merinda Kelly, Amanda Shone and Alex Hamilton) and a team of Architecture- and Creative Arts-based Deakin University researchers and students, Iconic Industry powerfully evokes the sounds, views, atmosphere and memories of Geelong’s industrial legacy.

The book of the #Vacant Geelong team’s Iconic Industry exhibition has now been published!

Iconic Industry: Exploring the Industrial Built Fabric of Geelong catalogues the exhibition that was recently on show for six weeks at the National Wool Museum in Geelong. Written by Mirjana Lozanovska, David Beynon, Cameron Bishop, Diego Fullaondo and Anne Scott Wilson.

The #VacantGeelong research project on Geelong’s vacant industrial space has moved into its next stage.

Deakin University’s #VacantGeelong project  presented a symposium this week at the National Wool Museum to discuss the historical impact of Geelong’s industrial spaces and potential for their future, as explored through a number of new artworks and Master of Architecture student thesis projects.

In the period between 2015 and 2017, the #Vacant Geelong project has developed a large body of original artistic works that respond directly to vacant industrial spaces and the memories that have shaped what it has meant to live in Geelong.

#Vacant Geelong’s intent has been to frame this period as a pause and interval and thereby provide an original and alternative approach to the de-industrial processes of Geelong and many towns, sites and cities undergoing similar major changes.

The #VacantGeelong research project on Geelong’s vacant industrial space has moved into its next stage.

Deakin University’s #VacantGeelong project  presented a symposium this week at the National Wool Museum to discuss the historical impact of Geelong’s industrial spaces and potential for their future, as explored through a number of new artworks and Master of Architecture student thesis projects.