How might we design a welcoming and functioning food co-op so that students feel encouraged to access affordable food and interact with the community? RMIT currently lacks easily accessible, and affordable food options, making it difficult for students to find low-cost meals on campus. RMIT Food Co-op are exploring the design of a accessible physical space that integrates into RMIT’s campus environment. This includes considering layout, flow, placement, and atmosphere to encourage casual use, reduce stigma around food insecurity, and support students’ everyday routines.
Visual Communication & Graphic Systems
Participatory Design & Social Spatial Practice
2025
Client RMIT University
Placemaking Ideations
We facilitated a placemaking ideation session to map students’ desires for a campus food co-op, collecting ideas on food options, social spaces, facilities, and self-service features through interactive layout planning. For main findings: Students want affordable healthy meals, social seating, microwaves and self-service options, study-friendly zones, and a visible, comfortable atmosphere.
Archetypes
Archetypes inform spatial planning by aligning diverse behaviours, including social, pragmatic, exploratory, value-driven, generous, or solitary with zones that support gathering, self-service, comfort, discovery, and affordability, shaping an accessible and inviting RMIT food co-op.
A shared pile. A held story. A shifting system. A lived corner.
+61 481 756 123 AUS +852 6310 9922 HK
© 2025