Discover the role of design in rethinking aquatic relationships at Fishermans Bend
Hidden amongst the artificial structures and below the water surface at Fishermans Bend lies a hidden and biodiverse rich environment often overlooked due to human and ecological disturbances observed across the Lower Birrarung.
As Melbourne’s urban landscapes continue to disturb these environments, how do we shift perceptions of these often-degraded environments and leverage ecological novelty as an approach to repair ecological function through site specific responses to biodiversity?
As part of Melbourne Design Week, join designer and researcher Shane Hunt from Haptera Design on a walking tour to discover a series of artificial habitats deployed across Fishermans Bend, with the support of FB IDEAs and Port of Melbourne. Hear how this project is contributing to new ways about how we might design for novel ecologies through generative design approaches to substrate design. Part presentation, part discussion this event invites participants to contribute to the discussion around envisioning how design can facilitate new relationships and ecological function within urban waterways.
Location information: This is an outdoor event. Participants are recommended to wear closed footwear and ensure that they are adequately dressed for weather conditions.
Access information: Please note this event is only partially accessible for participants with mobility needs. The tour will start near the footpath which is wheelchair accessible and there will be a vantage point to see where the habitats are located. We will also have smaller prototypes on display. However, during the tour we will invite participants to move down to the waters edge to see the habitats which is not accessible for participants with mobility needs.
This project and event is proudly supported by FB Ideas, the Port of Melbourne and Haptera Design.
Melbourne Design Week is an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. From 14 – 24 May 2026, the program celebrates design through an annual 11-day program of talks, tours, exhibitions, launches, installations and workshops across Australia’s design capital.
FREE - but registrations essential and places are limited!