Description

What is the role of design in shaping how we engage with iconic landmarks marked by death, tragedy, and the macabre? From notorious sites like Alcatraz and the Tower of London to Melbourne’s own Pentridge Piazza, Carlton’s Underbelly, Old Melbourne Gaol and the city’s spooky laneways. As technology transforms our engagement, these sites attract visitors not only for their historical importance but also through the lens of dark tourism, where the past’s intriguing aspects are brought to life in our popular imagination through true crime stories, ghost tours and celebrity memorials.


Design has the power to both respect and challenge the legacies of these places, offering visitors meaningful connections to the past, in person and digitally. In this thought-provoking session, experts in design and heritage interpretation will explore the role of design in educating and provoking reflection, creating respectful and insightful experiences at sites with haunting histories.


What challenges do designers face when reimagining places tied to unsettling pasts? How do we strike a balance between educational value and the emotional weight of such places and spaces? And what ethical dilemmas arise when reinterpreting those associated with suffering…where should we draw the line?

Hear Natasha Mitchell, host of ABC Radio National's Big Ideas unpack these questions and more with Dr Sue Hodges, Managing Director of SHP and Erwin Taal, Senior Associate at ASPECT Studios.

In Collaboration With:

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  Natasha Mitchell—Host, ABC Radio National's Big Ideas

  Natasha Mitchell is a multi-award-winning journalist, radio presenter, podcaster, and documentary maker. She is host of ABC Radio National's live events show, Big Ideas, was founding host and producer of the blockbuster radio show and one of Australia's first podcasts _All in the Mind for a decade. She hosted the ABC's daily flagship social affairs program Life Matters_, and was founding host and producer of Science Friction, awarded Best Science and Medicine podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards. Natasha served as vice president of the World Federation of Science Journalists and was recipient of an Knight Fellowship at MIT/Harvard. Her science, mental health and human rights journalism has received numerous accolades, including the overall Grand Prize and four Gold World Medals at the New York Radio Festivals. She has facilitated public forums across Australia, including four dialogues with the Dalai Lama and scientists. 

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  Erwin Taal—Senior Associate, ASPECT Studios

  Erwin is a Studio Leader and Senior Associate in ASPECT's Melbourne studio. With a focus on design leadership, sustainability and urban integration. He has a sophisticated and rigorous approach to the critical design processes of public realm development, the architectural interface, contemporary urban design and holistic master planning, where he balances ecological, cultural, historical and sustainable considerations with social and financial imperatives.
  With over 20 years of professional experience in urban, regional and natural environments, Erwin’s project experience ranges from large scale infrastructure planning and urban design guidelines to green infrastructure and living architecture, to small artistic installations within the urban setting, In all projects, place creation and sustainable outcomes being a core tenant of his touch.

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  Dr Sue Hodges—Managing Director, SHP

  Sue has over 35 years of experience in the fields of history and heritage interpretation. Before establishing SHP in 2001, she worked as an historian for a wide variety of public and private sector organisations. As SHP’s Managing Director, she leads the team with a sharp focus and good sense of humour. 
  Sue’s work at SHP encompasses all aspects of heritage projects, from concept planning to interpretation plans, installations, exhibitions, signage, public artwork and heritage trails. She is a creative director at SHP and reviews and signs off all projects. Sue also plays an active role in the professions of history and interpretation nationally and internationally.
  Sue currently advises UNESCO World Heritage in the areas of contested history, people-centred heritage, values-based heritage and Sites of Memory.