Melbourne Museum is reimagining a small stretch of its eastern boundary. A $3,000 concept design competition, open now to Swinburne Architecture, Interior Architecture and Industrial Design students. Concept stage only - no construction documentation required.
Not a generic café box. A small architectural intervention - around the scale of a shipping container - set within a gated section of the museum's existing perimeter fence. Fence → kiosk → fence. The existing fence itself isn't part of the brief, just the kiosk that sits inside it. Concept design only: a strong idea, clearly presented, is worth more than resolved documentation.
A service window facing outward to passers-by and park visitors - a new destination on the path through the gardens.
A second window facing the Andrew & Geraldine Buxton Family Playspace - still unveiled - serving visitors from inside the museum grounds.
This is a concept competition. There's a real chance the winning idea moves toward a built kiosk later - but that's a separate, later stage with its own detailed brief. For now, we want ideas, not documentation.
The kiosk sits within a gated section of the museum's existing perimeter fence - integrated into the boundary line, not sitting behind it. The fence itself isn't part of the brief. Positioned on the path connecting Carlton Gardens and the Andrew & Geraldine Buxton Family Playspace, it serves both sides at once.
Brief and entry details go live. Launching Semester 2, 2026.
Individual and team submissions accepted from eligible Swinburne students.
The early registration window has now closed. Entrants can still submit designs once the submission link goes live.
A relaxed feedback session with Swinburne Architecture and Design staff and Museums Victoria representatives - bring your sketches, models or work-in-progress. It's also a chance for us to confirm the work is genuinely yours.
11:59pm Friday 20 November 2026.
A multidisciplinary panel reviews every submission against the brief.
The winning concept may inform a future kiosk at Melbourne Museum.
Our judging panel is being finalised, drawing on architecture, design and museum expertise. Full lineup - including photos - to be announced here soon.
Open to current Swinburne Architecture, Interior Architecture and Industrial Design students. Registrations closed 27 September 2026 - the submission link goes live 2 November 2026. Entry is subject to the competition Terms & Conditions.