Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Chris Tucker is a Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Built Environment, program convenor for the Master of Architecture, coordinator of the final year design program and director of the architectural practice Herd. Chris has been awarded regional, state and international prizes for architecture and his buildings and designs have been widely exhibited and published. In 2006 he became the first Australian to win the Central Glass International Architectural Design Competition, the 41st year the prize has been awarded. He has been awarded over $100,000 for his research concerning the social sustainability of residential streetscapes and the analysis of the visual characteristics of buildings using computer and robotic software. He is also a research associate for an ARC grant worth $300,000 awarded in 2007 for visual analysis of buildings.
Qualifications
- Master of Philosophy, University of Newcastle, 29/07/2010
- Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), University of Newcastle, 27/04/1995
- Bachelor of Science (Architecture), University of Newcastle, 11/05/1990
Research
Research keywords
- Health and Housing
- Small urban houses
- Urban residual space
Research expertise
Research areas include;
analysis of residual space within urban streets.
urban housing within the residual space of urban streets.
'ageing in place' and social housing.
'cuttings' within buildings to be demolished.
M.Phil.
Developing Computational Image Segmentation Techniques for the Analysis of the Visual Properties of Dwelling Facades within a Streetscape.
PhD (current)
The Mapping and Occupation of Residual Space within the Urban Streets of Newcastle for Housing
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 120101 | Architectural Design | 70 |
| 120508 | Urban Design | 20 |
| 190205 | Interactive Media | 10 |
Memberships
Body relevant to professional practice.
- Member - RAIA
Appointments
| Member of the Hunter Development Corporation Design Review Panel HDC (Australia) | 01/01/2006 |
| Member of the CCC Affordable Housing External Reference Group Cessnock City Council (Australia) | 01/01/2007 |
Awards
Research Award.
| 2010 | Pro Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research Creative Works University of Newcastle (Australia) Vanna3: Realised Architectural Project Chris Tucker Research Background: These houses embrace the complexity and contradiction inherit within the values, regulations and development controls regarding infill housing within heritage conservation areas. The street facing elevation deconstructs the significant and deeply layered Vanna Venturi House as a source for architectural critique. Research Contribution: The construction of two houses, both two storey, is effectively hidden behind a façade that is proportioned and sized on the façade of the 1966 Vanna Venturi house designed by Robert Venturi for his mother. This architectural critique on iconic importation is similar to the digitized stretching of the same façade undertaken by Ashton Raggart McDougall. The existing house on site was deconstructed firstly by making a surgical cut from front to back3, and then as a reinterpretation of stated heritage values the demolished framing timbers were retained to clad the façade of the new house. The interior space in contrast is a covered external space with carefully folded ceiling planes. The houses critique the modernist adage that ‘less is more’ and provides a contemporary interpretation of heritage planning codes beyond the retention of existing street facades. Research Significance This architectural research is significant because of its architectural interpretation of planning codes within heritage areas using one of the 20th centuries most iconic buildings. While the architectural manipulations of façade and icon are yet to be published, the design has been recognised by selection for display in the Australian Pavilion at the 2008 Venice Biennale, publication in the exhibition book ‘Abundant’, and subsequent ‘Abundant Highlights’ exhibition in Australia upon return. |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Central Glass International Architectural Design Competition Japan Architect (Japan) There is a need for small houses in urban centres through out the world and within Australian cities this is also the case. This housing project is within the east coast city of Newcastle, where single people and single parents represent 70% of all people requiring affordable or public housing. The nearly urban housing project is part of an urban strategy to use available space within the inner city of Newcastle for small houses. The project proposes that a three metre wide space above a pedestrian footpath, on the north west and south west sides of a five storey car parking station, be used for the construction of 30 one and two bedroom houses. By clinging to the surface of the car parking station each house has a car parking space at their front door, while the operational aspects of the car parking station are without change. The addition of these houses brings more people in closer proximity to the public transport hub in Newcastle, and closer to the places where they are more likely to work. The consumption of spaces that make a limited contribution to the life of the street with the habitable spaces of housing activates the surrounding public space. The commercial potential of this residual space otherwise remains unrealised unless released by a buildings demolition or radical overhaul. Mapping these spaces within the city as a network of lost spaces shows that they can occupy a considerable volume. Close to public transport, shopping streets and places of work they should be desirable places for housing. In Tokyo for example, where modern houses occupy ever-smaller parcels of land, any available space appears to be continuously interrogated for possibilities. he value that this process places on spaces within the city reinforces the notion that; urbanity is not a static form at the end of a debate for more dense living. This is rarely the case in Australian cities. The existing landscape of urban buildings and urban spaces are thick with possibility. Already established as places where taller and more substantial buildings have been built, and as a space where people do live more closely with each other, the use of urban space should always be questioned for its potential as housing. This may also help conserve some of the workers cottages within the inner city that are being removed and replaced with more dense and larger apartments. The proposed nearly urban houses are linearly planned with service spaces running against the shared wall with the car parking station. At one end is an outdoor room that might become a study or garden in a one bedroom house. A two bedroom house has a bedroom on the other side of this outdoor room. The houses are cantilevered from the existing wall and structurally supported by the concrete frame of the car parking station. |
Collaboration
Collaborations include;
School of Computer Science; visual algorithms for analysing architecture
Department of Family and Community Services; Social Housing
Newcastle City Council; Social Housing
UoN Think Space; Interactive architecture and projection
Herd pty ltd; architectural practice
Administrative
Administrative expertise
Program Convenor for the Master of Architecture
Program Convenor for the Master of Architecture (Post Graduate entry)
FEBE Faculty Progress and Appeals Committee (School representative)
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Agency within the Built Environment
- Architectural Design
Teaching expertise
Prior Teaching in the B.Design(Architecture) program
ARBE2220 Architectural Design 2a
ARBE2201 Architectural Design 2b
ARBE1101 Construction Technology1
ARBE2100 Construction Technology2
Prior Teaching in the M.Arch
ARBE6220 Architectural Design 4a
ARBE6221 Architectural Design 4b
Current Teaching in the Master of Architecture program
ARBE6222 Architectural 5a
ARBE6230 Architectural 5b
While teaching the second year design program, actual design projects were preferred for design
problems; for the students this provides an insight into the problems that face a practicing
architect, while the community groups benefit by having their design problem creatively
explored.
Teaching design in the final year of the Master of Architecture program prepares students for the professional practice of architecture with an emphasis on self-directed research and learning. The elective design project allows students to research architectural issues and situations in response to the roles that architects are undertaking in natural and urban environments. Critical to this is an understanding of the history and theory of architecture and its relationship to the physical, social, cultural and financial environment.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 8 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $412,080 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2013 (1 grants)
City Evolutions Project - Watt Street$262,430
Funding Body: Newcastle City Council
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Chris Tucker, Professor Mark Balnaves, Doctor Ning Gu, Professor Mario Minichiello, Associate Professor Stephan Chalup, Doctor Keith Nesbitt | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $262,430 | 2013 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1201004 | ||
2012 (2 grants)
Deconstructing Elladale$11,250
Funding Body: Newcastle Innovation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Chris Tucker | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Administered Research | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $11,250 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1300970 | ||
Designing Place - International Urban Design Conference, Nottingham UK, 2 - 3 April 2012$1,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Chris Tucker | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,500 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1200561 | ||
2008 (1 grants)
Ageing and neighbourhood: Linking indicators of healthy ageing and urban sustainability$17,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Associate Professor Lynne Parkinson, Mr Chris Tucker, Associate Professor Graham Brewer | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Pilot Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $17,500 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189050 | ||
2006 (1 grants)
Developing computational and algorithmic analytical techniques for investigating urban space$100,000
Funding Body: Newcastle Innovation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Michael Ostwald, Associate Professor Stephan Chalup, Mr Chris Tucker | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Administered Research | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $100,000 | 2006 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0188830 | ||
2005 (2 grants)
Applications in computer visualisation: assessing the visual qualities of architectural style$7,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Chris Tucker | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Early Career Researcher Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $7,000 | 2005 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0185685 | ||
5th International Space Syntax Symposium,13-17 June 2005$2,400
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Chris Tucker | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,400 | 2005 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0185344 | ||
2004 (1 grants)
A Method for the Visual Analysis of Streetscape Character Using Digital Image Processing$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Scheme | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Cross School Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2004 | 2005 |
| GNo:18110275 | ||
(Chris) Tucker
| Work Phone | (02) 4921 5774 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 6913 |
| Chris.Tucker@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Lecturer School of Architecture and Built Environment Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment |
| Focus Area | Architecture |
| Office | A113, Architecture, Callaghan University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/chris-tucker |
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