Nowadays, it is common in Melbourne that architects restore historical heritage buildings by bringing in new contemporary designs. Although the outcome shows that the ‘old’ and ‘new’ are coexist together, however, in my opinion, it still looks like an untouchable façade instead of an interactive experience with people. Therefore, this research project explores interiors based on the coexistence of historical and contemporary buildings and challenges the traditional and conventional methods for integrating them.

This research explores how historical and contemporary buildings can be programmed together to facilitate new interiors. The investigation involves techniques such as collage, diagram, material arrangement, and digital media. Taken site of Queen Victoria Market and Mission to Seafarers Victoria, framing, levels of deconstructions in materials, structures, and memories are tested to bring historical and contemporary buildings to coexist.

The proposed project is an experiential journey of 7 specific buildings in Melbourne city, with the Swanston Square Tower apartment as the beginning, and the Mission to Seafarers Victoria as the destination. Techniques of collage, framing, and Augmented-Reality digital platform are applied. It aims to explore the dynamic relationship between people, time, sites, and the surrounding space.

As the title ‘New Again’, this project is able to contest the convention of restoration projects being still objects. The existing buildings are static, but people’s interior experience is dynamic. It encourages visitors to explore, to recognize, and to question the coexistence and has its potential to be introduced city-based and world-widely.