Insights

PLΛCE ΛSSEMBLY contributes to the advancement of urban design and design quality through professional leadership, research and public discourse. These activities strengthen our advisory practice, bringing current evidence, multidisciplinary perspectives and independent judgement to every client engagement.

Leadership

Our work is informed by active leadership across the design professions, including independent design review, advisory appointments and fellowships. These roles provide broad insight into emerging policy, practice and design quality across Australia.

  • Place Assembly Director Jocelyn Chiew serves on the NSW SDR Precincts and Education panels, providing strategic advice for key projects including Blackwattle Bay redevelopment on the former Sydney Fish Market site.

    Jocelyn has served on the Victorian State Design Review since 2019, working across key projects including Marvel Stadium Redevelopment and New Footscray Hospital.

  • Place Assembly Director, Jocelyn Chiew has served on juries for national and international design competitions and awards programs including:

    • Whitehorse Performing Arts Centre Competition

    • Point Grey competition

    • Property Council of Australia Awards of Excellence

    • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Victorian and Tasmanian State Awards

    • AA Prize for Unbuilt Work

  • Place Assembly Director Jocelyn Chiew is a Fellow of The Australian Institute of Architects and The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

Research

Research informs our advisory work by connecting emerging knowledge with practical decision-making. Through academic collaborations and practice-based inquiry, we explore how design shapes belonging, stewardship and the long-term performance of places.

  • Through The Atlas of Belonging, Place Assembly is exploring what belonging means for diverse users of public space.

  • Place Assembly is currently undertaking research into housing, public space and belonging at RMIT University.

  • Place Assembly Director, Jocelyn Chiew led the curation of The Excellent City Series - a collection of 18 public workshops that explored what design excellence means for diverse communities across Melbourne. Learnings from the series have been embedded in city works, dialogues and resources.

Publications

Our publications share research, project insights and critical reflections with the broader profession. Through writing, we contribute to conversations on urban strategy, placemaking and the evolving role of design in shaping resilient, inclusive and enduring places.

Speaking

Place Assembly Director, Jocelyn Chiew is a regular speaker, moderator and panellist at industry conferences and professional forums, contributing to conversations on urban strategy, design quality, public space and place stewardship.

    • UIA World Congress Copenhagen

    • International Association of University Architects Conference St Louis

    • Architeam Conference

    • New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Wananga

    • The Architecture Symposium - Acts of Generosity

    • Landscape Australia Conference

    • University Masterplans Summit

    • Tertiary Education Management Conference

    • Research Facilities Conference

    • National Infrastructure Summit

    • Modern Methods of Construction 2026

    • Australian Architecture Conference 2025

    • Robin Boyd Foundation Design Matters 2024

    • Melbourne Design Week: Perspectives 2024

    • Redesigning the Housing System 2024

    • UIA World Congress Copenhagen 2024

    • Open House Melbourne - This is Public 2023

    • Australian Urban Design Awards 2022

    • Parlour Winter Salon 2020

    • Property Council of Australia - Engaging with the Education Sector Vic 2019

    • Property Council Australia - Future Directions Vic 2018

Teaching

Teaching strengthens our advisory practice by fostering the exchange of knowledge between academia and professional practice. We support emerging practitioners while engaging with new ideas, critical thinking and contemporary approaches to design.

  • Place Assembly Director, Jocelyn Chiew leads postgraduate design studios on public realm design at RMIT University. She has previously led postgraduate urban design studios at the University of Melbourne.

    • University of Melbourne Graduation Ceremony Address

    • RMIT University Interior and Public Symposium

    • University of Melbourne MSD Removing Barriers

    • Monash University Public Works - The upstream Designer Symposium

Media

Media engagement extends our professional conversations. Through interviews, podcasts and commentary, we contribute evidence-based perspectives on urban strategy, design quality and the role of place in shaping communities and public life.

Let’s talk

Every project is different.

We welcome conversations at any stage - from defining a brief through to independent review of a project already underway.

Email us

Projects