Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Laura Harper is a practicing architect and lecturer in Architecture. Laura's research is both architectural and urban, studying material and construction through their systematic connection to wider processes, structures and histories of the both the built and natural worlds. Laura completed her PhD, The Urbanism of Material, at Monash Univeristy in 2018.
Laura is part of the Monash Urban Lab where she is part of the Atlas of the Underground research group as well as the Regional and Rural group. Laura's current research focuses on understanding the influence of geology and extraction on the urban environment and notable publications on this subject include Goldrush Urbanism (2016), Urban Fringe Quarries (2018) and the Afterlife of Mines (2019). Laura has worked on funded projects for DEWLP, City of Melbourne and Resilient Melbourne.
Laura has over 10 years' experience in practice including at DTA Architects (Dublin), Lyons Architects, and NMBW Architecture Studio. Notable projects working in these offices include the Santry Demense Social Housing, Dublin (RIAI Silver Medal for Housing 2009/2010), Box Hill Gardens (AIA award for Urban Design 2014) and Point Lonsdale House (AIA Architecture Award for New Residential, 2016). Laura currently practices in collaboration with Roland Snooks.
Education/Academic qualification
Architecture, Bachelor, Housing for Jeparit, RMIT University
1 Mar 1998 → 1 Nov 2005
Award Date: 1 Nov 2005
Research area keywords
- Architecture
- Materials
- Urban History
- Gold
- Stone
- Clay
- Underground
- regional architecture
- regional history
- regional cities
- robotics
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Project #61: Building Productivity—Product, Process, People
Maxwell, D. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Couper, R. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Bunster, V. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Khor, L.-A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Harper, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cruz Gambardella, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Soltani, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Fang, Y. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sohal, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Islam, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Pavez Souper, F. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Sinhala Pathiranage, M. (Associate Investigator (AI))
1/03/24 → 1/03/27
Project: Research
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Repairing memory & place: An Indigenous-led approach to urban water design
Martin, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Briggs, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bertram, N. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Harper, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Melo Zurita, M. D. L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Murphy, C. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Faulkhead, S. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Coleman, R. A. (Partner Investigator (PI))
22/02/23 → 21/02/27
Project: Research
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Flexible wet cores for volumetric housing construction
Khor, L.-A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Maxwell, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cruz, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Harper, L. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Monash University – Internal Faculty Contribution
18/03/25 → 30/06/26
Project: Research
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Ecological Impacts of Material Supply Chains - Building 4.0 Scholarship Aidan White
White, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Harper, L. (Supervisor), Bunster, V. (Supervisor), Maxwell, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Crow, J. (Chief Investigator (CI))
28/08/23 → 27/08/26
Project: Research
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Componentised Internal Wall Systems for multi-residential Applications (Building 4.0 CRC, Project 28)
Harper, L. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Khor, L.-A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Maxwell, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bunster, V. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bertram, N. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Murray, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Graham, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ngo, T. D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Couper, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Kuzmanovska, I. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Tinios, D. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Rollo, J.-P. (Associate Investigator (AI))
25/07/21 → 25/01/22
Project: Research
Research output
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(Un)regulated wetlandscapes – laang tageek baany in Boonwurrung Country, Nairm
Lara Heyns, A., Briggs, C., Martin, B., Melo Zurita, M. D. L., Harper, L. & Murphy, C., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Settler Colonial Studies. 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
'Artefact 14 (geological bodies)' - SM - Tulane University
Snooks, R. (Designer), Harper, L. (Designer), Gibson, M. (Designer) & Panicker, D. (Architect), 2025Research output: Non-textual form › Design / Architecture › Other
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'Artefact 14 (geological bodies)' - SM - University of Houston
Snooks, R. (Designer), Harper, L. (Designer), Gibson, M. (Developer) & Panicker, D. (Designer), 2025Research output: Non-textual form › Design / Architecture › Other
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Artefact 14 (geological bodies)
Snooks, R. (Designer), Harper, L. (Designer), Gibson, M. (Designer) & Panicker, D. (Designer), 2024Research output: Non-textual form › Design / Architecture › Research
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'Ground Melbourne' - SM - National Gallery of Victoria
Dodd, M., Shin, H. W., Wright, L., Walter, H., Bertram, N., Gusheh, M., Harper, L., Kairuz, E., Khor, L.-A. & Murphy, C., 2024Research output: Non-textual form › Design / Architecture › Other
Prizes
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2012 ACT Architecture Awards: Award for Residential Architecture
Bertram, N. (Recipient), Neustupny, M. (Recipient), McLean, L. (Recipient), Townsend, C. (Recipient), Harper, L. (Recipient) & Rehak, R. (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2016 National Architecture Awards: Residential Architecture - Houses (New) - Winner
Bertram, N. (Recipient), Neustupny, M. (Recipient), McLean, L. (Recipient), Harper, L. (Recipient) & Le touze de Longuemar, M. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2022 National Architecture Awards - Residential Architecture Multiple Housing, Commendation: St Albans Housing
Bertram, N. (Recipient), Neustupny, M. (Recipient), McLean, L. (Recipient), Murray, S. (Recipient), Rowe, D. (Recipient), Board, H. (Recipient), Harper, L. (Recipient) & Le touze de Longuemar, M. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2022 Victorian Architecture Awards - Award for Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing: St Albans Housing
Bertram, N. (Recipient), Neustupny, M. (Recipient), McLean, L. (Recipient), Murray, S. (Recipient), Rowe, D. (Recipient), Board, H. (Recipient), Harper, L. (Recipient) & Le Touze, M. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2023 ArchitectureAU Award for Social Impact - Commendation: St Albans Housing
Bertram, N. (Recipient), Neustupny, M. (Recipient), McLean, L. (Recipient), Murray, S. (Recipient), Rowe, D. (Recipient), Board, H. (Recipient), Harper, L. (Recipient) & Le Touze, M. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Monash Urban Lab Housing: Actions
Alexander, J. (Contributor), Gusheh, M. (Director), Bertram, N. (Contributor), Dodd, M. (Contributor), Brewin, R. (Contributor), Harper, L. (Contributor), Thompson, K. (Contributor) & Wright, L. (Contributor)
30 Jul 2025Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Conversations on Art & Science: Tectonic Resonance Conversation
Harper, L. (Contributor) & Snooks, R. (Contributor)
17 Mar 2024Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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REPAIRING MEMORY AND PLACE: AN INDIGENOUS-LED, PRACTICE-BASED APPROACH TO URBAN WATER DESIGN
Lara Heyns, A. (Contributor), Briggs, C. (Contributor), Harper, L. (Contributor) & Murphy, C. (Host)
31 Oct 2024Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public event
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Roundtable: Common Ground
Murphy, C. (Contributor), Gusheh, M. (Contributor), Bertram, N. (Contributor), Dodd, M. (Contributor), Kairuz, E. (Contributor), Harper, L. (Contributor), Shin, H.-W. (Contributor) & Wright, L. (Contributor)
3 Sept 2023Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Hidden Rippon Lea: A Sonic And AR Experience Of Underground Water Stories
Harper, L. (Contributor), Ho, X. (Contributor) & Briggs, C. (Contributor)
28 May 2023Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
Press/Media
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WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL BRISBANE: 'Conversations on Art & Science: Subterranean Sonics'
Harper, L., Snooks, R. & Samartzis, P.
16/03/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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THE WEEKEND EDITION: 'Make World Science Festival Brisbane a family affair with the fascinating fun of these kid-approved events'
Harper, L., Snooks, R. & Samartzis, P.
29/02/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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THE GUARDIAN: 'The biggest bang: when science and art come together at World Science Festival Brisbane 2024'
Harper, L., Snooks, R. & Samartzis, P.
15/02/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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CONCRETE PLAYGROUND: 'Space Rocks, Helium Spheres and 'Metropolis' with a Live Score: World Science Festival Brisbane's 2024 Program Is Here'
Harper, L., Snooks, R. & Samartzis, P.
1/02/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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IN REVIEW: 'Spotlight on the art of science'
Harper, L., Snooks, R. & Samartzis, P.
1/02/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other