Michael Dickson’s research is focused along four broad themes: design and practice and developing design propositions through built work, design pedagogy and creativity, timber construction and timber resource maximisation and finally the confluence between craft and industrial production using CAD and fabrication technologies.
Michael is a lecturer in design, technology and communication at the School of Architecture, University of Queensland. Michael graduated from The University of Queensland in 1993 and has been practicing through a range of offices situated in Brisbane, Malaysia, Ireland and Latvia up until 2006. His most recent practice experience in Latvia was through his own private practice operated in collaboration with Mara Francis from 2001. During this time in private practice, Dickson Francis Architects worked on a range of projects from major reconstructions of post soviet infrastructure through to reconstruction of residences of heritage significance.
Having recently entered academia, Michael’s research straddles teaching, research and practice with projects focusing on prototyping, experimental installations and developing research interests via consultancies through Uniquest.
Other Outputs: Feel the ground. Wall house: one to one
Dickson, Michael and Kundoo, Anupama (2012). Feel the ground. Wall house: one to one. The Corderie, Arsenale, Venice, Italy:
Other Outputs: A New School Vision
Dickson, Michael (2011). A New School Vision.
Other Outputs: A market assessment and evaluation of structural roundwood products from hardwood pulp plantations
Dickson, M., Hopewell, G., MacKenzie, C., Bailleres, H., Switala, J. and Thomas, C. (2011). A market assessment and evaluation of structural roundwood products from hardwood pulp plantations. Melbourne, Vic, Australia: Forest and Wood Products Australia.
Retrofitting modular site accommodation for medium term housing of people at risk of homelessness
(2018) Ausco Modular Pty Limited
Architecture and Construction: Between Bespoke and Mass Production - The Case of Riga
(2007–2008) UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
Finding space between design thinking and CAD training
Dickson, Michael (2011). Finding space between design thinking and CAD training. Acrhitecture at the Edge: Association of Architecture Schools Australasia 2011 International Conference, Geelong, Vic., Australia, 19-20 September 2011. Geelong, Vic., Australia: Deakin University.
Concepts of play informing aspects of the design studio
Dickson, Michael (2010). Concepts of play informing aspects of the design studio. ConnectED 2010: 2nd International Conference on Design Education, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 28 June-1 July 2010. Sydney, NSW, Australia: The University of New South Wales.
Studio as laboratory: A hinge between idea and practice
Dickson, Michael (2007). Studio as laboratory: A hinge between idea and practice. CONNECTED 2007 International Conference on Design Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 9-12 July 2007. Sydney, Australia: University of New South Wales.
Feel the ground. Wall house: one to one
Dickson, Michael and Kundoo, Anupama (2012). Feel the ground. Wall house: one to one. The Corderie, Arsenale, Venice, Italy:
Dickson, Michael (2011). A New School Vision.
A market assessment and evaluation of structural roundwood products from hardwood pulp plantations
Dickson, M., Hopewell, G., MacKenzie, C., Bailleres, H., Switala, J. and Thomas, C. (2011). A market assessment and evaluation of structural roundwood products from hardwood pulp plantations. Melbourne, Vic, Australia: Forest and Wood Products Australia.
Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition
Dickson, Michael (2007). Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition.
Dickson, Michael and Francis, Mara (2005). Journey from the park, to forest to clearing and the prospect: Creating an internalized spatial sequence based on landscape metaphors.
Site setting and circumstance: A house and courtyard garden, Riga, Latvia
Dickson, Michael and Francis, Mara (2005). Site setting and circumstance: A house and courtyard garden, Riga, Latvia.
Courtyards and Corners: A New Rural Residential Dwelling
Dickson, Michael and Francis, Mara (2001). Courtyards and Corners: A New Rural Residential Dwelling.
Retrofitting modular site accommodation for medium term housing of people at risk of homelessness
(2018) Ausco Modular Pty Limited
Architecture and Construction: Between Bespoke and Mass Production - The Case of Riga
(2007–2008) UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund