From Transaction to Connection:
A Spatial Strategy for RMIT Food Co-op
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Client
RMIT
Role
Research Lead &
Strategy Facilitator
Timeline
3 months
RMIT students face a hidden crisis: 52% experience food insecurity. Tasked with transforming a campus space into a Food Co-op, my team moved beyond simple "grocery distribution" to design a holistic social hub. Using a rigorous Service Design methodology spanning from Service Safaris, Infrastructure Mapping, and Participatory Workshops. We developed a spatial strategy that destigmatizes affordable food. The final proposal transforms a transaction point into a community "Third Place" that balances autonomy, efficiency, and social connection.
Context
Hunger is a Design Problem. How do you feed students without removing their dignity?
Food relief often feels transactional and shameful—a quick handout in a sterile room. Our brief was to reimagine a campus space as a Food Co-op. Our goal was to shift the model from "Charity" to "Community." We didn't just want to distribute food; we wanted to create a space where students wanted to hang out, cooking and eating together.
▲ Relationship between food, students, and space
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Research & Discovery
Mapping the Ecosystem. We didn't just observe; we analyzed the invisible friction.
I led a mixed-method research phase to understand how physical space dictates behavior.
▲ Service Safaris & Infrastructure Mapping
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Service Safaris
We audited competitors like Cheaper Buy Miles (efficient but chaotic) vs. Friends of the Earth (inviting but slow). This revealed a gap for a "Hybrid Model" that is cheap and dignified.
Infrastructure Mapping
We analyzed how specific elements (e.g., "Narrow Aisles") caused congestion and anxiety, while "Cafe Seating" encouraged dwelling. This proved that aisle width and lighting directly impact user confidence.
Student Interviews
Our interviews revealed that students prioritized "Autonomy" (self-service) over service. They didn't want to ask for help; they wanted to heat their own food and relax.
▲ Student Interviews
Co-Creation & Testing
▲ Proposed floorplan
Instead of designing with estimation, We hosted a Placemaking workshop using an A0-sized floor plan and movable furniture cutouts with memos provided
▲ Placemaking workshop
We asked students to rearrange the space to fit their daily routines.
We discovered students disliked the idea of a "Pure Supermarket." They consistently placed "Social Seating" (couches) next to "Food Zones," proving they craved connection as much as calories.
The Pivot…
▲ Finalised proposed floor plan
Outcome & Learning
Validating Future Spaces, Strategic impact beyond the classroom.
01
Destigmatizing Relief
By integrating lifestyle elements, we reframed food relief from "charity" to "community." This normalization strategy restores dignity, ensuring students feel like participants rather than dependents.
02
Visual Storytelling Win
Stakeholders praised the proposal as "seductive and powerful. The use of detailed isometric visualizations successfully bridged the gap between abstract research and concrete spatial strategy."
03
Future-Proof Viability
To ensure longevity, we proposed a modular framework using flexible zoning and movable furniture. This adaptability minimizes future renovation costs while ensuring the space evolves alongside changing student needs.
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