Assemble Papers began in 2010 as an independent online magazine based in Melbourne, Australia, founded by individuals advocating for innovative approaches to housing, including reduced environmental impact and stronger community ties. Initially produced on a tight budget from a Surry Hills warehouse before shifting operations to Melbourne, it filled a niche for progressive design journalism amid a wave of experimental publications. Editor Fleur Watson, who relocated from Sydney in the mid-2000s, shaped its direction for seven years, collaborating with designers like Sophie Griffiths and Stuart Geddes on curatorial content.
The magazine examined architecture's role in urban life, from Melbourne's foundational structures like St James’ Old Cathedral in 1839 to contemporary critiques of colonial landscapes, such as Hedgeley Dene Gardens in Malvern East—a 3.5-hectare site developed in 1921 from a former rubbish tip and later protected under a Neighbourhood Character Overlay. Articles delved into public spaces, interviewing figures on First Nations knowledge systems sustaining the land for over 65,000 years and concepts like the 20-minute city to counter commercial dominance.
It covered temporary projects, including the inaugural MPavilion in Queen Victoria Gardens in 2014, a Sean Godsell design commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, echoing historical pavilions while hosting public events and coffee service. Issues like "Public Moments" in 2021 highlighted reconnection amid lockdowns.
In 2025, Assemble Papers concluded as a distinct media project, transitioning under Assemble, the housing developer it inspired, which manages social and affordable homes across Australian states.