As part of continuing place activation efforts on the main Curtin campus, students have designed eco pods for a work integrated learning competition.<\/p>\n
Twenty-two architecture postgraduate students entered the competition, which required them to design eco pods that drew upon the concept of sustainability, explored advanced knowledge environments and enhanced their learning.<\/p>\n
Each of the student\u2019s works was critiqued by a series of judges, who awarded first place, second place and two honourable mentions.<\/p>\n
Since the competition was a part of the Integrated Building Research unit, lecturer Dr Chamila \u201cCham\u201d Subasinghe also independently marked the students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe asked the students to put aside their thoughts on the traditional archetype of pods, which is that they\u2019re placeless, and design pods that capture the spirit of a place,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
To begin with the process, Cham gave the students an in-class warm-up exercise where they manipulated a \u2018virtual cube\u2019 by folding a piece of paper, which helped them shape the \u2018space\u2019 of their pod and understand how to minimise its carbon footprint.<\/p>\n
After this, the students worked together to generate spatial and visual connectivity maps and build an acrylic model of the campus to decide where to locate their pods. They then worked alone, drawing design concepts, making architectural working drawings and constructing a full-scale model of one of their pod\u2019s critical details within a 12-week span.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe relationship students have to university is all about commuting. They come and then they leave. But, if you look at the \u2018happening\u2019 knowledge environments around the world, they\u2019re interacting with the student population on campus. That\u2019s what my students are promoting here,\u201d Cham says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a range of solutions my students have given, but every solution has some kind of answer to student retention.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cham says that each pod was designed using recyclable materials and that they would complement Curtin\u2019s architecture on campus if they were built.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at the design of the pods, they\u2019re subtle. They\u2019re unthreatening towards the existing architectural language on campus. I think Curtin is actively seeking its architectural identity and that\u2019s part of the appeal of these pods,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
The University is keen to explore whether one of the designs can be built on campus.<\/p>\n
Among those championing the pod designs is Professor Jill Downie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are finding that students are using all the informal learning spaces on campus that we provide \u2013 inside and outside. I am really excited about the pods because they are innovative, visible, flexible and will really meet a need we have for student services at locations other than Student Central,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to see this project come to life, because it\u2019s supporting the great talent we have here at Curtin: our students!\u201d<\/p>\n
The students who entered the competition will finish their courses within the next one to two years. We can\u2019t wait to see their further contributions to the architectural services industry.<\/p>\n
Five students\u2019 pods are featured below.<\/p>\n