An innovative approach to disaster relief housing has seen a trio of University of Tasmania (UTAS) architecture students win the National Super Studio Design Competition.
More than 80 teams, compromising 182 students from 20 universities across Australia showcased a range of ‘radical solutions’ to address the impacts of extreme weather.
Master of Architecture students Mia Larsen, Luke Pendergast and Lachlan Sutton reigned supreme at the national competition with their Jingana Epicormic Resilient Community Housing Strategy project, which presented a bold vision for public spaces that seamlessly blends sustainability with innovation.
The team says their inspiration stemmed from the resilient Jingana plant, with a design that mimics nature’s adaptability in the face of constant climate changes.
The National Super Studio Design Competition, organised by the Australian Institute of Architects and SONA, invites architecture students from across the nation to stretch the boundaries of creative thinking and is a significant event within the Australian architecture community.
It offers a platform for emerging talents to showcase their creative and design skills and includes a cash prize, publication of the winning project in Architecture Australia, as well as mentorship from leading architects.
This accomplishment enhances the winning team members’ professional profiles and opens doors to future career opportunities in architecture and design.
Functional and beautiful architectural innovation
The jury was impressed by the quality of work and creative ideas of the Tasmania team, particularly the immediate rollout post-disaster that allows for customisation and modification during occupation, and the capacity for repair and relocation in the longer term.
The jury citation noted that “this strategy successfully balances the need for immediate respite and emergency shelter with the longer-term needs of a community in recovery”.
Professor Julian Worrall, Head of the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Tasmania, praised the students’ achievement:
“Design for adaptation and resilience is what the brief called for. The winning response was based on an understanding of how this happens in nature, which the students translated into architecture that is both functional and beautiful,” he says.
“This award highlights the profound significance of connection to nature, Country and community as we adapt and recast our relations to the planet. This perspective is embedded in the ethos of our School, and we are very proud that our students have received national recognition for their work that so eloquently expresses these values.”
