Building recreated by model student

A REPLICA of the Goods Shed circa 1800s is on display at a Japanese junior high school in Kyoto as a result of an exchange student’s trip to Ballarat.

The diorama was created by Doshisha Junior High School year 9 pupil Ikuko Saeki during her studies at Loreto College last year.

Having started her three-year traveling and architecture project in Year 7, Ms Saeki chose to recreate the recently renovated Goods Shed in the Ballarat Station precinct during her first visit to the region in August last year.

She said it was a prime example of architecture that’s maintained its character throughout its history.

“It’s a beautiful and unique heritage-listed building. For me, the most impressive architecture in Australia was this,” she said.

“The outside is very old while the inside is very new. I learned that this building was the Goods Shed that played an important role during the gold rush.

“Through this research I was able to get a new perspective on architecture that connects the present and the past.

“I believe it’s important we are not only pursuing convenience but are also taking hints from history and architecture.”

Prior to her Goods Shed model, Ms Saeki also recreated a building in the Japanese village of Shiwakawa-go as part of her project.

The model is a one to 300th scale replica which Ms Saeki built using tweezers and includes miniature trees, horse-drawn carts and a train and ballast track.

Ms Saeki recently visited Ballarat a second time earlier this year, and met with Atlantic Group staff who have been running the Goods Shed since its reopening as an events venue.

Having worked on the project for about three months last year, Ms Saeki said the project was a rewarding undertaking.

“It was very hard to finish to this model but I’m very happy and it’s very meaningful to share it,” she said.

“I would like many people in Ballarat to know that a Japanese student made a model of the Goods Shed and have more interest in heritage architecture.”