Deakin design with a difference

Deakin University’s graduating architecture students in Melbourne and Geelong are gearing up to have their designs displayed at an exclusive public exhibition titled PaperSpace this month.

Hosted by Deakin’s School of Architecture and Built Environment, the exhibition showcasing innovative designs to combat loneliness, promote tourism and celebrate changing landscapes was on display at Federation Square from November 5-9, before relocating to the gallery at Deakin’s Geelong Waterfront Campus from November 13-23.

Head of the School of Architecture and Built Environment Professor Anthony Mills said this year’s exhibition features extraordinary work from both undergraduate and masters students, with drawings, models and folios on display.

“The PaperSpace exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to see the exciting work of up and coming architects whose innovative ideas may play a pivotal role in designing our future built environment.”

Masters of Architecture student Melisa Santos designed “The Five Faces of Loneliness”, a project exploring how architecture holds the potential to have a meaningful social impact.

“Using an existing aged care facility in Melbourne’s north east, this project aims to incorporate intergenerational programs for children and older adults to promote social interaction between the most lonely. This cohousing village would provide short-term care for children in out of home care, and a permanent home for new retirees,” Melisa said.

“I want the type of buildings I design to have a bigger social impact than just looking beautiful. With this project I’ve identified five different triggers of loneliness and incorporated architectural elements and shared spaces to address these and encourage community and fellowship.”

Fellow student Charith Siriwardana took the opportunity to design a redevelopment of Lake Colac in Victoria’s west, including a pool within the lake, a cable wakeboarding park, and a redesign of the yacht club which features an added function room and restaurant. “I relocated to Colac for work a year ago, moved right by the lake and fell in love with it,” Charith said.

“It’s a really beautiful natural landscape, but there’s not a lot of architecture or design around the lake to help connect it with locals and visitors. I wanted to explore how architecture could reactivate a regional community because there is a huge opportunity since thousands of people pass Colac on the way to Great Ocean Road, and I’ve already shared my plans with the local mayor.”

The exhibition is free and open to the public. School and industry group guided tours are available and can be arranged by the university.

For more information about the PaperSpace exhibitions, head to facebook.com/paperspace.exhibition.

WHAT: PaperSpace – Geelong
WHEN: November 13-23
WHERE: A+B Gallery, Deakin
Waterfront Campus