On Friday, September 17, around 100 UQ architecture students will transform 20 parking bays at the St Lucia campus into creative public spaces as part of a one day global event called PARK(ing) Day.
As part of their design studies, the students will convert bays into temporary architecture installations to prompt consideration of the space that cars occupy in the city, and the importance of public and open space.
Student designs include a Zen garden made from used car parts, a pavilion made with handmade origami walls, and furniture made out of recycled cans and cardboard.
Brisbane Parking Day is part of a large scale international day of action where parking bays are transformed into temporary parks for the duration of the parking meter.
PARK(ing) Day first began in 2005 when REBAR – a San Francisco based artist collaborative - converted one parking bay into a simple park for an hour as a protest about the lack of public space in their city.
The group argued that putting money in a parking meter was like ‘leasing’ a public space.
Since then, London, New York and Rio de Janeiro have participated in the annual event.
The success of PARK(ing) Day has grown since 2005, with more than 700 Parks in 21 countries converted in 2009.
This is the second time UQ Architecture students will participate in the event.
Second-year course coordinator, Dr Nicole Sully from UQ’s School of Architecture said that the event was well received in the first year in 2008 when they constructed 19 parking bays on campus.
“Our students have been working on their designs and the construction of their Parks since July and they cannot wait to launch it on Friday.
“This year, we are fortunate to have support from a number of local businesses who have agreed to donate materials for the project,” she said.
Twenty UQ parks will be transformed in Campbell Road at UQ St Lucia between 11am and 3pm on Friday.
To read more about Brisbane PARK(ing) Day visit, www.brisbaneparkingday.com or read more about the first ever PARK(ing) Day event at "www.rebargroup.org/
Media: Dr Nicole Sully, School of Architecture on (07) 3365 3785 n.sully@uq.edu.au or or Izzy Koh, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (07) 3346 7696 or i.koh@uq.edu.au
