UQ first-year architecture students
UQ first-year architecture students
1 May 2013

Brisbane city’s Burnett Lane will come alive on Friday night thanks to the creative designs from The University of Queensland’s architecture students.

The Burnett Beacons project will feature 37 battery-powered lanterns or ‘beacons’ which have been designed and created by UQ’s first-year architecture students as part of the Ideas Fiesta finale.

UQ School of Architecture lecturer Dr Cathy Smith said the Burnett Beacons project was of great educational benefit to the first year architecture students.

“The beacons project provides the opportunity to introduce students to important design issues associated with actual project sites, materials, 1:1 scale design prototyping, ideas and architectural form,” Dr Smith said.

“The benefits to students are enormous.

“They have the opportunity to design and test their projects in a public forum, to be exposed to current urban issues and industry stakeholders, and can use the festival as an opportunity to celebrate their hard work.

“The student lanterns and the festival itself are a product of the Brisbane City Council’s vision to activate the city through public events.”

First-year architecture student Daniel Park said that he enjoyed immensely the creative challenge posed through the beacon design and construction.

“Throughout the beacon project we have been encouraged to find engaging and creative ways to present our ideas rather than conforming to set preconceptions,” he said.

“We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to exhibit our work at such a dynamic exhibition event and site.”

The Ideas Fiesta finale on Friday night is called City Chic.

It will be jam-packed with live music, fashion parades and numerous creative projects, including live artist and composer Zane Trow’s live remix of sounds sourced by the first year students.

Media: UQ Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, Communication Officer, Madelene Flanagan, m.flanagan@uq.edu.au or + 61 7 3365 8525.