FULCRUM - University of Newcastle MoA Graduate Exhibition - Awards Presented by RAA

On 17th November RAA president Tim Lee attended Fulcrum, the exhibition and celebration for the graduating masters students from the University of Newcastle’s Architecture Faculty. The beautifully restored and repurposed Central Hall made a perfect backdrop for the event.

Student work was displayed around the perimeter of the spaces over 2 levels, with each student showcasing their final presentations of the degree.

Students could elect to undertake one of two options. First, resolving a specific design brief. This project-based option had a single semester duration. The work required dissection of the brief and production of a programmed solution considering sustainability, Country and ethical, authentic solutions to the proffered design constraints.

The second option allowed students to select an independent self-directed design thesis of 12-month duration. Set in the space between design and research, the program allowed students to explore and question architecture. The resulting works did not necessarily propose a built solution but rather a rigorous dissertation around the selected topic.

The responses to set briefs were varied, rigorous and well resolved. The proposed built forms clearly demonstrating understanding of the constraints and opportunities each project presented.

Noteworthy responses included;

Toby Stevens’ social housing project inserted new development within dilapidated existing housing stock, creating a greater sense of community while also considering the economic generators governing many housing developments.

Caitlin Hong’s international campus integrated the proxemic nature of the individual into a built solution while also acknowledging the diverse cultural and social nature of a specific community.

Sam Collets’ solution for future development of the Catherine Hill Bay community provided an interesting exploitation of the local vernacular and the development of these forms to acknowledge the original contextual and historical response to site while providing a refreshing interpretation for future development.

Chloe Gesler with her project ‘Underneath the Sand’ and Aaron Crows with his project ‘Anatomy of Bald Hill’ were selected to receive the RAA prize. Through these projects the students showed a great understanding of regional issues and provided two beautiful solutions to vastly different programs.

Chloe’s response to drought acknowledged the extremes of regional Australia. Her project provided a genuine unification of community and sustainability. Chloe showed an understanding and empathy of the emotional and physical trauma weather extremes can unleash on small communities. Her solution provided a place for gathering, teaching, and healing while being mindful of environmental responsibility. The proposed building form acknowledged the constraints of the site, looked at the unification of the history and future of the country with the identity of the local. The forms and program provided a considered elegant solution.

Aaron’s investigation of the existential dilemma western civilisation creates through the urbanisation of fragile and unique natural ecosystems provided an exciting presentation that was visually rich and theoretically rigorous. The development of the initial idea examining the origin of the base material, be it timber, mineral, or earth developed into a topological inversion of the built and natural forms within an urban landscape. This juxtaposition was explored through texture of materiality, within the overlaid scaling of the natural versus the built environment. The project revealed wonderful potential for a future transition of the theoretical into realised form

Chloe Gesler is at the right with her winning project ‘Underneath the Sand’ and Aaron Crow’s winning project ‘Anatomy of Bald Hill’ is centre.

Both recipients are intending to work regionally, and I am sure their future contribution to the development of regional communities through considered, sustainable design solutions will be substantial.

The RAA award allows them each to attend one of RAA's unique face to face events and engage with a wide range of regional practitioners while.. inspired

We look forward to their participation in our future events.

Finally, I would like to thank the university of Newcastle’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment for their invitation to be part of the Graduating Masters of Architecture Exhibition.

Tim Lee, RAA President