Landscape MATERIALITIES: Student Activated Structures

Using the New Student Precinct as inspiration, students undertaking the 'Landscape MATERIALITIES' elective have designed and constructed prototypes of landscape furniture designed to support external social spaces.

Students began the subject by focusing on materiality and construction techniques, exploring the potential of temporary site-specific structures which perform as inhabitable site furniture or interventions supportive of living systems.

Of these designs, three selected prototypes were refined and constructed over a series of weekend workshops:

1. The Flip flop

A timber seat frame that can be retrofitted to external walls or amphitheatres to provide a more comfortable seat that also flips up to provide a bench.

Concept design proposal for Flip Flop
Photograph of completed prototype for the Flip Flop seat and bench

2. The Bend

A segmented precast concrete backrest which can be moved easily to provide more comfortable small group seating for flat areas.
Concept design proposal for The Bend adaptable back rest
Photograph of completed prototype for the The Bend back rest

3. The Bean Planter

A lightweight precast concrete planter and seat. The students prototype can be upsized and developed to double as a seat for temporary landscape spaces.

Concept design for the Bean Planter
Photograph of completed prototype for the Bean Planter

Student work developed through Precinct-focused design studios will be exhibited in late July of 2018 in the Precinct Engagement Space, to be located in the former Tsubu cafe. This space will open in early July and exhibition dates will be published on our events and activations page in the coming weeks.