Modern makeovers for icons

Three Architectural Engineering students at the University of Adelaide are among the finalists of a new national competition designing modern makeovers for some of Australia's best-known constructions.

The proposals, incorporating the latest in sustainable engineering, are touring the country in a six-week roadshow as part of the inaugural Baulderstone National Icons Award.

Seven iconic structures - the Sydney Opera House, Anzac Bridge in Sydney, Story Bridge in Brisbane, Etihad Stadium in Melbourne's Docklands, Treasury Building in Melbourne, Adelaide Convention Centre and the Graham Farmer Freeway in Perth - are being displayed on a grand scale, superimposed with the students' submissions.

Finalist team of two, Zoe Last and Duncan Marshall, proposed innovative sustainable methods of construction for the Adelaide Convention Centre expansion, which could help reduce the project's cost and its carbon footprint.

"These methods involved recycling and reusing the demolition materials for use in the new buildings, and also capturing rainwater to mitigate dust produced from the demolition and construction phases," Duncan said.

One of their main proposals was to reuse crushed concrete from demolition as fill for the foundations of the new extension.

"This initiative was designed to expose students to real projects and introduce us to thinking innovatively about how to solve problems, in our case, in the demolition and construction phases of an extension scheme. We both learnt a lot about the practical side of construction," Zoe said.

Finalist Santo Leung was allocated Perth's Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel and proposed a system of electrostatic precipitator and nitrogen dioxide filters as part of the tunnel ventilation and pollution management.

Santo said the experience he gained would help him become a responsible engineer and confirmed to him that sustainable engineering was the way of the future.

Architectural Engineering lecturer Bec Francis said the competition experience was of immense value to all the participating students.

"It has been a wonderful opportunity for students to think laterally and use the engineering skills they have already acquired," she said.

"It was particularly ideal for the Architectural Engineering students because it plays to their strengths; their approach blends creativity with their engineering expertise.

"For all of those who entered there has been greater insight into how they might employ their skills in real world industry, the chance to be creative, and the opportunity to step outside the focus of their 'uni-life' and see how engineering and creativity is valued in the workplace."

The University of Adelaide was one of eight top universities invited by Baulderstone to enter the competition, and won four of the 20 shortlisted places and two out of the seven finalist places.

The public has been encouraged to visit the roadshow to vote for their favourite student work. The roadshow started in Brisbane in early July, went to Canberra, Melbourne, and then the Adelaide Convention Centre. It is now heading to Perth in early August and will finish with a grand finale and overall winner to be announced in Sydney in mid-August.

Story by Robyn Mills

For more information about studying Engineering at the University of Adelaide go to: ua.edu.au/programs/2011 or visit Open Day Sunday 21 August. adelaide.edu.au/openday