A University of Tasmania team of master’s students, comprising Luke Pendergast, Mia Larsen and Lachlan Sutton, have been awarded national winners of the Australian Institute of Architects’ annual conceptual design competition, Super Studio 2024.
Super Studio 2024 was a whirlwind of creativity, kicking off with the brief reveal on July 31, 2024. Over 180 students from 20 universities participated, with 83 submissions presented to local juries across the nation.
Responding to a national brief with a theme of design for adaptation, participants were invited to explore radical and innovative solutions to address the impacts of extreme weather.
After careful deliberation, the national jury selected the Tasmanian team for their innovative approach to disaster relief housing. Their design, inspired by the resilient Jingana plant, offers immediate post-disaster shelter and long-term adaptability, impressing the jury with its thoughtful balance.
Tasmanian state juror, Jonathan Buist RAIA, explained…
“It was an amazing range of presentations that responded to the 2024 Super Studio brief: to explore radical and innovative solutions to address the impacts of extreme weather,” said Buist.
“The quality of thought and work presented at a state level was outstanding and all this occurred at the same time as the current semester study schedule. Well done to all who participated, and the winners UTAS students, Luke, Mia and Lachlan, who went all the way to win the national title,” said Buist.
2024 National Super Studio Winners
Project: Jingana Epicormic Resilient Community Housing Strategy
Team: Luke Pendergast, Mia Larsen & Lachlan Sutton, master’s students at the University of Tasmania
Jury Citation
Jingana Epicormic Resilient Community Housing Strategy’ demonstrates a composed and adaptable approach to navigating severe and unpredictable climate events.
The jury found the ‘light touch’ approach to disaster relief captivating. The jury was particularly impressed by the careful consideration of timescale in the response to the brief, such as the immediate rollout post-disaster, allowances for customisation and modification during occupation, and the capacity for repair and relocation in the longer term. The design response is commended for its adaptability, with the provision of a central refuge core alongside the flexible extension modules. This strategy successfully balances the need for immediate respite and emergency shelter with the longer term needs of a community in recovery. Furthermore, the inspiration of biomimetic responses from the Jingana plant demonstrates a thorough investigation of nature’s adaptability in the face of constant changes to climate.
Ultimately, the jury agreed that the ‘Jingana Epicormic Resilient Community Housing Strategy’ embodies a highly considered approach to designing for adaptability.
-ENDS-
Find the full winning proposal through this link here.
Find out more about Super Studio through this link here.
For all media inquiries, please contact: Jennifer Nichols on behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects | jennifer.nichols@architecture.com.au
