Charles Darwin University design and architecture students are giving non-profit community groups in Darwin the chance to draw on their expertise.
CDU design and architecture lecturer Marianne Dyason said the new CDU outreach program aimed to provide students with an opportunity to improve their community engagement skills, while helping to improve lives in the community.
“This is an opportunity for community groups wanting to improve facilities to take advantage of some innovative concepts and ideas on offer by our students,” Ms Dyason said.
“We welcome any non-profit organisations that require design assistance with any project that will benefit their community members to contact us. This could range from the design of a shade structure sail to the design of a new community space.”
Ms Dyason said that successful projects would be mutually beneficial. Students would benefit from working on a “real life” project and the client would receive a set of ideas from a group of enthusiastic and vibrant designers,
“Design and architecture can have a huge impact on people’s lives, whether it is a building or a public space and it is vital that students understand the needs of the public to ensure their designs have a positive impact.
“These ideas are a great starting point for the client to see how their projects might be imagined. It also gives the client the opportunity to reassess their requirements before developing the design further."
CDU’s architecture students are currently working in conjunction with the National Trust to design a new exhibition that tells the story of Burnett House and the experiences of the residents from the late 1930s to the early 1970s.
“It really gives the students an opportunity to interact with a real client and practise what they are learning in class,” Ms Dyason said.
For more information or to find out if your community group is eligible phone:
8946 7265 or email: marianne.dyason@cdu.edu.au.