Kim Pham
10 August 2016: Parliament House and the penny farthing were the inspirations behind two competition-winning bike racks designed by a University of Canberra alumnus and industrial design student.
Emerging industrial designer Rene Linssen and current student Grace Maguire's designs were one of four winners of the ACT Government's Bike Rack Design Competition. The four designs have now been installed across the city in Belconnen, Dickson, Kingston and Tuggeranong.
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University of Canberra alumnus Rene Linssen with his competition-winning, Parliament Bike Rack. Photo: Kim Pham.
Mr Linssen said he wanted his cast aluminium design to reflect Canberra in a unique way.
"Parliament House is the centre and the heart of the city so I thought there couldn't be anything more perfect," Mr Linssen said.
"The shape worked out really well because cyclists like to lock both wheels so the wide stance allows you to lock the front and back wheel at once as well as the bike frame because the rack comes out in the middle."
There were a total of 27 competition entries with designs judged on artistic merit, safety and durability. Each of the successful designs were provided with a $10,000 budget to have their bike racks manufactured.
It's not the first time Mr Linssen's talent has been recognised with the 22-year-old winning the inaugural Vogue Living Alessi Emerging Design Prize in 2015.
"It's surreal seeing your design in the flesh. When you see the 3D model it's great but when you see it in person, it's different, it's very cool," he said.
"It's very humbling to be part of something like this where you're leaving your mark on Canberra. I'm stoked to be part of it."
Mr Linssen completed his industrial degree in 2015 and is currently working at Dickson-based company Formswell Design. He recently exhibited a coffee table that incorporates a light at the VIVID Décor and Design competition in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Ms Maguire's penny farthing-inspired design can be found at the Kingston Foreshore.
"I wanted to bring the past to the present in a fun and fresh way," she said.
"The piece is not a boring, lifeless bike rack…but an iconic addition to the area. It's playful, solid and bold, yet encouraging engagement."
Ms Maguire collaborated with her brother Will Maguire who constructed and hand forged the rack from raw steel.
