Number 37

submitted by Charles Dewanto, C J Foo, Lorenzo Ju, Yenny Kusuma, Louis Wong, Maggie Chu and Tze Ek Ng.

This supplementary prize recognises the degree of resolution of this innovative and ambitious vision for the concourse and the quality of the presentation.

Prize $5,000.00.

The Design

Super-Concourse (PDF format 5.6 Mb for Acrobat 6 and later).

Explanatory Text

Vision:

The super concourse is an ambitious proposal for rethinking the relationship between pedagogy and architectural
space/ contemporary learning environment that extends beyond the brief of merely animating university life. The
organic dynamics of education and its evolution in the age of open source learning calls for a revolution in
negotiating a conducive learning spatial typology. Our architecture rejects the predominant, albeit outdated model
of systematic institutional planning that is overly rigid; proclaims an emergent alternative, and strives to inculcate a
new educational culture.

Sir Ken Robinson, a leader in the development of innovation and human resource) once decried how ‘our
standardized linear form of learning has turned education into an industrialized model, a competitive mass
education system.

Our architecture for the new concourse seeks to transcend the architectural limits imposed by the current
institutional model, paving a new framework for a leap; from linear to an organic structure of education.

Architecture:

The architectural scheme is the proposition of a super concourse. This is a new infrastructural framework that lays
foundation to the future learning environment. Our intervention seeks to unify the existing University identity and, at
the same time, signify the aspirations towards the future of learning. This process would take place in three
phases.

Phase One: FOUNDATION

Undulating land forms seek to create a public space that responds to the natural environment of the surrounding
landscape. The subtle program distances itself spatially but stays visually connected to the busy university life
along its perimeter. The integration of the roof unifies the university as a single element while providing a
framework which allows for a customizable system in the future.

Phase Two: EVOLUTION

The second phase is set to allow the accommodation of existing and new programs to evolve and inhabit between
the ground concourse and roof becoming the “new” university building.

With the introduction of new technologies and the ever evolving learning environment; we need spaces that could
accommodate for current learning typologies but also future learning environments. Spaces would then need to be
highly adaptable and flexible. Inhabitation of the “new” building will be more sustainable and cost effective.

A built-in infrastructure which accommodates the demand of flexible physical and digital spaces shall be
introduced. To accommodate flexible unplanned usage of spaces, resources need to be readily available and
customisable for future users of the space. We provide an organic column grid with service connections running
through the tracks at both ceiling and in ground to allow for the installation of modular units. New modular floor
plates may be inserted to propagate the system above ground.

Phase Three: REVOLUTION

Adaptive reuse.

We believe in the principal goal of assisting in conservation of our cultural heritage, the adaptive reuse of old
buildings will bring in long-term benefits to cut the environmental, social and economic costs of urban development
and expansion in a sustainable manner.

Building 8 would be readapted to become an archival / media building, while Building 1 is to accommodate future
expansion of the hub with other buildings to follow.Building 2 (lecture & tutorial rooms) and Building 10 (computer
centre) will be demolished creating a cross concourse to allow primary pedestrian circulation. Building 1 to be
partially demolished to create a connection to university village and enhances existing university heart.

This ambitious proposal will reposition and reinvent University of Canberra’s role in the future of higher-education
learning in Australia. The Super Concourse will be an iconic symbol for the university. It breathes life into the
existing historical and cultural vessels surrounding the concourse.