Architecture and construction students from the University of Newcastle will leave their mark on the way their university will look into the future as their 'centrepiece' design is placed on exhibition.
Following a student-led design project delivered in partnership with industry, a new public gathering space integrating Newcastle's First Nations' and industrial heritage will become a centrepiece of the University's city student accommodation in Honeysuckle.
Eighteen masters and third year students in architecture and construction management took part in the Turntable Plaza Elective.
Their final design, developed over a 10-day intensive program, will form part of the new student accommodation building set to open in 2027.
Their design has now been brought to life at an exhibition at Q Building through sketches, virtual reality and 3D models.
Third year architecture student Sarah Hurley took part in the two-week intensive, and was on the team that curated the exhibition.
The mother of three said she gained valuable experience into how to work in a studio setting.
"Doing special projects like this are fun, they're hands on and it's an efficient way to knock over a whole program in two weeks," she said.
"It's also so special to design something that is going to be built in the real world," she said.
"I can't wait to see it being put together.
"I hope one day my boys are at uni and I can say to them 'see that, I contributed to that' and tell them the story behind it," she said.
"The exhibition shows the process from the chaotic first sketches to how we refined and refined to get to the end result, which will be presented as a 3D model."
Students had just 10 days in a mock studio environment to develop and present their concept to the University and industry partners, taking into consideration budget, ongoing maintenance, safety and security and the broader City Campus master plan.
The student accommodation site is home to the historic Honeysuckle Point Locomotive Turntable, one of the last remaining in-situ railway relics in Newcastle, dating back to 1856.
It is also a deeply significant place for Awabakal and Worimi people, with thousands of stone artefacts and shell middens uncovered and recorded as part of an archaeological survey of the site.
The final design integrates curved clustered seating in the shape and texture of stone artifacts and shell middens, while a large canopy shaped to resemble a fish-hook will create shade throughout the day.
Paving and brickwork, designed by project landscape architects Arcadia, represent the original shoreline and the historic Turntable and original train lines.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said programs such as this gave students invaluable skills that prepared them for the workplace.
"Our University's programs build real world experience, preparing our students for life, not just for jobs," said Professor Zelinsky.
"This elective presented an incredible opportunity for our students to engage directly with industry while contributing to one of the University's real-world infrastructure projects.
"It's exactly the kind of practical learning that builds confidence as students transition into the workforce, giving them hands-on, industry-relevant skills, while contributing meaningfully to a project they can see come to life."
