the Various Applications of Sustainability in the Junkspace

The student project Building in the ‘Junkspace’ is an exercise in thinking through the various applications of sustainability – both in built materials and landscape interventions. This is a celebration of sustainable initiatives and interventions, looking at ways in which to recycle material, create art form, reduce carbon impacts to the environment, create both innovative and accessible interior and exterior useable space, increase biodiversity, and educate and increase awareness of the current state of our planet.

While the graphics on this project are impressive, it is the idea expressed here that has warranted the student award. We do not expect, or even want students too hung up on the impediments of urban design, or too focussed on pricing. What we want our students doing is getting excited about design; pushing the envelope on their ideas and beginning a commentary on the current nature of design and the priorities we promote in our profession. Fresh eyes are valuable tools and encourage less biased conversations.

Beyond that, while there would be some safety issues, this is an interesting idea that promotes better connection and movement in the city, and it does so at a location that could use some better and more defined pedestrian connections. The materiality is reminiscent of culverts, which feels good as a design decision, given what they are doing. Altogether a straight-forward project, that is not trying to do too much, and then matching with an interesting materiality and orientation. It is a great starting point in which all aspects of design are considered through a sustainable lens, and the ideas should be pushed further in the context of a thesis project.

Project Information

Tess Macpherson, Kavita Garg

Visualization: Tess Macpherson, Kavita Garg