Provocative designs at UTS Architecture graduate show

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Provocative designs at UTS Architecture graduate show


Sydneysiders will get a sneak peak at the "look of the future" at Provocation - an exhibition of state-of-the-art and revolutionary designs by the University of Technology, Sydney's newest architecture graduates. The exhibition opens at 6pm on Wednesday 13 December at the UTS Gallery, Level 4 of the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building (Peter Johnson Building), 702-730 Harris St, Ultimo. According to Prof Sandra Kaji-O'Grady, Head of the School of Architecture, Provocation recognises that work done at university is free of the constraints often imposed by the business pragmatics of professional practice, and as such, the freedom to experiment provokes new ways of thinking architecturally. "Provocation also indicates that architecture is a vocation, a 'calling' for which one is especially gifted or chosen. However, vocational training is directed at developing expertise in particular techniques, and so through the exhibition, we explore the distinction between vocation and vocational training," she said. Having felt the "call" of architecture from a young age is Jessica MacDonald, whose concept for a new visitors' centre at Peru's Machu Picchu certainly exhibits the freedom of creativity and the emphasis on design which is a feature of the UTS course. "The design springs from the analysis of local ideologies embodied in Machu Picchu and the understanding of a tourist who attempts to discover authenticity but typically does so through the lens of a camera," explains Ms MacDonald. "If built on the site, the conceptual visitors' centre would focus tourists on to the historic site through a variety of vistas, creating an interaction between the visitor, the building and the landscape. "My project was really borne from the opportunities available to me at UTS, as the new design focus combined with access to the latest technologies have really shown what is possible in creating new built environments. "Furthermore, a chance to undertake a study tour in Peru gave me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and experience other cultures. These have all made this course incredible," said MacDonald. Tuesday 28 November 2006