UON will soon have a few more special places on campus for students to enjoy. Leanne Elliott tells us more.
Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses will soon be beautified with the Design-a-Place Maker winning entry, titled ‘The Journey’. The collection of sandstone sculptures, designed by fifth-year architecture students, Laurance Low Wen Jieh, Meixin Du, and Pau Jin Wei, is a visual representation of the “enriching journey” the students have had while studying at UON.
Described as a “unique and playful interpretation on the University logo”, the sculptures also capture core UON values of: equity, excellence, engagement and sustainability. “The winning design needed to visually reflect the University’s values and provide a sense of arrival and inspiration for gathering, sharing photos and celebrating occasions from our campuses,” said UON’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO.
UON Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO with Laurance Low Wen Jieh. Image by: Eddie O’Reilly, UON Marketing and Comms.
There was also a refreshing message from the winning students who agree it is about giving back. “We were keen to enter the competition because we wanted to give back to the university that gave us so much,” said Laurence.
“Students should think not only what we acquire from the university, but also what can we give back,” agrees Meixin.
As part of the competition process, collaboration with Indigenous artists will assist in integrating “a cultural overlay into the finished product”. Cultural connection is a significant part of UON, and, to build on the sense of culturally connected place-making the university has called for expressions of interest from all nations across NSW to help the competition winners expand the winning design.
“It makes sense for us to involve students in creating our environments on campus – it’s where they study and socialise and it’s these spaces that will leave a lasting impression of university life,” said Professor Zelinsky.
But wait, there’s more! UONs graduation walk, which is surrounded by natural bush gardens, will also be beautified with another competition entry, titled ‘Shifting Perspectives’, by students Chloe Goldsmith and Callum Coombe.
So, next time you are at Callaghan or Ourimbah, keep an eye out for these visual pleasures around campus.
Feature Image Description: UON Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO with winning students from the Design-A-Place Marker competition. Pictured with the VC are Laurance Low Wen Jieh (stripes) Meixin Du (aka Delores, white pants) Pau Jin Wei (black shirt) Chloe Goldsmith (yellow circle t-shirt) Callum Coombe (olive shirt) and Senior Lecturer Dr Beth George (long jacket, pink shoes) representing the faculty.
Feature Image Details: Taken in the Architecture Design Studio, Friday October 30, by Eddie O’Reilly, UON Marketing and Comms.
NB: Images part of the University of Newcastle Media Release package, 10 November 2020.
