“Choose a sheet metal product and use your imagination to design an original, well articulated entry statement to Leederville campus”.
This is the challenge Central TAFE lecturer in Building Drafting and Design, Shelley Brasher, puts to students twice a year.
Partnering with the Perth office of Fielders, a national sheet metal production company, Shelley drives the bi-annual competition.
“It's an opportunity for students, all in their last year of study, to present a technical report and sample of their design work to industry and get some ‘real world’ feedback and opinion”, says Shelley.
“Similarly, industry groups get to see what sort of skills and training our students are getting."
Shelley instructs students to design a specific structure using an industry product, which is assessed by the College and people in the business.
“In this particular case, students explore metal products and think through how they can use sheet metal to shape and structure a relevant Entry Statement to their campus.
“I encourage them to consider issues of distinctiveness, something eye-catching, making a first impression and having a purpose, including social and environmental.
“Designs need to be deliberate, functional and well explained. So, when students incorporate a given aspect, they need to explain what and why.
“The main basis for the assessment is preparing a top quality technical report,” said Shelley.
A panel comprised of staff from Fielders and Central TAFE choose a selection of work and award various certificates.
First prize recently went to Jared Greenham. He explains his design.
“My entry statement is constructed of VM dark grey, pre-weathered Anthra-Zinc New Generation wall cladding and five concrete tilt pillars. It’s a visually strong and confronting structure, though a fairly a simple and lineal design,” he said.
“Whether it was accepted or rejected by the passer-by, it would be an icon of the place it represents. The five pillars symbolise people, alertness and activity. I made them different heights to reflect people are different. Being ‘upright’ in structure, they also reflect consistency and things in common."
Jared said his structure was physically strong and built to last, requiring little maintenance and would hold its style for years.