In the final year of their Master of Architecture course, Melbourne School of Design students participate in the Bower Studio subject – giving them the opportunity to help actualise grassroots design work.

The subject sees teams of students travelling to remote and marginalised communities in Australia and Papua New Guinea to consult, design and construct community infrastructure projects.

A recent Bower Studio project at the headquarters for the grassroots community organisation Afri-Aus Care in Springvale was made possible through a gift from the Dyson Bequest, established by Jane and Bruce Dyson.

The Dysons were always passionate about giving back to their communities – with Bruce pursuing a range of community service roles after retiring from his entrepreneurial career and Jane volunteering one day a week at a special needs children’s home in her local area.

Bruce’s nephew, John Dyson, and Jane’s daughter, Rose Gilder, are co-trustees of the Dyson Bequest. John and Rose strive to continue Bruce and Jane’s legacy by seeking to support organisations that take innovative approaches to difficult social issues.

Bower Studio Director and Associate Professor in Architectural Design and Technology Dr David O’Brien says the generous funding from the Dyson Bequest helped purchase building materials for the Springvale project.

O’Brien says the project will go on to have even greater impacts on the community by spurring the development of new ideas.

“The community is looking at getting funding for a new community centre, and so this project has also given them a clear idea about what the architectural possibilities are for the site.

“Things like how to use decoration and colour, how to work with the site sustainably – such as letting in the sun or keeping out the cold – or being able to make better links between the kitchen and the garden. It’s provoked a whole lot of conversations around that which has really helped a community that has never been consulted before about design.”

The gift also allowed the Bower Studio to contribute to shared food while on site – thus enabling the Bower Studio to participate in an important relationship-building custom present throughout many African countries.

14 Master of Architecture students helped build a pergola structure and mural at the Springvale headquarters, providing a space for the community to gather and prepare food from their community garden.

“In Africa … we believe in collectivism; we like to be in a group, sharing food and sharing stories,” says Afri-Aus Care CEO and community leader Selba Gondoza-Luka.

“So, to have this spacious area where we can meet people from different parts of the world and sit together comfortably is very important.”

The Master of Architecture students also benefit from the opportunities made possible through the generosity of the Dyson Bequest.

O’Brien says students felt a sense of satisfaction in being a part of a real-life project that had in instant impact on the local community.

“Within a few days, they managed to make this space that the community use all the time now,” he says.

The students also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in grassroots architecture.
“It’s giving them the confidence and knowledge that architecture is not just cardboard models, keystrokes and a pretty picture on screen – it has impact upon the earth and upon the country.”

Image: Dr David O’Brien and CEO of Afri-Aus Care Selba Gondoza Luka (middle row, third and fourth from right) with Master of Architecture students and community members at the Springvale sit/University of Melbourne.

Clémence Carayol

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