Three Victorian students have won the top prize in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 24 hour SuperStudio design competition for 2012.

This year’s SuperStudio brief, curated by Tim Pyke and Mark Raggatt of ARM Architecture, asked students to create a manifesto describing the future of architecture as an artistic and professional pursuit.

Students were then asked to apply these ideas in an installation at both the Venice Biennale and 2013 Australian Architecture Conference in Melbourne.

The winning team included Ben Kazacos (5th Year Landscape Architecture, RMIT), Brock Hogan (5th Year Landscape Architecture, RMIT), and Phoebe Baker-Gabb (4th Year Interior Design, RMIT).

The submitted a video of their installation for the Shifting Sands competition run by the Institute’s Student Organised Network for Architecture (SONA). (scroll down to view the video)

The jury was impressed with the scheme’s breadth of ideas, clarity of expression, and potential for real-life application.

Kazacos (North Melbourne), Baker-Gabb (Richmond) and Hogan’s (Ferntree Gully) scheme advocated for a participatory and sensorial approach to architectural design manifested in a sculptural drawing device and online image uploading system. The scheme was strong in its interest in the aesthetic and experiential.

A still image of the winning submission by Ben Kazacos, Brock Hogan and Phoebe Baker-Gabb.

The team commented: “Entering Super Studio 2012 was a very spontaneous decision for us and as a result our team was a cross-disciplinary mix of students of landscape architecture and interior design.

“Our final design, aptly named Mark, seeks to create architecture that is both personal and collective, specific and general. Mark aims to extend user engagement beyond physical interaction and perhaps beyond the life of the architecture itself.”

SONA President Danny Brookes commented: “We had a hard time deciding the winner; there were some fantastic entries with huge potential. What’s more, students had a great time responding to this year’s brief.”

In 2012, SuperStudio ran simultaneously across the nation, in seven locations, with more than 450 students in attendance. Four commendations were also awarded.

SONA is the student group of the Australian Institute of Architects. Through the promotion of students, SONA aims to develop a culture of leadership and community for the advancement of Australian architecture.

Architecture & Design Team

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