Powerhouse Parramatta, Western Sydney University (WSU) and Holdmark celebrated the launch of the inaugural WSU Urban Transformation Summer School in February co-hosted by WSU’s Chair of Architecture, Professor Paul Sanders and Professor Mike Kagiolou, Dean of Engineering, Design and Built Environment.
Held annually, the Summer School will immerse students into architecture, urban design and transformation of the built form. Engaging with a Western Sydney local council on a real-world design, engineering and architecture challenge, students will generate solutions under guidance of academics and industry leaders.
Students and attendees of the launch heard from industry leaders including, Powerhouse Parramatta architects – Nicolas Moreau, Hiroko Kusunoki (Moreau Kusunoki), Steven Toia (Genton), architects Nicolas Bandounas (Scott Carver), Abbie Galvin (NSW State Architect) and urban planners Kelly van der Zanden (City of Parramatta) and Hannah Slater (Arup).
Speeches focused on the importance and impact of good urban design and provided students with key advice as they head into a week of intensive industry workshops.
This year’s program focused on the City of Parramatta, with students investigating, analysing, and finding solutions to local design challenges. Student workshops continued for a week with students presenting their final solutions last Friday.
The summer school program was established by a $10 million investment in Powerhouse Parramatta by Sarkis Nassif, founder and Chief Executive of Holdmark Property Group. The extraordinary commitment will support the establishment of the Holdmark Gallery and a new biennial exhibition focusing on innovation in design, engineering, and architecture. Read more about the Holdmark investment here.
