Sky's the limit for architecture student

Architecture

A University of Adelaide student's plans for suburban Adelaide have won her recognition all the way from America.

Sky Allen received an Honour in the Analysis and Planning section of the American Society of Landscape Architects' 2005 Student Awards.

The final-year student from the University's School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design was the only finalist from outside of North America.

Her project, titled Urban Infrastructure Strategy: Phased Neighbourhood Retrofit, puts forward the possibilities for the Bowden-Brompton area in Adelaide for the next 50 years.

"The area is close to the city, and while it is currently quite industrial, its location and underused land means it is likely to be embraced as a more residential location in the near future," Sky said.

"I think it is important for landscape architects to be involved in the evolution of areas like this and to come up with active uses for public recreation areas including permaculture, or considered for multiple uses, rather than just recreation or car-parks.

"It's also important to look at creating new public spaces as an area moves from industrial to mixed use."

Sky's lecturer, Mr Gale Fulton, encouraged students to enter the competition in order to get an idea of where their work sat in relation to other students.

"I entered my final project for the landscape architecture degree, which is a studio where we are given the opportunity to push an agenda or area of personal interest," she said.

"I'm really interested in the challenges of retrofitting and renewing urban areas, and the challenges of managing their evolution."

Sky is doing a double degree in Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Across this semester, she will complete her architecture final project, where she has zoomed in on an industrial property in the Bowden-Brompton area for detailed design.

Upon completion of her degree, Sky will take up a graduate position with Brisbane City Council.

"Brisbane City Council has one million residents - it is one council the size of the whole of Adelaide," she said.

"During my two years there, working as a landscape architect, I will get to work across a variety of projects, putting into practice the theories I have learned while studying at University of Adelaide. I'm really excited."

Story by Lisa Reid