Building a landmark
by Vincent Ciccarello
As
the Landmark building is taking shape on North Terrace, so too are three
undergraduate projects focused on its construction.
They are still a little way from graduating but four UniSA students are already donning hard hats to go to work. Martin Ho, Bill Harding, Daniel Keller and Anthony Gagliardi are all using the construction of the Landmark building as the subject of their final year projects, thanks to a special collaboration between project managers Built Environs and UniSA.
With the help of supervisor Dr Brian Kirke, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the Sustainable Energy Centre, the students are looking for solutions to real world problems in the areas of mechanical engineering, civil/structural engineering and construction management.
"Built Environs approached UniSA suggesting we might be able to engage undergraduates in some aspects of Landmark’s construction," Kirke said.
The company is sponsoring the collaboration by paying for costs incurred by the projects.
"From Built Environs’ point of view, it gives them a look at some bright, up-and-coming graduates and they’re always on the hunt for good staff.
"UniSA also stands to benefit because we’re keen to find significant projects to involve our final year students. So it’s a win-win situation."
Kirke’s point of contact with Built Environs is Dwaine Bickerdike, project manager and UniSA construction management graduate.
"It’s a bit ironic to study the degree at UniSA and then to actually be involved as a project manager on Landmark. But it’s nice," Bickerdike said, adding that Built Environs’ contact with students isn’t limited to the undergraduate projects.
"We’ve also had architecture students and interior designers involved and construction management students on site on a number of occasions. It’s a good thing because it gives them involvement with the project as well."
Bickerdike said his own undergraduate course was focused on the nexus between university learning and industry.
"I think it’s critical," he said. "It aligns academic purposes with commercial realities. It’s an opportunity for the students to see what happens in real life."
While the current projects will be completed by the end of this year, other student projects will monitor aspects of the building’s performance beyond the official opening in early 2007.