Griffith University’s Nathan Campus is surrounded by luscious Australian bushland with various animals who call the Toohey Forest their home. The campus itself provides a space where students can learn and socialise with each other. However, students have noted that the campus lacked a place where they sit down and relax as well as restricting their interactions with nature. After conducting background research, we have come up with a solution to this problem with a space design.
The purpose behind our design is to provide students a space that would act like a retreat for them while giving them a chance to learn about the surrounding plants as well as connecting the campus to the forest. On the ground, there will be multiple timbers boxes in various sizes. These boxes would form clusters around the space and would hold certain edible plants. These plants will have little signs on them so that students can learn their names, their uses and maintenance requirements. Among these boxes would also be hanging netted nooks where students can lay down and socialise with their friend groups. These netted nook boxes can be moved around to accommodate larger or smaller groups. One of the box clusters will hold a small water feature that will flow into a small pond.
To provide shading, a mirror canopy will be placed over the box clusters in various curved shapes and different levels. These canopies will have holes in them to provide room for certain trees to grow and will have the ability to collect rainwater that will be used to water the plants. The main purpose of having these canopies at different levels is to draw more attention towards the space.
This project is designed with my friends Kathleen Schultz and Kelly-Jane Nou.
