PROJECT TIMELINE

WEEK 8 INTRODUCTION 

- Lecture: Welcome to Action Research Studio 

- Identifying an area of interest 

- Researching societal and humanitary problems 

WEEK 9 RESEARCH STAGE 

- Lecture: Reading the Literature Critically 

- Study: CRAAP Guidelines 

- Researching credible articles written by experts 

- Articulating the issues around theory and practice 

- Selecting a topic: Student Cultural Facility in Brisbane 

WEEK 10 RESEARCH STAGE + SCHEMATIC DESIGN 

- Lecture: The Pitcher Poster 

- Study: Chicago 17 (author-date) referencing system     

- Presentation design of the Pitcher Poster    

- Survey design essentials + Interview skills 

- Researching student cultural facilities in Australia and other countries 

- Mindmapping, creating diagrams, sketching, note taking 

WEEK 11 SCHEMATIC DESIGN 

- Lecture: Preparing the Pitcher Poster 

- Researching more academic literature   

- Designing the page layout of the poster 

- Working on abstract, background, examplars, creative exploration, 

other methods, design brief and solution 

WEEK12 PRESENTATION 

- Presenting the Pitcher Poster to the class 

- Revising and developing initial ideas 

WEEK 13 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 

- Developing creative strategy to resolve brief requirements 

- Refining and developing initial ideas 

- Ilustrating exterior + interior look of the facility 

- Working on the functionality and aesthetic of the design 

WEEK 14 PRESENTATION + DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 

- Preliminary presentation 

- Study: Presentation tips 

- Writing a written report (1000 words) 

- Working on the submission requirements 

WEEK 15 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION 

- Working on the submission requirements 

- Finalising the plans and construction drawings 

- Rendering the 3D perspectives of the student facility 

WEEK 16 FINAL PRESENTATION

ABSTRACT + PROBLEM

There are a number of student society systems and student union organizations in Australia. However, there is no proper student cultural facility which provides a safe and welcoming space for both the local and international students in Brisbane, Australia. According to Norton (2018), In 2016, 391,500 international students were enrolled with Australian higher education providers. After a slowdown between 2010 and 2013, international student numbers recovered to reach a new peak in 2018 (p.27). The internationalization of Australian higher education has been one of the most successful initiatives in the implementation of cross-cultural matters. However, HellstÈn (2002) argued that there are a number of stereotypes leading to false assumptions made about students from other countries concerning cross-cultural integration. (p.8) This is to say, there is a need for societal and cultural harmony between the local and international students in Australia. Moreover, there is a lack of a space where these students could hang out and spent their time wisely. Based on the observation, many students do not have a safe and ideal space to relax and socialize in Brisbane, therefore there are still lost students or teenagers who cause problems on the street. There is a need for an ideal space where the students could stay safe, socialize, learn, and be supported by society. 

BACKGROUND

Student facilities such as student organizations are designed to provide services that support students in their quest to be successful in university and thus complete their degrees. Laden (2011) argued that if students feel a sense of community and are involved on campus outside the classroom, they are more likely to graduate (p.5). Student union facilities have served as the hub of college campuses for over 100 years. In the past decade, there has been a surge in new facilities and major renovations. Student unions, also known as student centers, have historically served to support student involvement and contribute to the overall environment of community, but the pathways to achieving this goal have continued to expand and develop.   Most international students want to make friends in Australia, not all could get the level of social interaction that they are seeking. One reason why international students find it difficult to make friends with Australian students is that Australian students often have existing networks of friends, and see little benefit in spending the time to get to know international students. Lawson (2012) argues that to encourage international and domestic students to participate in activities organized by community-based organizations, it is important to consider how these activities and events are advertised and promoted (p.20). The promotion must encourage both international and domestic students to participate. The ability of international education to provide a more multicultural environment is significantly profitable. Deloitte (2018) stated that multiculturalism can remove other barriers to employment, such as vulnerability to exploitation, racism, discrimination and intolerance. For Australian students, greater cultural awareness through interactions with international students helps to develop meaningful cultural capital such as human capital, helps to improve individuals’ productivity in the workplace and their ability to meaningfully contribute to the community (p.53). Social harmony among students in Australia is significant because enhancements in the cultural capital of Australian domestic students can contribute to the development of a generation of globally engaged citizens who will help to enhance international relations and and the overall globalisation of Australia’s economy and broader society. 

DESIGN BRIEF + SOLUTION

The objective of the project is building a student cultural facility for domestic and international university students at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane, Australia. The designer is designing both the exterior and interior of the student cultural facility. Roma Street Parkland is a safe area located in the Brisbane city. The site is also close to major universities and student accommodations so it is convenient for students to get there. It is a sustainable three story building and the facilities include snack bar, lounge, meeting rooms, chill out area, library, game room and outdoor cinema on the rooftop. The main purpose of the project is to create a social harmony among domestic and international students. The researcher has noticed that there is no safe and comfortable place in the city where the students could hang out. It is a problem because many students dring alcohol and do drugs out of boredom. Students could come to the center and do something profitable for them instead of doing those bad things or wasting their time. The facility is open to all students. To attract the students, there would be social events and cultural programs which would be supported by the government.

CASE STUDIES 2 - DESIGN INSPIRATIONS

The researcher got inspired from office designs. Case studies include sketches, design concept, project information, materials and finishes and furniture and lighting selections. 

1. Bianca Tema Office Design

2. LK RIGI + KAI LIO Office Design  

OTHER METHODS

INTERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT 

“There is a noticeable segregation between international and domestic students, as I attended my first contact class, I could see the divide. The domestic students were mainly sitting on their own at one half of the class while the international students formed cliques based on their nationality. Even during group discussion it can be observed that conversations happen mainly between people of the same nationality.” - Ku Yu Kai, (University of Queensland; Bachelor Of IT Major in Information System)

SECONDARY RESEARCH USER TESTING - BRAND NAME

The initial brand name of the business was Stuiety which stands for Student and Society. The brand name changed after discussing with the lecturer because it is difficult to pronounce it and is not user friendly. The researcher wrote down the lists of the possible brand names and asked both domestic and international university students for feedback. 

The new name of the business is Unicity; 'uni' denotes university and 'city' denotes the location of the student center in the city. 

REFERENCES

1 Cameron. “Managing Culture Shock for First Year International Students Entering
Australian Universities.”
School of Psychology University of South Australia Key Researcher, (2010): 2

2 Norton. “Mapping Australian Higher Education 2018.” Grattan Institute Higher Education
Program Director, (2018): 27

3 Oliver. “Undergraduate Student Employment and its Effect on Graduates.”
Department of Industrial Relations Doctor of Philosophy at Griffith University, (2007): 65

4 HellstÈn. “Students in transition: Needs and Experiences of International Students in
Australia.” Associate Professor in International and Comparative Education, (2002): 3-8

5 Laden. “Student Satisfaction and Perception of Value with a New Student Union Facility.”
Dissertation Advisor, (2011): 1-5

6 Lawson. “Student Voices: Enhancing the Experience of International Students in
Australia.”
Australian Education International Advisor, (2012): 18-20

7 Deloitte. “The value of international education to Australia.”
Australian Rre-eminent Economics Advisory member, (2018): 53