Designing a sustainable future

A group of architects who designed an award-winning women’s centre in Africa will give a series of lectures and workshops sponsored by UQ this week.

The project began in 1996 as a cultural exchange between Helsinki University in Finland, and the community of Rufisque, Senegal, and has since been recognised around the world as a example of socially responsible and sustainable design.

Professor Brit Andresen from the University’s School of Planning, Geography and Architecture said the centre was created to help local women support each other and their families.

She said the community were involved in every step of the building’s creation, with materials such as car wheel rims and glass bottles integrated into its design.

The remarkable construction process is documented in a free exhibition entitled Jigeen yi mbooloo – Women Together, which will be on display at the State Library from next week.

Before the exhibition opens, interested members of the public are invited to hear two of the architects behind the project speak at a free lecture this Thursday the 10th of May at 6.15pm.

This will be followed on Friday, May 11 with a symposium of key industry speakers and a workshop for architecture students co-sponsored by UQ and the Queensland University of Technology.

“Those involved will learn from the project that working inter-culturally demands extra commitment, endurance, resourcefulness, imagination, empathy and creativity,” Professor Andresen said.

She said the University was proud to support the series of events, which would demonstrate to students how their skills can be harnessed to help others.

“Architects working to help the underprivileged understand the significance of quality in design for experiencing suitability, usability, beauty, dignity and well being.

“As a result of inter-cultural collaboration between women working for other women, the Women's Centre in in Senegal is a fine example of culturally, environmentally, and socially sustainable architecture.”

Media: Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)