Building Science student win in ArchEngBuild 2017
Master of Building Science student, Sanjeev Ganda was part of the winning team in the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) competition, ArchEngBuild 2017 with their innovative ‘Farm to Table’ community concept.
The competition brings together architecture design, engineering and construction students, asking them to work on a real-life client brief situation to demonstrate the importance of effective cross-disciplinary collaboration. In this year’s competition students considered a fictional experimental village for the New Plymouth Council.
Also in the team with Sajeev, were Annie Tong an architecture student from the University of Auckland and Callum Lamont an engineering student from the University of Auckland.
The team’s entry, Farm to Table, was aimed at those wanting a unique, low-impact lifestyle where fresh produce can be commercialised through the local farmer market, and even internationally.
Sanjeev says, “Our proposed community consisted of multi-storey commercial and residential units where the focus was on the production of fresh produce on site.
“On the ground floor are offices and shared community spaces such as laundries, workshops, education spaces and food harvesting facilities. Housing options ranged from one to three bedroom homes. Our design considered the ability to expand in the future to cater to the growing needs of the community.”
The judges said they were impressed with the environmental, social and cultural considerations shown within the design which showed a real empathy toward Taranaki.
BRANZ CEO Chelydra Percy says collaboration across the industry is vital to promote quality and inspire better buildings.
“We know from previous years students who have taken part come away with a deeper understanding of the roles and intricacies of each other’s disciplines. Our hope is that this sets up the good practise of working together into their future careers and ultimately benefits the wider industry and clients.”
Senior Lecturer Guy Marriage was also involved in the competition, mentoring students.