Three design studios lead by emerging international architects will run from August 1 to 12, 2006. The studios will focus intensively on the question of re-programming the site of Cockatoo Island into a vibrant cultural precinct. Designs, events, media curation, manifestos, installations and performances are just some of the proposals possible.

Each studio will have about 15 participants who are 4th and 5th year architecture students at various universities around Sydney. They will partly take place on the island, and also in the studios of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney. Applications for the studios have already closed, however, interested parties are invited to attend the Final Review of the studio works. This will be held on Cockatoo Island on August 12 from 10am to 5pm, followed by a reception.

These studios represent the first of a series of participatory events as part of the Urban Islands Project. Following the theme of 'generating tactics for cultural engagement', the Urban Islands Project invites proposals for collaborative investigation of similar sites with similar potentials in cities around the world.

Specific information for students participating in the studios >

RE Studio pages >

Responsive Environment is a Tokyo-based collective engaged in spatial expression through collaboration, crossing over diverse boundaries drawn between architecture, image, music, dance and design.   Since its formation in 1993, RE has undertaken a wide range of performances, creation of installation works, and presentations of projects. 'Space' is the mutual term used to collaborate among the members who ordinarily pursue work in separate fields. It is the essential medium in which architects, composers, choreographers and designers all take expression. When sharing views on space, such an interdisciplinary situation forces time and movement to step in as significant factors. Their work attempts to accommodate many factors which trigger a setting to undergo a continuous transfiguration, that is bring forth a Responsive Environment, to offer a common platform where acts of expression tend to emerge.
www.responsiveenvironment.com

JRA Studio pages >

Jaime Rouillon is one of Latin America's most significant emerging architects.  Born in Peru, and now based in Costa Rica, he received his Masters in Architecture from University of Pennsylvania, forming JRA in 1994.  His firm's work includes urban, rural and coastal residences, offices, office buildings and hotels, all expressed via an architecture of celebration, of both the region and the rationale.  JRA's work derives its conceptual strength from site and climate, a persistent personal search for expressionist freedom and a rigorous pursuit of craftsmanship in the built works. He received the 1st prize at the 1996 and 2002 Costa Rican Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.  He has taught at Universidad Veritas and Universidad del Diseño in San Jose, and is also a permanent collaborator at Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo de Costa Rica.
www.rouillonarquitectura.com

IS.Ar Studio pages >

Lisa Iwamoto and Craig Scott describe their work as an attempt to "balance exploration in digital processes and media modelling of prototypes, and hands-on material research with investigations into perceptual and experimental phenomena." They develop their designs with laser cut and digital models, material studies and more traditional handmade models and renderings. IS.Ar: IwamotoScott was formed in 1998 and is located in Berkeley, California. Lisa is Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Department of Architecture, Berkeley University, and Craig currently teaches at California College of Arts and Crafts. Their honors and awards include: the 2002 Architectural League of New York Young Architects Award: Material Process; and First Prize in the Flemington Jewish Community Center design competition. IS.Ar's work has been published in Architectural Record, Competitions, the New York Times, I.D. Magazine, Journal for Architectural Education, Dimensions, and APPENDX.