Slavco Dragan Jovanoski
Bachelor of Environments: Architecture

I chose the Bachelor of Environments because I wanted to be exposed to various other disciplines before finally deciding if architecture was the right career path for my future.

I decided to major in Architecture because I have had a lifelong passion for drawing and always sought creative, helpful and constructive outlets to apply this passion for the benefit of communities I will be working  with in the future.

My favourite subjects were the Design Studios, I enjoyed all of them because they allowed a lot of freedom when it came to critical decisions. It was appealing because I was able to produce my own outcome/vision without it being pre-determined for me.

To me, studying at the University of Melbourne means that I was preparing myself professionally, to learn to utilise my passion into a useful skill-set and then to constantly refine them. Then upon competition to be able compete in the industry competitively.

My advice to new students is do not rush, there will be plenty of time. Other than just course work it is important to get involved with the University’s community, try to make friend’s beyond your course and make the most of every second of your education. Also take the time to explore other disciplines and see if your chosen career path is the one truly for you, and that your passion and inspirations for it are strong enough to get you through. Architecture isn’t something to be taken up lightly, it is a lot of work, but if you genuinely enjoy it that wouldn’t bother you as much and that will give you a competitive edge over others that are not inspired by their work.

I am looking forward to pursuing part-time work in the short term, and perhaps get involved in large commercial projects and expose myself to many different roles while I study at the University of Melbourne. In the long-term I hope to open my own practice, after many years of experience in the field.

The BEnvs helped prepare me for putting my career ambitions into perspective, what can I expect within the industry, what can I expect of myself, and helped me develop a skill-set unique to the field of architecture.

Five words that sum me up are young, hardworking and very ambitious.

My personal motto is the journey is more important than the destination, so take your time to enjoy it, but never give up on your dreams.

SLAVCO IS NOW DOING GRADUATE STUDY

I chose to do graduate study in Architecture because undergraduate study only put everything into perspective for me, now I need to refine what I have learnt in a more professional manner.

It’s different studying at graduate level because expectations are higher of you, the work gets a bit harder and there is a lot more of it than in the undergraduate degree. So it is challenging, and time management becomes more important, but still the course is enjoyable.

In my Masters I am looking forward to working on a multi-disciplinary level in some projects. It would be an interesting experience to see how they interact and organise themselves to produce a final product. It would be a better indication of what I could expect in the industry and how to interact with various other professionals from many fields.

What inspires me at Uni is that I believe that architecture of today has the chance to make a great contribution to society, and to study about it and prepare myself for this industry at a more professional level, excites me that I can be part of the bigger picture of the shifting changes the world is currently undergoing.

DESIGN STATEMENT

The Meta- Doll Theatre is situated on the corner of Rathdowne Street and Faraday Street, a prominent area, and the original setting of the play more than 50 years ago. Hence why I have included a rooftop theatre, to show the audience the time and place these events took place and the values of the time, an overview for the audience to the Carlton landscape. The Doll Room is situated on the first floor so that as patrons go past they are struck by its presence and are aware of it being the driving force of the ship, in a setting that appears to be religious, perhaps so for someone such as Olive. As they experience the play and near the end, the auditorium’s seating will elevate itself onto the roof via a large hydraulic system,  symbolising the escalating events of the play. They would be exposed to the varying special lighting effects of the arms on the exterior, different lights flashing in various colours depending on characters moods and actions.

But the most symbolic act of all is when Roo destroys the doll, the very same doll that was on display in the Doll Room, at this point the arms are full outstretched and separated and symbolising that nothing is going to be the same forever, and the parting of ways.

Upon returning down from the roof, patrons would notice the doll is gone, the doll room would be duller and silent, showing them that the doll that was at the bridge of this ship, driving Olives dream forward was the very same one Roo destroyed and that dream, and this ship no longer has a captain and it won’t be going anywhere again.

The Meta-Doll Theatre is both representative of the future of theatre design and the symbolism present in the Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. Named the “Meta” theatre because of its ability to change its form and movability, drawing inspiration and taking elements from popular sci-fi designs, this theatre is designed to give a unique experience to the beholder. It functions like a ship, the Doll Room is located at the bridge, housing the doll to be used in the play.

The doll is symbolic because despite its innocent looks it was the very reminder and traditional element to Olive’s delusional dream, constantly driving it the thought forward. The mechanical arms of the theatre are represent the traditional sugar cane mills in Queensland, where Roo and Barnie would come down to Carlton for the layoff season, symbolising their presence within the Carlton landscape and society. Each mechanical arm has a distinct pattern representing each of the five main characters, Roo, Barnie, Olive, Bubba whom their mechanical arms move, symbolising that once a unified friendship is bound to split apart. Only Pearl’s arm remains fixed with a giant wheel at its base, symbolising that despite being a temporary character within the setting (a guest) she is the most stable and consistent character.