“In my proposal for the competition I argued that what is termed “sacred” should not only be applied to places which are obviously religious, but also extended to places of great cultural and spiritual value.”

Interview with Edward Couper
Bachelor of Environments: Architecture Year 3

What inspired you to enter the 13th Annual Berkley Undergraduate Prize for Architectural Design Excellence?

I saw a poster for the prize in the Architecture faculty foyer and was intrigued that the aim of the competition is to look at architecture from a verbal perspective rather than simply a visual one – which has been regarded as particularly lacking in the field. Words can enable us to reach a deeper meaning and share the different kinds of knowing that lies beneath the social fabric of architecture.

Such conversations, active participation and engagement of stakeholders can only lead to better understanding and improved reasoning all round and enable us to make better decisions in the design process.

What did you write about?

The brief for the competition was to find a place that could be termed sacred but was not obviously considered as such. In my proposal for the competition I argued that what is termed “sacred” should not only be applied to places which are obviously religious, but also extended to places of great cultural and spiritual value. I argued that Point Nepean should be preserved for this very reason and demanded increased and diversified use of existing structures, while bringing in  stakeholders such as the indigenous people to reassert their previous dominance of the land. Suggestions included possible themed journeys through the underground forts and an observatory on one of the gun towers.

The many buildings of the quarantine station could also be reused as per the current masterplan which includes a hotel and conference centre. The tracks throughout the site could also be enhanced to promote a more cultural and natural experience. Within the site there lies such a history of our country – from the natural history i.e. the ancient rocky shores, the aboriginal birthing grounds, the point where the early ships would pass one of the most treacherous stretches of water to reach what was once the capital of the country, the place where a Prime Minister disappeared without a trace, and the recent defense barracks and quarantine station – with over a hundred brilliantly preserved buildings. It seems that Point Nepean has always been associated with power or the struggle for power – power over the natural elements, the coming of the early white settlers, the practice ground for soldiers, a place for new arrivals or the ill, the place of death of a Prime Minister and more recently the power struggle between the environmentalists and locals who have been at odds with the State and Federal governments and plans to sell off parts which would undoubtedly be worth millions. It stands as a beacon of our past and its accessibility to all as well as its preservation are vital as our city expands.

What attracted you to explore the Point Nepean area?

I visited Point Nepean National Park a couple of years ago and was struck by both its visual beauty and its diverse history. I saw it has having a huge amount of potential at the time and resolved to keep abreast of changes and developments of the area. When asked by the Prize to investigate a place that could be described as ‘sacred’ but was not normally considered in this way, Point Nepean immediately popped into my head as a candidate for further development and conservation.

Would you encourage other BEnvs or graduate student to enter similar international competitions?

As a semi-finalist in the competition I have received a good deal of exposure and interest. I would highly recommend students get involved in competitions if only for the fact that they push you to apply the skills you have learnt in your degree so far – usually in a broader context – and allow you to put forward a very personal perspective on an issue.

My favourite subjects at uni are:

Historical subjects have always really appealed to me. From architectural history to World War 2 to the history of nature, I love to read and investigate the ideas and motivations of those who came before which give me inspiration for both my design studios and my own personal future directions. The ability to move between such diverse areas is thanks to the breadth subjects of the new generation degrees.

Describe a typical week as a Bachelor of Environments student:

My major is architecture, and there always seems to be the unwritten expectation of long nights and endless journeys of design possibilities. With so many skills and ways of thinking needed to be mastered, the learning curve is steep, but the personal rewards are great. Much of my week is spent in the architecture building, working in the lab, hanging out with friends, or reading in the library, while escaping to nearby Lygon St or the CBD now and then to eat or meet up with friends. While the hours are long, you find that it is the people that share the journey and face the same challenges with you that make it interesting.

The highlight of my experience at Melbourne so far has been:

Being a part of the Melbourne University community has been incredible. From my first year I have been involved in diverse societies and groups such as theatre, AIESEC, kendo, and tennis – including taking on a number of committee positions. The ability to be involved with such a huge range of other students from other backgrounds, faculties and ways of thinking and understanding the world has been very challenging and yet rewarding.

My dream job is:

One day I hope to run my own architectural design practice, while branching out into production design for film and television. I am very interested in new forms of media and technologies which assist with the design process allowing a more tailored outcome to a very complex design brief while also pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

What advice do you have for students considering studying a Bachelor of Environments at Melbourne?

Make the most of your friends (your future colleagues) – give them support and they will return it. Get involved in the greater university community and broaden your horizons – it seems that architects and architecture students can sometimes lead very narrow and focused lives. Sometimes leaving the design world can give you the impetus or inspiration to understand or tackle a new design problem.

Also, make the most of the breadth subjects of the new generation degree – try new and interesting subjects which clash with your desired major and see where they take you. Take a chance to explore a side interest, and it might just end up leading you to find the skill or quality which will diversify you from others in your future career.