Q3. Tell us about the Upcycled Bicycle Exhibition.

Well this was a fun project for us. It was one of the 5 projects that we did for design in the 2nd year and it was done for the SLIA annual exhibition 2020.

The purpose of it is to promote architectural education to the general public by showcasing the work of students. So we as students were trying unique ways of design to give a timely message to the society rather than making it just a beautiful exhibition pavilion.

All of us came to a conclusion to use bicycle parts to bring a different character to the space, with the concept of promoting sustainability and healthy living. The design will included bicycles and bicycle wheels as facades.

The panels and architectural models that exhibited student work were rotatable. We used the mechanisms that were seen in bicycles and communicated that trough a suspended sculpture which allowed user interaction.The bicycles also add aesthetic value because they act as sculptural elements.

Therefore the project goes along with the main theme of the exhibition which is art in architecture. We also tried elaborate other themes such as connectivity and mobility. What was interesting about this project it gave us an insight within the construction industry and provided all students the personal experience to work as a team on time and on budget.

Made using 54 bicycles, 25 chains, 23 pedals, 98 gears, 22girls, 12 boys, 2 dedicated year coordinators, weeks of missed sleep and a very special ginger tea. Similar to a ripple effect.

We hope the ideas we are trying to promote will have the same result I’m running out of time. On a site visit, you know architectures all about travelling and getting inspired.