Leighton Beach will become a design studio for 180 first year architecture and landscape students from The University of Western Australia when they form teams to test their skills in building unusual ‘sandcastles'.

Their assignment is to build 3D structures in which to perform an action such as standing, sitting or reclining, while taking into account their structures' relationship to the light, shadow, contour development and the quality of the sand.

"How are spatial hierarchies - from private to public - achieved?  How can inside and outside be characterised and how can a relationship between them be achieved?  These are some of the problems the students are encouraged to consider," architect Dr Ursa Rosner, senior lecturer in UWA's Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, says.

At 2pm a jury will rank their efforts at manipulating sand and space and money raised by the event's sponsors will fund a teaching and research project for Indigenous Spatial Design.  Members of the public are invited to attend.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY (weather permitting)

WHAT:           The students will be able to be filmed/photographed working on their ‘sandcastles'.

WHEN:           9.00am - 3.30pm Tuesday, May 13

WHERE:        Leighton Beach, near Leighton Surf Club

Media references

Dr Ursa Rosner  61 8  6488 2582  /  0408 939 062
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  61 8  6488 5563  /  0432 637 716