Mitchell Shire Bushfire Memorial

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: In 2009 the 'Black Sunday' bushfires killed 173 people and destroy 2000 homes in Melbourne's north-eastern fringe. Urban Initiatives Landscape Architectures and Mitchell Shire Council commissioned the researchers to design six memorial placques to the disaster. The three-stage project had a budget of about $11,000. The researchers had to: explore and generate digital and physical terrian model rapid prototypes of the memorials for community consultation; explore digital and physical terrain model rapid prototypes to allow the fabrication of the bronze memorials; and develop the geographical and historical data that would be cast onto the memorials. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: The project, which drew on the work of Professors Gramazio and Kohler (ETH Zurich) examined the integration of precise digital data modelling with innovative rapid prototyping mateiral fabrication technologies. The researchers made physical prototypes through an iterative process that allowed the community to visualise, comprehend, test and inform the design. The community was part of the design process and they helped capture and translate complex data that was cast into the memorials. This process also integrated construction into the design process, uniting elements that historically have been separated. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: The six bronze memorials (selected images attached), designed by the three researchers, have now been built. Aside from peer review via commission, the significance of this research is demonstrated by the way the unique process allowed the community to engage in the design process. In this way, the design of the memorial contributed to the healing process. The design and construction of the memorials received coverage in local newspapers (selected file attached) and this is a measure of the importance of these structures to the residents.