18 April 2012
Alumnus wins travel scholarship
Matthew Hamilton, a graduate from the Master of Landscape Architecture at RMIT University, has received the 2011 HASSELL Robin Edmond Travelling Scholarship.
Using a rail line to cross one of Jakarta’s canals to access a local kampong (urban village).
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The award, now in its 21st year, recognises landscape architecture students who show outstanding potential for future contribution to the profession.
An international design practice with 14 studios in Australia, China, south-east Asia and the United Kingdom, HASSELL aims to support the excellence of universities that train the leading landscape architects of the next generation through the Robin Edmond Travelling Scholarship.
Mr Hamilton was awarded the scholarship by the landscape architecture discipline leaders from the practice’s Australian studios, who praised his project: “The Jak Mania – (Re)designing cities through slums”.
By immersing himself in the mega-city of Jakarta, Indonesia, Mr Hamilton sought to investigate new models of urban design through an understanding and appreciation of existing human relationships at a number of selected sites within the city.
The judges found his research and analysis of the interaction between environment and human activity was both thorough and compassionate in its response, and were impressed by his imaginative approach to storytelling through text and graphics.
“The design outcomes were radical yet practical; initiated through a desire to fully embrace the needs of the local population,” the judges said.
Mr Hamilton said he was delighted to win the award and planned to further his research by implementing some of the design ideas on the ground in Jakarta.
He paid tribute to RMIT academics and graduating landscape students for their support during his studies.
“Charles Anderson, Bridget Keane, Marieluise Jonas and head of the 2011 Master program, Craig Douglas, all gave me the encouragement to push my project and I can’t thank them enough. The Landscape Architecture student team will go on to do amazing things.”
Mr Douglas commended Mr Hamilton on his win. “Matt worked incredibly hard in his last year and his high standard of work reflects this.
“He has a passion for making a difference in very challenging urban environments and we wish him well with his career.”
Exploring hybrid rail typologies through section.
The Jak Mania’s Mobile Bike School.
