Imaginative visions for the future of Sydney and innovative designs from students in the Faculty of Built Environment are on display at the LuminoCITY exhibition opened by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore. 

The largest exhibition of its type in Australia, LuminoCITY showcases the works of graduating students from all program areas in the faculty.

Ms Moore was full of praise for the wide ranging and surprising architectural ideas and designs as she toured the exhibition.

“The works I have seen are terrific and it is great that these futuristic designs and ideas are being shown in this wonderful old wooden building which has seen so much change over the years in Sydney,” Ms Moore told the 200 people who attended the opening.

“I think it is a wonderful concept to bring together all the streams of study in the faculty into one exhibition as cooperation is the key to achieving improvements in the city we live in.

“It is critical work you are doing here,” she told the graduating students.

“You are the agents of change. I regard designers and builders as essential partners in the city – and that is what you are demonstrating here.”

Ms Moore said growing and vibrant cities like Sydney need bold and creative approaches to shape the city and what was on show at LuminoCITY proved there was a bright future.

Faculty Dean Professor Alec Tzannes said UNSW was number one in Australia in the disciplines it taught – architectural studies, architectural computing, interior architecture, landscape architecture, planning, sustainable development, construction management and property, industrial design, and urban development and design.   

“It is a great achievement that 85 per cent of our graduates find jobs in their chosen fields within six months of entering the work force,” Professor Tzannes said.

“UNSW graduates are equipped to go on and work anywhere in the world and will shape the cities of tomorrow.”

On display are everything from cave hotels on the islands of Sydney harbour to groundbreaking ideas in industrial design such as a robocop-style police helmet, a remote controlled toy for home-alone dogs and a solar car for the city.

Among the exhibits are bold interior architectural designs for Goat Island and revitalisation of the shipbuilding dockyards of Cockatoo Island. Landscape architecture students proposed a reshaping of Woolloomooloo.

LuminoCITY is at Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay and runs until November 22. The exhibition is free and open to the public. See the full list of events here.

Media contact: Frank Walker, UNSW Media Office, 0417 090 346