Our school, industry and community
The School of Architecture and Built Environment maintains strong connections with industry and alumni through guest lectures, workshops, events, industry site inspections and other collaborative opportunities.
SABE network and nibbles
SABE recently held the first 2023 student and industry social hour. A wonderful event for SABE staff, local industry representatives and current students to build connections and look at opportunities for collaboration. Held in our beautiful precinct, Mr Barry Williams commenced the event with an Acknowledgement to Country, and then it was time to network. There was a great turnout with Architecture and Construction Management students and also our PhD candidates all engaging and enjoying the food, discussions and atmosphere. We are looking forward to our next event!
Network and Nibbles
Network and Nibbles
Network and Nibbles
Network and Nibbles
Network and Nibbles
Network and Nibbles
Network and Nibbles
Guest lectures and workshops
We are always pleased and grateful when industry choose to partner with us to benefit our students, who find guest lectures and workshops run by practicing professionals an invaluable addition to their learning.
We provide a myriad of opportunities for our students to extend their learning with guests both from professional practice and academia who are specialists and innovators in their field. Students are invited to participate in workshops and attend lectures that motivate and inspire them, ask them to think outside what they are learning in their formal study environment, and help them on their journey to becoming work-ready graduates.
Visiting architects and experts
The School invites architects and experts in practice to lecture or run a workshop on a topic of particular interest to them.
We have created eight streams of architectural theory and practice, and each lecture or workshop fits into a stream. Streams include:
- Cultural Histories of Australian Architecture
- The Practice-Research-Teaching Nexus. Why, How and What?
- Architecture in Real Time
- Niiarrnumber Burrai (Our Country)
- Making Rooms
- ‘Real’ Work…?
- Radical Domesticities
- Thinking Rooms
Summer elective
Within the School of Architecture and Built Environment, our students are able to undertake a new industry-based elective that runs through January each year.
In 2022, the theme was the ‘development cycle’ with a strong focus upon building surveying.
Students were involved in a range of practical industry-based activities to enhance their learning experience, such as:
- Building fire inspection with NSW Fire and Rescue - Mayfield West station
- Mock trial around building defects with Michael Morrissey from Morrissey Law & Advisory
- Sedimentation and erosion control site activities (installation of sedimentation fencing, use of dumpy levels and water quality sampling) with Janine Koppel from Lake Macquarie City Council
- Plus a host of construction site inspections looking at codes including fire safety and construction complexities
A major component of the elective involved an exciting collaboration between the University of Newcastle and TAFE NSW at Ourimbah on the Central Coast. Students had the opportunity to work in the TAFE NSW carpentry workshop and construct mini dwellings (cubby houses) considering Codes, to provide a practical context to their theory-based studies. The students then donated their mini dwellings to out(fit) who gifted them to Warlga Ngurra Women and Children’s Refuge and Family Support Newcastle.
A student with their summer elective project
A group of students with their summer elective project
A group of students on a university campus
out(fit)
out(fit) is an award-winning community engagement initiative hosted by SABE.
out(fit) provides student volunteers with the opportunity to develop their construction skills in a safe, inclusive and educational space.
Our team of skilled women and empowered volunteers have delivered a variety of meaningful projects that benefit marginalised communities in Newcastle, the Hunter and greater regional NSW.
In addition to our built projects, out(fit) coordinates community engagement events and workshops aimed at improving the built environment and providing opportunities for women to engage in the construction industry.
out(fit) empowers volunteers to help communities in need while providing opportunities to develop confidence, a sense of belonging and industry relevant skills.
In the 2022 AIA regional chapter architecture awards, out(fit) received a commendation in the small project category for the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Mock Courtroom project.
In 2020, out(fit) won an Australasian Green Gown Award in Student Engagement. The Green Gown Awards are the most prestigious recognition of sustainability activities within the tertiary education sector.
Also in 2020, out(fit) won two Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Awards: Community Contribution and Regional Achievement in Landscape Architecture.
2020 GGAA: Student Engagement – The University of Newcastle "out(fit)" 2:00
By providing access to design services for those who would not ordinarily benefit from this professional assistance, we can have a tremendous impact on daily lives.
Children’s University
Our School is extremely involved in educating and fostering a passion for the built environment in the next generation.
Our construction management team, including Kim Maund, Cameron Beard, Jessica Siva, Helen Giggins, Jamie MacKee, Maggie Tang, Sittimont Kanjanabootra, Thomas Johnson and Thayaparan Gajendran regularly participate in Children’s University Newcastle activities, holding events at Callaghan, NUSpace, Ourimbah and Taree, working with more than 400 primary school students.
Using craft materials, students were tasked with using teamwork to build a structure that could withstand forces associated with wind and load. Some amazing and innovative structures were created, and it was a wonderful opportunity to work with brilliant, enthusiastic young minds.
A project for the childrens university
A project for the childrens university
A project for the childrens university
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.