Our Interior Design students took part in this collaborative workshop with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) senior showcase exhibition for graduating seniors. The workshop brought VCUQatar interior design students with RMIT students to design and execute the senior exhibit; from a two-storey empty floor to a finished space within five days. Our students were primarily responsible for designing the library portion. Each year RMIT leases an un-used building to showcase senior work, and much of the two-storey warehouse space is dedicated to the exhibition of student portfolios. Additionally there is an entry-space that includes the names of students and a catalog of the beautifully produced booklets of their seminar work in a library-like setting.

VCUQatar students set about a Mapping exercise, whereby they organized the senior seminar booklets within a small space, connecting the library presentation space with the overall exhibition, taking into consideration the context of Melbourne Australia (where most RMIT students sites were located). As a consequence the room became a sculptural response for displaying the books.

Later in the week students visited an architectural office, Fender Katsalidis Architects, engaged in the design of many new buildings in Melbourne. The students were amazed with their studios and the quality of professional work. A highlight was looking across the Melbourne skyline via the Eureka SkyDeck which was adjacent to the architect’s office.

Farheen Ehasanulla said, “The best part about the whole trip was that we got to take part in designing the senior exhibition library display. To see our ideas implemented and produced in “real life” felt great. I hope we can do something like that here at VCUQatar.”

Farheen also said “Sara Lee’s cheesecake from Cole’s was the best cheesecake I have ever eaten.”

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