Society Spotlight: UC Architecture
By Sonja Deakin
If you’ve ever walked past Building 7 late at night and spotted a light still on in the studio. Chances are an architecture student is behind it, and chances are they’re part of the UC Architecture society.
This month we sat down with the University of Canberra’s Architecture Society (UCAS) committee to talk late-night studio sessions, a Roaring 20’s themed ball, and so much more.
This year’s committee is MacKenzie (Treasurer), a committee regular of a few years who “always pulls through” on the team’s bolder ideas; Alisha (Acting President); Aleena (Secretary); and Eloise (Social Media Manager and Acting Vice President).
UCAS brings together architecture, design students and enthusiasts across every year level, running events throughout the year and building a community where students can talk about Uni in general. Their social media has helped them reach well beyond the architecture cohort, and membership has doubled since last year. We asked the team to describe the society to someone who’s never heard of it, and they kept it simple: “A fun society with a focus on architecture.”
It’s not all social, though. The committee is proud that they “don’t skim over” the realities of the degree, and they’re happy to give honest advice to anyone thinking about studying architecture. They also have a strong connection with their teachers and tutors, many of whom work in the industry. UCAS shares an office with SONA, an Australia-wide architecture student association with links to firms, and members often join in on their events. The society also helped organise sponsorship for the architecture portion of the graduate exhibition.
For prospective students, the committee’s advice is honest. “Do your research before you get into it.” The degree is a big commitment, but the skills cross over into everything from graphic design and urban planning to construction and even video game design. With students picking up programs like Rhino, Revit and Adobe along the way.
Recent events include the society’s first ever collaboration, a paint and sip with the UC Design and UC Comms. Even though it landed in a busy studio week, plenty of students still stopped by for a break. They also had what they called a ‘Measure and Mingle’, a pub outing where you had to bring a ruler. Another line here bringing this paragraph together.
The biggest pro? The people. “The friendships you make are insane,” one member said. The building 7 workshop gets a special mention too. The workshop staff are super helpful and understanding, UCAS has added a fridge, and spare material drop-offs to help students who can’t afford new boards.
Want to see what they get up to? You don’t need to be an architecture student. You can walk in on presentations from any year in Building 7. And if you’re after the best architecture to view on campus, the committee’s pick is the spaceship at Building 5.
The big event on the calendar is the UCAS Ball on the 14th of November, a Roaring 20’s, speakeasy-themed ball open to everyone. Tickets are out now with early bird pricing available. Membership is only $5 for the year and gets you cheaper tickets to events year-round, so it pays for itself.
To get involved follow UCAS on Instagram at @ucas.cbr and on TikTok at @ucas.cbr. And first years, the committee wants to hear from you! DM them if you need help or send through work if you’d like some appreciation.