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Latest designs in bushfire prevention talked up
On the anniversary of Black Saturday, 7 February, you can find out more about
how new designs are helping with fire prevention, emergency response, post-fire
regeneration in communities and more, by attending floor talks at Melbourne
Museum.
The 2009 Design Challenge: Fire exhibition, currently on display at Melbourne
Museum, is running a series of informal floor talks during February to highlight and
discuss the exhibits.
The talks are by Design Challenge team members who will discuss the work, intent
and design research thinking of their contributions to the exhibition. The exhibition
brings together a diverse range of researchers and experts to generate innovative
transdisciplinary design projects in response to bushfires.
The talks will be introduced by Design Challenge Committee Chair and Head,
School of Management at RMIT University, Professor George Cairns, followed by
representatives of two teams – the winners, Polytactics, and another finalist team.
The winning Polytactics’ concept uses light-weight polymer materials in screens,
road barricades and construction fencing. During a fire event, this transforms into a
protective porcelain membrane. Post-fire the material is absorbed into the soil and
assists with environmental regeneration.
The first talk on Sunday, 7 February, the anniversary of Black Saturday, will feature
Stuart Harrison from Smarter Go Smarter Stay – Challenge finalist team and Nigel
Bertram from Polytactics.
The second talk on Sunday, 14 February will feature Jeremy Yuille and Laurene
Vaughn from burnMap – Challenge finalist team and Jordi Beneyto-Ferre from
Polytactics.
The talks are run by RMIT’s Design Research Institute, in conjunction with the
Design Challenge: Fire exhibition and Melbourne Museum.
What: Design Challenge: Fire floor talks
When: Sunday, 7 February (anniversary of Black Saturday), 1pm; and Sunday, 14
February, 1pm
Where: Discovery Centre Foyer (lower level) at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson
Street, Carlton
Cost: Free
For interviews or comment: RMIT Design Research Institute, Katherine
Wilkinson, (03) 9925 4161 or 0439 388 013.
For general media enquiries, RMIT University Communications, Paul Noonan,
(03) 9925 2373 or 0409 239 021.
1 February, 2010
NEWS 
