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Subsections
As a lecturer at the School of Urban Development, Paul Den Ronden immediately recognised the great value of SERF providing a hands-on, practical teaching and learning facility for his students in UDB112 Professional Studies 1.
The “Barracks” on the property required significant modification and refurbishment to bring it to a standard fit for accommodation by QUT. Using all the competencies within the unit outline, Paul translated them into a real life project at SERF to significantly transform the building into a safe and habitable structure.
The students’ assessment included site identification and surveying, drafting of domestic structures, location of services and constructing a model of a domestic residence.
It further developed the students understanding of Residential Construction and Construction Management by the practical applications of the theory taught in Semester 1 to real developments within the commercial scene in Brisbane.
The work carried out by the students on the Barracks allowed them to participate in a real world project has included:
This project has provided his students with valuable experience in the documentation of an existing building, solving all manner of construction defects and difficulties and utilising their leadership skills in planning and executing the refurbishment work.
Also, through innovative recycling, purchasing of sustainable materials and the labour provided by Paul and his students, the cost of this project has been dramatically reduced to about one-sixth of what could be expected.
Feedback from the students has been phenomenal, indicating that they regard this experience as invaluable and an innovative and exciting program which has greatly enhanced their learning experience.
As a result of his forward thinking, Paul won the Programs that Enhance Learning Award by QUT’s Built Environment and Engineering (BEE) faculty that awards teachers who develop quality programs that influence on student learning and student engagement with their respective course.
He was jointly nominated by the ISR and QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) for the Award as we believe his contribution to the teaching and research activities at the SERF and utilising it as a “living laboratory” warrants recognition befitting his efforts.
The Barracks at SERF will shortly be available as a residential facility for visiting ecologists to study the Samford environment and for small conferences and retreats organised by ISR or other Faculties.
28 July 2008
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My research on Dr Elizabeth Marks has provided me with an opportunity to study, in depth, the life and work of a woman who was at the forefront of vital entomological research and education within Australia (especially within Queensland) at a time when women in the scientific field were still considered somewhat of an anomaly. I am interested in the life story of Dr Marks because it offers a narrative view of broader historical issues such as women’s history, female agency in an historical setting and the role of women in society. Issues such are as these are still fairly contemporary additions to the ledger of historical research and discourse.
Aside to the research, I will also be compiling a database that will catalogue the extensive Marks family historical collection. This collection includes art, jewellery and furniture and is spread throughout Queensland in museums, private collections and archives. The aim of this project is to have this information collated in one place and available for public use within 18 months.
My endeavours so far have found me buried under a mountain of information that I have been collecting from books, journals and research papers in order to ground myself solidly within the field of research. I am getting to know Dr Marks’s story a little more each day and in the near future I hope to start talking with those who knew her well and get into various archived records in order to fill in some of the gaps I have encountered with the paper trail. I am hoping to commence writing my thesis very soon.
It is my hope that this research will enrich understanding of Dr Marks’s life and work and highlight the impact she had upon entomological study, education and practice as a pioneering woman within her field.
~ Madeleine Sternberg, ISR Dr EN Marks Scholar
8 July 2008
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The ISR recently applied and was successful in receiving a grant from Living Buildings and Places Heritage Grant Program from the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the amount of $8200 to help initiate the conservation work on the Slab Hut.
Peter Marquis-Kyle a heritage architect, has prepared a comprehensive conservation report for the Hut which includes:
Termite protection
The timber walls of the Slab Hut are placed directly on a bare earth ground making it highly susceptible to termite and water damage. A qualified operator has been engaged to install termite baiting stations in the ground around the Hut.
Secure loose parts
Engage a carpenter experienced in conservation work to secure loose gable boards, wall slabs and roof sheeting, using galvanised screws, wire or strapping that will be applied in a reversible manner and to secure any other loose parts of the building. All new materials will be date-marked and recorded for submission to the EPA Cultural Heritage Branch.
Information kit and briefings
Development of an information kit to inform visitors about the cultural value of the Slab Hut, its conservation policies and protocols for using the SERF.
Bushfire management and hazard reduction
Due to the Hut’s exposed timber structure and semi-isolated location, there is a considerable risk of grass fires to the building. Preliminary bush fire hazard reduction assessment has indicated that it may be beneficial to place gravel around the boundary of the timber slabs to minimise the risk from grass fires.
Research, teaching and learning facility
Inline with being a teaching facility, the development of a comprehensive teaching and learning program for undergraduate and postgraduate students is deemed important. Some of the programs are:
Conservation work is due to begin soon utilising QUT students which will contribute towards their overall course points. This will be under the supervision of the heritage architect.
Once completed, QUT and the Samford Historical District Society will work together to allow guided information tours to the Slab Hut by local primary school students as this allows students an opportunity to appreciate the significance of this building and its local history.
13 June 2008
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About SERF: Achievements
Subsections
- Paul Den Ronden, Built Environment and Engineering, QUT
- EN Marks Research Introductory Statement (Madeleine Sternberg)
- Queensland Heritage Grant
Paul Den Ronden, Lecturer, BEE School of Urban Development
The “Barracks” on the property required significant modification and refurbishment to bring it to a standard fit for accommodation by QUT. Using all the competencies within the unit outline, Paul translated them into a real life project at SERF to significantly transform the building into a safe and habitable structure.
The students’ assessment included site identification and surveying, drafting of domestic structures, location of services and constructing a model of a domestic residence.
It further developed the students understanding of Residential Construction and Construction Management by the practical applications of the theory taught in Semester 1 to real developments within the commercial scene in Brisbane.
The work carried out by the students on the Barracks allowed them to participate in a real world project has included:
- Full CAD documentation of the existing building including a report on services
- Removal of lead head nails and full re-screwing and flashing of existing roof
- Repair of all flooring to decks and the total replacement of one deck
- The construction of a new balustrade and staircases to all decks
- The removal of all existing asbestos sheeting
- The installation of new windows and re-cladding of external walls in custom orb sheeting
- The removal and reframing of all timber damaged by termites
- The total rebuilding and retiling of the kitchen, bath and wc areas
- The pouring of a concrete slab to provide for new toilets and shower
- The relining of all ceilings and walls in plasterboard to the above areas
- The provision of laminated beams to the lounge area to replace the white ant infested structure
Also, through innovative recycling, purchasing of sustainable materials and the labour provided by Paul and his students, the cost of this project has been dramatically reduced to about one-sixth of what could be expected.
Feedback from the students has been phenomenal, indicating that they regard this experience as invaluable and an innovative and exciting program which has greatly enhanced their learning experience.
As a result of his forward thinking, Paul won the Programs that Enhance Learning Award by QUT’s Built Environment and Engineering (BEE) faculty that awards teachers who develop quality programs that influence on student learning and student engagement with their respective course.
He was jointly nominated by the ISR and QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) for the Award as we believe his contribution to the teaching and research activities at the SERF and utilising it as a “living laboratory” warrants recognition befitting his efforts.
The Barracks at SERF will shortly be available as a residential facility for visiting ecologists to study the Samford environment and for small conferences and retreats organised by ISR or other Faculties.
28 July 2008
Back to Top
Introductory statement from Madeleine Sternberg
Aside to the research, I will also be compiling a database that will catalogue the extensive Marks family historical collection. This collection includes art, jewellery and furniture and is spread throughout Queensland in museums, private collections and archives. The aim of this project is to have this information collated in one place and available for public use within 18 months.
My endeavours so far have found me buried under a mountain of information that I have been collecting from books, journals and research papers in order to ground myself solidly within the field of research. I am getting to know Dr Marks’s story a little more each day and in the near future I hope to start talking with those who knew her well and get into various archived records in order to fill in some of the gaps I have encountered with the paper trail. I am hoping to commence writing my thesis very soon.
It is my hope that this research will enrich understanding of Dr Marks’s life and work and highlight the impact she had upon entomological study, education and practice as a pioneering woman within her field.
~ Madeleine Sternberg, ISR Dr EN Marks Scholar
8 July 2008
Back to Top
Queensland Heritage Grant
Peter Marquis-Kyle a heritage architect, has prepared a comprehensive conservation report for the Hut which includes:
Termite protection
The timber walls of the Slab Hut are placed directly on a bare earth ground making it highly susceptible to termite and water damage. A qualified operator has been engaged to install termite baiting stations in the ground around the Hut.
Secure loose parts
Engage a carpenter experienced in conservation work to secure loose gable boards, wall slabs and roof sheeting, using galvanised screws, wire or strapping that will be applied in a reversible manner and to secure any other loose parts of the building. All new materials will be date-marked and recorded for submission to the EPA Cultural Heritage Branch.
Information kit and briefings
Development of an information kit to inform visitors about the cultural value of the Slab Hut, its conservation policies and protocols for using the SERF.
Bushfire management and hazard reduction
Due to the Hut’s exposed timber structure and semi-isolated location, there is a considerable risk of grass fires to the building. Preliminary bush fire hazard reduction assessment has indicated that it may be beneficial to place gravel around the boundary of the timber slabs to minimise the risk from grass fires.
Research, teaching and learning facility
Inline with being a teaching facility, the development of a comprehensive teaching and learning program for undergraduate and postgraduate students is deemed important. Some of the programs are:
- Photographing the Hut structure using precision stereoscopic photogram metric techniques
- 3D modelling of SERF and the Hut
- Detailed baseline measurements of the Hut
Conservation work is due to begin soon utilising QUT students which will contribute towards their overall course points. This will be under the supervision of the heritage architect.
Once completed, QUT and the Samford Historical District Society will work together to allow guided information tours to the Slab Hut by local primary school students as this allows students an opportunity to appreciate the significance of this building and its local history.
13 June 2008
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