Melissa Ivelja, a recent Master of Architecture graduate from the University of Melbourne, has been awarded the 2024 NATSPEC Student Prize for a proposal that investigates the use of oyster shells as a sustainable construction material.
The competition challenged Australian students to propose innovative and compelling ways of applying new or existing materials, products or systems in design and construction.
The judges were unanimous in awarding this year’s prize to Ivelja for her proposal titled Shellshocked, which examines the potential of using oyster shell by-product across a range of material applications in construction.
The jury – comprising Anthony Burke, Rebecca Moore, Kathlyn Loseby and Tony Kemeny – commended Ivelja for her creative reclaimed shells, including as gravel, concrete aggregate and terrazzo, or as whole-shell decorative downpipes. These application ideas were demonstrated in an accompanying scheme called the Point Lonsdale Oyster Pavilion and several material prototypes.
In her proposal, Ivelja stated that mollusc shells have become a major global pollutant, with “an estimated 10 million tonnes” discarded each year, “most of which end up in landfill.” She added that oyster shells were historically used in construction but have mostly disappeared from contemporary building practices, despite their promise as “a low-embodied-energy material.”
The jury commented that Ivelja’s proposal not only demonstrated “imagination in application,” but was “exceptionally researched and well communicated.”
Adele Mancini, Matthew Sabransky, Dominic Randall, Luke McKee of Deakin University were commended for a proposal that explored the use of disposable vapes as a building material.
NATSPEC Student Prize-winners were awarded AUD $8,000 and commended entries received $1,500.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
