Earlier this year, students from eight universities were invited to update famous Baulderstone projects, like the Opera House, using modern methods, materials and techniques.

A handful aspiring Australian engineers have made it through to the final round of Baulderstone’s Icons student competition and will take part in a six week roadshow touring Australia from July.

The Sydney Opera House, Anzac Bridge, Story Bridge, Etihad Stadium, Treasury Building, Adelaide Convention Centre and the Graham Farmer Freeway have all been updated by some of Australia’s most promising engineering and construction students.

The seven iconic buildings will be reproduced on a grand scale and travel around the country, engaging with communities in a highly-visual and creative way.

The shortlisted student submissions will also be presented next to each respective icon to show roadshow visitors how an icon might be updated using sustainable methods and materials.

The general public are encouraged to visit the roadshow, assess and vote for their favourite student submission as part of the People’s Choice Award, to be announced at the grand finale in Sydney alongside the Judges’ Award.

“Not only are we proud of our association with some of the most recognised buildings and structures in our country, we’re also committed to fostering new talent entering the engineering and construction industry,“ said Baulderstone Managing Director Ian Luck.

“I’d like to personally congratulate all the shortlisted students for all their hard work in making it to the final round in our competition and look forward to seeing their submissions displayed next to our Icons structures as part of the roadshow.

“For more than 80 years Baulderstone has been ‘creating what matters’ and we will continue to cultivate and encourage home-grown talent. We’re very excited to be bringing Baulderstone’s Icons to the people of Australia and we look forward to sharing our stories with the general public,” he added.

The shortlisted students are:

  • Zoe Last & Duncan Marshall - University of Adelaide
  • Santo Leung - University of Adelaide
  • John van Rooyen & Marco Stankovic - University of Sydney
  • Matthew Wells - University of Sydney
  • Blake Pearson & Kai Han - RMIT University
  • James Ryan - Queensland University of Technology
  • Scott Spencer - University of Western Sydney