Students design to get public moving

Students from across the Emirates teamed up to inspire public exercise as a way of addressing the nation's growing health problems by designing a green piece of public playground equipment.

Student groups from ten universities came together as part of the student design challenge at the Index interior design show, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre last week.

"We wanted the students to look at current issues relevant to the city and health is a big thing, specifically diabetes and obesity," said Nasreen Al Tamimi, Tasmena team member.

Tasmena is a local non-profit organisation committed to innovative positions in various design disciplines such as art, film, photography and architecture.

The organisation also conceptualised the student design challenge at this year's Index.

"We wanted to make sure the students work on something beneficial to society by encouraging the public to get active in public spaces," added Nasreen.

And the winners are

Group B's Pedal Mania project won the judges' votes for its innovative and clever design.

The group sought to create a pedalling maze which doubled as a sculptural landmark.

"We don't really see huge sculptures or art work around the city," said Azza Al Shamsi, 20, interior design student from Zayed University (ZU). "We wanted to create an aesthetic form pleasing to the eye but at the same time make it a playground," she added.

The sculptural pedal track is a four metre high maze, through which riders pedal using their legs or arms. The choice of limb use also makes the circuit accessible to those with special needs.

The energy generated by the movement is stored to light up the sculpture at night.

"Using the energy generated by the movement people can also charge their gadgets, mobile phones and iPods," said Afnan Saeed, 20, interior design student from ZU.

"It's an incentive for people to recharge while on the move, but they also get some exercise," she added.

Making it a reality

During the design phase students used a hypothetical location to work with, which was Deira City Centre. However partners and sponsors of the challenge, Index and the Al Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG) are determined to make the project a reality.

"The project is in its initial design stage so it's not such that we can get this into development just yet," said Paul Boldy, Construction Director of ISG PLC, a UK construction services company in partnership with HLG.

"[But] by the time we get round to INDEX next year, hopefully it will be in service," he added.

Yet, whether the building project goes ahead or not, it is the recognition that the students will hold on to.

"Simply being recognised for something we designed that may actually get built is reward enough," said Azza.

"It will be our first ever project that may get built and you always remember the first of everything," said Afnan.

The winners:

• Zayed University
• Ajman University of Science and Technology
• Manipal University Dubai
• Herriot-Watt University Dubai Campus
• Al Ain University
• Al Ain Higher Colleges of Technology