Melonie and egresStudio member Jo Baker spoke at the SONA-AIA end of year event at Tusculum, giving some insights into what can be achieved through the mentoring scheme and the opportunities for both students and practitioners alike. Syidah Harris and Dean Williams also attended the event.

Liquid Architecture are sponsors and mentors to the student design group EgresStudio, which was launched three months ago by Ric le Plastrier, Liquid Architecture and egresStudio. Since then egresStudio have made significant progress and are about to lodge the DA for their "3 houses at Pokolbin" project. Set on a 25 acre vineyard at Pokolbin in the picturesque Hunter Valley, the project entails three tourist short-stay houses in the Hunter Valley. egresStudio are not only designing and documenting the project, but also spending next year constructing the dwellings.

After a long site analysis and developed design phase, egresStudio will be looking to soon document for construction whilst the DA assessment period is in progress. The design detailing will embrace the latest ecological technologies and practices, and incorporate recycled building materials. Minimisation of the carbon footprint during construction and for the long-term sustainability of the building are key to the project intent, with egresStudio looking to achieve a high green star accredited building when the project is completed.