designer drinks april 2008

Earlier this month, designer drinks were held once again at the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning of the University of Sydney to support bricks + cartwheels.


It was a great night and a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about our recent endeavours and aspirations. It's nice to know that even though we have graduated, bricks + cartwheels still has the continued support of the University and Faculty in particular.


We managed to raise $237.85 on the night! Thank you so much to everyone who came.
Your kindness and generosity is much appreciated.

A special mention must be made to Sarah, president of SUAS, for her enthusiasm and efforts to strengthen not only relations between bricks + cartwheels and the Faculty, but also between alumni and current students of Sydney Uni. Thank you, Sarah.

Bring on the next one! Looking forward to it!

graduation day for bricks + cartwheels

We've finally done it! After 6 long years the bricks + cartwheels team has graduated from the Architecture Faculty at The Univeristy of Sydney. It was an amazing day. A morning full of gowns, ceremony, speeches and tradition followed by an afternoon full of food, wine and fun.

Oh and of course then an evening full of more fun and fine wine!

All with our wonderful family and friends who we really couldn't have graduated without. Anyone who knows an architecture student knows that they are hard to live with, and our families and friends have put up with us all for a long time.

We'd like to give a special mention to our fantastic architecture gang, who have been through thick and thin with us for the last 6 years. Where would we be without you all?

3 Weeks, 3 peaks - African Challenge

An apologetic member of the b+c team has been slow off the mark to blog this fabulous film.

The bricks+cartwheels girls went to the Sydney premiere of the 3 weeks, 3 peaks film a few weeks ago. It was an inspiring film that documented the determination of a small group of young women to raise awareness for Africa's peak issues - health, education and environment. The girls from Australia and America scaled three of Africa's highest peaks (Mount Kenya, Meru and Kilimanjaro) and raised over $385,000 for three local organisations in Kenya and Tanzania.

The girls were fortunate to have the Emmy Award winning cinematographer Michael Brown and a four person film-crew from Serac Adventure Films travelling with them. The result was a very honest and inspiring film that will further increase awareness for Africa's peak issues. Much to the girl's excitement - the film won Best adventure Film at The Boulder International Film Festival on Feb 17 and The People's Choice Award at the Flagstaff Mountain film Festival on March 9.

After the premiere, it was exciting to hear from our friend Brie Koch - a founding team member, that the project will continue - by supporting a new group of young women to complete the challenge in 2009. It is so important for great projects like 3 weeks, 3 peaks to become sustainable organisations. Great work girls! We continue to be inspired by people like you.

Tibet

We recently came across the wonderful blog spot of pia jane bijerk. The philosophy of Pia's blog is to "enhance the everyday" and it does just that. Pia is a stylist, writer, photographer and dedicated humanitarian. Pia writes a lot about africa and has an "africa in the spotlight" section.

One of the most moving and inspring posts we have read in a long time is this one by pia about Tibet. Pia is a great writer and this is definitely worth the read. We encourage everyone to have a look at it here.

Bholu - Fair trade designers

We have recently stumbled across this amazing design company called Bholu. They are a fair trade and carbon neutral company who as well as being socially conscious are amazing designers. Bholu products are designed in Australia and are brought to life by the hands of women artisans in Gujurat, India. Their philosophy is to create great products that also benefit the community along the way.

By using their traditional skills the women gain income and independance. Part of the proceeds from all products go back to the women and their communities along with funding educational facilities and other programes for underpriviledged children.

Bholu also has a blog called Bholuland which you should check out! There are lots of inspiring photos and stories about their work both here and in India. We discovered that AWF (Architects Without Frontiers) under the leadership of Sam Crawford and Jane Rothschild are designing the next Bholu anganwadi building in Ahmedabad, India.

To find out more about the amazing work of Bholu check out their website here. It's great to find out about wonderful companies like this.

All photos coutesy of Bholuland blog.

earth hour 2008

As a registered organisation that supports Earth Hour, bricks + cartwheels got a few friends together on the night of the 29th, to be part of the global movement sending out a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

The lights went out and the hour went by easily with a couple of guitars and great conversation..


"It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference."
- http://earthhour.org/

We were proud to be part of it. Hope you were too.