The Heavy Metal Raft was designed and made as an accompaniment to the Retaining Wall at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Also part of a larger campaign by MONA to find creative responses to the significant heavy metal pollution of the River Derwent, the Raft was conceived as part science research station, part social gathering space and part swimming platform.

The Raft originally supported a series of baskets containing upwards of 1500 oysters; efficient natural bio filters that would be monitored in relation to river health and eventually removed to be deposited and stored in the Retaining Wall.

The project was designed with architect Ross Brewin and artist Kit Wise and students worked with local tradespeople and the project team at MONA to help build the project at a local boat builder's workshop before it was floated into position on the shoreline adjacent to the museum.

When: Designed and Made Semester 1 2014

Staff Responsible: Ross Brewin, Alysia Bennett, Kit Wise

External Collaborators: Museum of Old and New Art, Felicetti

Level of Students: Bachelor of Architecture

Number of Students: 5

Completed Project Photographs: Benjamin Hosking