LUMINOCITY UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2026 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT EXHIBITION AND STUDY GUIDE
Bachelor of Architectural Studies Bachelor of City Planning (Honours) Bachelor of Construction Management and Property Bachelor of Design (Computational Design) Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours) Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours)
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Acknowledgement of Country Dharug Ngalawadyingun Bediagal Dharug Ngurrawa Wingaradyingun Bediagal Dharug Ngurrawa
English We stand here on Bediagal Dharug Country. We learn on Bediagal Dharug Country.
Ngalu ngurrabirang. Bimal wayangagu Burra biyangagu Badugu
We belong to Country, To Mother Earth, To Father Sky, To the waters.
Bayangun budyari Dharug warunggad yiyuragu baranyiin yagu baribugu.
We speak well of Dharug Elders yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Bayangun budyari Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander yiyuragu Ngurra bimalgu
We speak well of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their homelands.
Yanma muday Ngurrawa.
Walk softly on Country
Courtesy of: Anissa Jones, Indigenous Academic Specialist, UNSW Arts Design and Architecture Associate Prof. Bernadette Hardy, UNSW Built Environment Prof. Gillian Barlow, UNSW Built Environment
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WELCOME
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Welcome to Luminocity 2026 Luminocity is UNSW Built Environment’s annual exhibition that celebrates student projects and achievements across our seven undergraduate degrees: • Bachelor of Architectural Studies • Bachelor of City Planning (Honours) • Bachelor of Construction Management and Property • Bachelor of Design (Computational Design) • Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) • Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours) • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours) Across these degrees we work with our students and award-winning industry professionals to explore how we can make buildings, cities and design better – for both people and planet. We explore how we can plan and design more inclusive cities, buildings and landscapes, and how creativity and cuttingedge digital skills can reimagine everyday products, places and spaces. We also have a commitment to ensuring all our graduates are equipped to take meaningful climate action in their future careers, be it through designing biodiverse landscapes, reusing waste materials in innovative ways or designing buildings that work in tune with their local climate and environment. As you take a tour around the exhibition, and this accompanying catalogue, you will see the breadth of our students’ work – their creativity, empathy and passion. You’ll see completed projects communicated through physical models, drawings, renders and even virtual reality. We’ve included profiles of our recent alumni, so you can also see how we’re educating future leaders who go on to have impactful careers in their chosen industry. You will see how Sydney is our laboratory – the city we call home, and where we put our ideas to the test. But you’ll also see our global outreach through courses we run around the world, giving students the chance to travel to Austria, Cambodia, China, India, Italy, Japan and many more. These opportunities provide life-changing experiences for our students and help them establish careers not only in Australia, but also around the globe. I hope you enjoy Luminocity 2026, and I look forward to welcoming you back to UNSW Sydney in the future. Professor Philip Oldfield Hon. FRAIA Head of School, UNSW Built Environment
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Luminocity 2026 Exhibition Modules
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LUMINOCITY DESIGN AND FABRICATION UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Luminocity 2026 Design Methodology The 2026 delivery of Luminocity looks to continue the success of the now established 'kit-of-parts' system developed by UNSW Architecture alumnus James Hargrave over the past few editions of the exhibition. The lifecycle of the system has been as much part of the exhibition as the student work on display and this year we honour the environmental approach of the exhibition with 90% of the event infrastructure being reused from the previous year. The School of Built Environment is a unique ecosystem meaning the cardboard materials used in this exhibition can easily be reused, for example, as infrastructure for the end of year BE Graduation Exhibition, and also becoming core model making materials for countless other courses and studios. It's great to see the impact this exhibition design is having on the way our students think about design, materials and the circular economy. Further, the material itself is evolving with greater structural integrity being achieved in thinner sheets of cardboard and this evolution will surely inform key developments of the system moving forward. We will continue to improve these exhibitions in the years to come through ongoing design refinement and the pursuit of environmentally conscious practices. Luis Zaldy Gito Luminocity Exhibition Coordinator UNSW School of Built Environment James Hargrave Founder, Abstract8 www.abstract8.com.au
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Architecture End of Year Exhibition
Students at the DFL
LIFE IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Construction Students Using VR
Architecture End of Year Exhibition
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The City Analytics Lab
Architecture Studio
Australian Institute of Architects, Student Awards Evening
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Students in Venice
Using the Robots at the DFL
Construction Students in the 360 Cinema
Urban Design Studio
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Construction Students Site Visit with John Holland Group
Landscape Architecture Students at the Cooks River
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White Bay Power Station, Rozelle
BE GRAD EX
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BE GRAD EX
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BE GRAD EX In addition to Luminocity, UNSW Built Environment partners with White Bay Power Station to celebrate our graduates’ final year projects and designs with an annual public exhibition and showcase. This is held in the industrial setting of the power station’s Boiler House, one of the most remarkable cultural spaces in Australia. Each year the exhibition is designed, curated and organised by a team of around 50 students under the careful leadership of Dr. Kate Dunn. To prepare them for such an undertaking, students sit a dedicated elective course on exhibition design and curation, which they receive credit for as part of their degrees. BE Grad Ex exhibits around 500 student projects each year, and welcomes thousands of visitors from the local community, employers, students, families and friends who join us to view the work and celebrate our graduating students’ many achievements. Do join us in 2026, when we will again be exhibiting at White Bay Power Station. The opening will be on the evening of December 4th, with access to the public all day on December 5th and 6th. Learn more about BE Grad Ex here:
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CONTENTS ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES
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CITY PLANNING (HONOURS) 27 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT & PROPERTY
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DESIGN (COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN)
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DESIGN (INDUSTRIAL DESIGN)
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INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE (HONOURS) 75 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE (HONOURS) 87 INTERNATIONAL COURSES & EXPERIENCES
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DESIGN FUTURES LAB
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CREDITS 109
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BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES
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The UNSW Bachelor of Architectural Studies is a three-year degree where you’ll learn to design buildings and places that respond to the environmental, social and cultural challenges shaping our future. Through design studios and industry-aligned courses, you’ll develop the creative and technical intelligence to tackle real-world problems. You’ll learn to bring together architectural design, sustainability, construction, structures and environmental performance to create places that are meaningful, resilient and responsive to people and planet. Architecture is more than designing buildings. You’ll explore how history, culture and material choices shape our built environment, develop an understanding of First Nations perspectives, and learn to communicate ideas through drawing, modelling, digital technologies and fabrication. The Bachelor of Architectural Studies is the first step on the professional pathway to becoming a registered architect. Graduates can progress to UNSW’s professionally accredited Master of Architecture, followed by the professional experience and examination requirements for registration. The degree also develops highly transferable skills in design thinking, communication, sustainability, digital technologies, project development and creative problem-solving—opening pathways to careers across architecture and the broader built environment and creative industries.
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This project proposes a multipurpose community library adjacent to the Ngara light rail station, Parramatta. Serving as the community’s ‘3rd living space’, the building is a threshold and a meeting point for community engagement and growth. The building follows a timber slat skin wrapping around large, stacked glass forms to flood interior spaces with sunlight and create an organic material palette that weathers naturally to complement the surrounding tree canopy. The library is a central hub for learning about the site’s rich Indigenous and Colonial heritage, with a combination of Western and Indigenous learning spaces.
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Site Model
‘Written’ learning spaces hold traditional stacks and quiet reading spaces, while the ‘unwritten’ learning spaces include conversation spaces, Indigenous artefacts and sunlit spaces for storytelling. Beneath the library, the ‘community room’ opens onto a public plaza, creating a new vital space for the local community. Separate from the library, an exhibition space offers the community an opportunity to showcase mixed media artworks. Two floors hold a traditional, sunlit exhibition space, while the third floor and rooftop terrace include spaces for audio-visual and outdoor use. Interior Perspective LUMINOCITY
GABRIELLE FRANCIS
THE BUILDING IS A THRESHOLD AND A MEETING POINT FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND GROWTH. PARRAMATTA, NSW
Site Plan
Ground Floor Plan
Long Elevation UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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YUNHAN WU
THE LINK PARRAMATTA, NSW “The Link” is a public library and community building located in North Parramatta, adjacent to the Ngara light rail stop and the surrounding heritage precinct. The project integrates library, exhibition and community facilities within a shared civic environment. The proposal is guided by the concept of “Connection”, responding to the relationship between transport, landscape and the surrounding heritage context. The existing timber fence limits pedestrian movement between the light rail station and adjacent green space. In response, a public route passes through the ground floor, transforming the building into a civic link between the two. A central atrium brings natural daylight deep into the building, while changing floor edges create varied openings that strengthen visual and spatial connections between levels. Red brick is adopted as the primary material in response to the surrounding heritage character. Rather than forming an enclosed facade, the brickwork extends outward as a screen, filtering direct sunlight and reducing solar heat gain while maintaining light, views and interaction between interior and exterior.
Interior Perspective LUMINOCITY
Exterior Perspecive
Exterior Perspecive
Ground Floor Plan
Long Section UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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COMMON GROUND A COMMUNITY PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN PAUSE. PARRAMATTA, NSW Facing three distinct urban conditions; the light rail, residential neighbourhood and heritage park—the site currently lacks meaningful connections between them. The proposal responds by creating a community place where people can pause, gather and spend time. Three programmatically distinct volumes maintain independent access while being unified by a continuous elevated platform. More than circulation, the platform becomes an inhabited public space, incorporating generous seating areas, café tables and a community stair leading to the upper level, encouraging informal and unplanned occupation.
Exterior Perspective
Construction Section
At the centre, an expanding void opens progressively towards the upper floors, bringing natural light deep into the building and creating an increasingly open spatial experience. Pale red masonry defines the solid main volumes, while lightweight steel and timber articulate the connecting platform. More enclosed external façades contrast with generous openings towards the central void, creating a bright internal heart that connects the complex as one civic whole.
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Long Section
Site Model
Ground Floor Plan UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Level 3 Plan
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The Parramatta Library Precinct transforms an underutilised park into an active civic destination by orientating the buildings towards the landscape. The layout is organised around a central courtyard, with the buildings fanning outward to activate all sides of the site while framing views towards the surrounding historic buildings including the Female Factory. The library, community centre, and exhibition spaces are connected by a central glass pavilion, creating a welcoming arrival and gathering space beneath the existing tree. An atrium provides visual connections between library levels, while stepped seating strengthens the relationship between the interior and the park. Brick was selected to respond to the site’s character and adaptive reuse, wrapping each building with an outer shell while following the natural slope of the landscape. In contrast, the transparent glass pavilion draws visitors into the precinct and allows the landscape to remain visually dominant. Inspired by the Magdalene Catholic College, window seats and study nooks create comfortable spaces for learning, gathering, and community interaction. Construction Section
PARRAMATTA LIBRARY PRECINCT Short Section
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SARAH HAZELTON
THE LAYOUT IS ORGANISED AROUND A CENTRAL COURTYARD, WITH THE BUILDINGS FANNING OUTWARD TO ACTIVATE ALL SIDES OF THE SITE. PARRAMATTA, NSW
Ground Floor Plan
Level 1 Plan
Concept Diagrams
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DEGREE: Bachelor of Architectural Studies (class of 2016) CURRENT ROLE: Senior Associate, Stewart Architecture, Sydney
SASHA LESIUK CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STUDY ARCHITECTURE AT UNSW? Architecture is a profession where you wear many hats. You jump from being a designer, to a salesperson, to discussing technical details with engineers within a matter of minutes. Studying architecture at UNSW set me up with the skills to confidently wear those hats by encouraging us to engage in a wide variety of subjects. The course also exposed me to people within the industry who were not only valuable tutors but also became mentors who helped guide me through the course and into the working environment. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM UNSW? Since graduating I have worked at a number of practices both locally and internationally. Through UNSW I was awarded a scholarship to work in Italy at the Renzo Piano Building Workshop where I worked on large scale projects such as One Sydney Harbour in Barangaroo and the Istanbul Modern Museum in Turkey. My experience in Italy was very formative and helped to shape how I think about the role of architecture at a larger, more urban scale.
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WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT ROLE LIKE, AND WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? As a Senior Associate at Stewart Architecture I am heavily involved in the day to day running of the studio from administration tasks to client management, as well as leading teams within the office to deliver projects. My day typically involves internal design meetings where we workshop and problem solve elements of a project. I also spend time liaising with consultants to ensure that our design intent will be realised through the documentation and construction process. Often a project involves a large team of varying disciplines and as the architect I see our role as bringing all the information together in a way that is functional, practical, financially viable and also beautiful (it is a fun balancing act!). WHAT UNEXPECTED SKILLS DID YOU GAIN FROM YOUR DEGREE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN INTO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHY HAS IT BEEN SO VALUABLE? I think one of the biggest skills I gained from my time at uni was the ability to communicate a design concept verbally and visually – whether that be to an individual or a large
ALUMNI audience. The ability to communicate clearly is a valuable skill that will often enable you to achieve an outcome on a project without compromising the design. Spending time presenting to design juries at uni also made me better at thinking on my toes and answering questions with confidence. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN STUDYING ARCHITECTURE? The key piece of advice that I would give to someone interested in studying architecture is to keep an open mind, be curious and never stop asking questions. It’s also important to remember that once you leave uni you aren’t expected to know everything in five minutes flat. It takes a lifetime to build the knowledge and experience to be a ‘good architect’ - it’s a process that is challenging but also full of a lot of joy and creativity.
Internship at Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Genoa, Italy
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BACHELOR OF CITY PLANNING (HONOURS) UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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The UNSW Bachelor of City Planning (Honours) is a four-year, full-time degree that shows you how to shape the future of built environments to benefit residents, businesses and communities alike. Because cities and regions need to be more than efficient and convenient – they need to foster a sense of connection, create new ways of living, and make sure we can grow sustainably. From protecting our natural environments to working with communities in cultivating equitable and inclusive neighbourhoods – you can make real change. You’ll also benefit from our strong ties to industry when you complete our highly regarded and world-leading ‘Practice Year’ in your third year of study. This planning degree gets to the heart of what makes great places tick. Shape the future of our cities and regions and make your mark on what urban and regional planning will be capable of for years to come.
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As housing demand has increased across Greater Sydney in the past decade, many commercial centres are shifting towards becoming mixed-use hubs, with commercial buildings being retrofitted to accommodate apartment housing on top. This project re-imagines Campbelltown’s urban centre, proposing the break-down of the mall superblock to increase permeability throughout Campbelltown’s CBD. The proposal also leverages Campbelltown’s existing administrative and commercial services, proximity to key transport corridors and open space, and underutilised land to create a vibrant and resilient centre that prioritises pedestrian movement. Key spatial moves include the reconfiguration and upgrade of Hurley St, Queen St, and Oxley St to accommodate increased pedestrian space and tree canopy, with the additional introduction of dedicated cycleways and shared spaces, as well as dedicated bus lanes on Oxley St.
CAMPBELLTOWN MALL
Illustrative Masterplan
The re-imagining also seeks to connect the north of Campbelltown Station to the south through pedestrian bridges, improved usage of vacant land, and the naturalisation of Bow Bowing Creek. These elements of the proposal draw inspiration from various international precedents and examples to harmonise urban growth with adequate open space, improved ecological performance, and enhance civic vibrancy.
Context Mapping LUMINOCITY
NASHITA CHOUDHURY
ENHANCING CAMPBELLTOWN'S URBAN CENTRE. CAMPBELLTOWN, NSW
3D Model Masterplan
3D Shadow Study
Street Elevation Study UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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MINGLANG RITA CAI
CAMPBELLTOWN HOLDS A RICH AND EXTENSIVE HISTORY AND HAS MANY HERITAGE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO STRENGTHEN THE CENTRE'S CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY IDENTITY.
CAMPBELLTOWN MALL CAMPBELLTOWN, NSW As our cities grow to accommodate greater demand for housing, the role of commercial centres is also being reimagined to allow for mixed-uses and residential typologies. This urban design proposal presents an alternate vision for Campbelltown, one that is walkable, attractive, sustainable, and builds upon its existing character and environmental context. The proposal leverages Campbelltown’s proximity to transport, open space, infrastructure, and amenities to consider uplift whilst ensuring corresponding public benefit and responsive built forms. It draws from best practice and international precedents to ensure height transitions amidst a diversity of mid-rise and higher density, new active frontages and civic centre's, and appropriate supporting infrastructure. Highlights include: Significant public domain upgrades for existing major roads including footpath widening, swales, and planting zones.
Context Mapping - Flood Zones LUMINOCITY
Streetscape Visualisation
Precedent Study
3D Model Masterplan
Streetscape Visualisation UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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AN URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK FOR CARLINGFORD Carlingford Court shopping centre is located at the corner of Pennant Hills Road and Carlingford Road, two major primary structuring roads in northern Sydney. The shopping centre in its current form cannot support liveable future residential development on the site. It is an overwhelmingly vehicle-oriented centre due to its position at the interface of two major metropolitan roads, with limited levels of pedestrian accessibility from surrounding residential areas. Public open space options around the centre are limited and difficult to access due to the hilly topography of the locality. Furthermore, the immediate locality is undergoing significant development intensification, which will place pressure on the existing open space options and public transport network.
3D Model Masterplan
Therefore, this planning proposal aims to provide a structure for future residential growth on and around the Carlingford Court site that is cognisant of the challenges facing development in the locality. It illustrates the potential for Carlingford Court to be reimagined as a walkable centre of retail activity for the broader Carlingford locality.
CARLINGFORD, NSW ZENAS LISTER LUMINOCITY
Context Mapping - Zoning
Context Mapping - Open Space
Street Visualisation
Context Mapping
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Site Study
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WETHERILL PARK The final project of PLAN4002 proposes a transformative urban renewal of the study area, Wetherill Park. Understanding the current context of a fragmented public realm, where cohesive interaction and transportation with built and green environments are limited, the final masterplan responds by cultivating permeable, walkable linkages throughout the civic centre, as well as increased green public spaces, tree canopies, active frontages and residential infrastructures. Proposed streets will ensure widened pedestrian paths, cycling lanes, increased plantations, protective barriers between vehicles and individuals, and improved vehicle lanes are delivered.
Illustrative Masterplan
As seen through proposed pedestrian and cycling streets from the shopping centre to residential areas, individuals can experience “sticky streets”, allowing greater dedicated engagement with every active and green infrastructures. Supplementing this, several apartments, courtyards and ground floor retail spaces will integrate rooftop gardens, ensuring proposed developments will be green, sustainable and resilient to current climate challenges. Increased tree canopies along proposed parks, street parking and footpaths will mitigate urban heat issues, and provide essential shading and protection for individuals. Moreover, such residential developments will range from low to high densities, carefully transitioning from single-storey dwellings to greater housing opportunities for current and future residents. Widened footpaths will range from 2.1m-2.4m, allowing two-way and ease of connections to accommodate all pedestrians when travelling. Overall, this proposal will enhance greater connectivity between communities and place, further strengthening a cohesive, liveable urban precinct. LUMINOCITY
VIONNA WONG
TO CREATE A COHESIVE MIXED USE TOWN CENTRE THAT LINKS ALL OF THE KEY ATTRACTORS TOGETHER WITH A SINGLE IDENTITY. WETHERILL PARK, NSW
Context Mapping - Street Morphology
Shadow Study
Context Mapping - Walkability
Street Elevation Study
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DEGREE: Bachelor of City Planning (Honours) (class of 2018) CURRENT ROLE: Policy Director, Committee for Sydney
ESTELLE GRECH CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STUDY CITY PLANNING AT UNSW? Studying City Planning at UNSW was the best! I really enjoyed the diversity of subjects from sociology or urban design through to economics and law. You get a taste of so many different fields which means it’s always interesting and there’s something for everyone. I also loved the interdisciplinary subjects where you get to learn with students across the School, one of which was an architecture housing studio in Vienna that was life changing. The other thing that’s unique about studying City Planning at UNSW is that you’re with the same cohort of people throughout the whole four-year degree. This means you get to know your class really well, and generally you’ll keep bumping into them across your career. Some of my best friends today are people I met in my very first planning class. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM UNSW? The UNSW City Planning degree gave me a head start with its embedded practice year. My first job as a strategic planner at Fairfield City Council sparked my passion for people and place. I then joined a social planning consultancy, focusing on community LUMINOCITY
engagement and open space strategies. During COVID, my UNSW lecturer Michael Bishop recommended me for a role in Minister Rob Stokes’ office, where I advised on public spaces and urban design. It was a privilege to work with Rob, the Ministerial team and the public service at a time when there was a huge focus on public spaces and Active Transport. After that, I travelled to the US and Europe on a Churchill Fellowship to research how to design better cities for women and girls, a topic I explored in my final Honours year. Now, I work at the Committee for Sydney, an urban policy think tank, tackling key issues like planning, housing, and equity policy through research and advocacy. WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT ROLE LIKE, AND WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? At the Committee for Sydney, no day is the same, but it always starts with me scanning the papers for any new policy announcements and then riding my bike to the office. Typically, my day includes a lot of meetings with industry or the public service to give advice, collaborate on projects, or understand their perspective on policy issues. When I’m at my desk I’m researching and analysing data, writing
ALUMNI submissions or reports that seek to advocate for positive urban change. Other days I might be helping to curate events or facilitating panel discussions with a wide range of experts. Sometimes I may need to provide quotes on an issue for the newspaper or even a radio interview!
learn to navigate these challenges and think creatively to negotiate good outcomes for the community or your client—or ideally, both. This was also a skill that definitely came in handy when I found myself negotiating legislative amendments with the opposition or crossbench in NSW Parliament!
WHAT UNEXPECTED SKILLS DID YOU GAIN FROM YOUR DEGREE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN INTO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHY HAS IT BEEN SO VALUABLE?
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN STUDYING CITY PLANNING?
The planning degree is so great because it equips you with such a broad range of hard and soft skills, from GIS and ABS table builder to report writing or Adobe InDesign and Illustrator—all of which I use daily. But the most unexpected skill I’ve gained is negotiation. As a planner you’re taught to listen to the community, understand their needs, and find solutions that balance tradeoffs like building height versus privacy or live music versus residential complaints. Both in the degree and the practice year, you
Do it! If you’re curious about cities and a creative thinker, you won’t regret studying planning, it’s a bit of a hidden gem of a degree and career. It’s a specific field of study, yet at the same time gives you so many career paths to follow. Some of my friends are working in development assessment, data analytics, others in transport planning or policy roles like me. Regardless of whether you love numbers and maps, or research, writing and engaging with the community, there’s something for you.
How do we get more people cycling in Sydney? - Committee for Sydney
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BACHELOR OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT & PROPERTY UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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The UNSW Bachelor of Construction Management and Property is a three-year degree when studied full time. Equipping you with the skills and connections to turn your passions into a tangible and meaningful career, this degree is one of Australia’s most respected in its field. Throughout the world, our most iconic buildings and structures wouldn’t exist without inspired construction planning and execution. Complex construction projects need leaders who can meet the demands of a constantly evolving industry. During your study, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed for the management of property development, construction sites, projects, and quantity surveying. We place a strong emphasis on construction and property economics and management skills, including cost, time, human resources, organisational behaviour, risk management and information technology. For those who want to deepen their knowledge of construction management and property further, and enhance their careers, we also offer an optional one-year Bachelor of Construction Management and Property (Honours) degree, available after completing the three year program.
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YUXI MENG
PREFAB VS CONVENTIONAL THE CHALLENGES IN CONSUMERS’ PREFERENCES WHILE SELECTING BETWEEN PREFABRICATED AND CONVENTIONAL HOUSES IN THE HOMEBUILDER MARKET IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA. Background Statement: Prefabricated buildings have been implemented in many places such as Sweden, Singapore and other developed countries. Approximately 84% of buildings in Sweden are manufactured off-site. Starting from 2014, the Singapore government had mandated the inclusion of prefabricated bathrooms in all residential buildings owned by the government. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 163,836 new homes commenced construction in 2023, however, there are only 3-4% of new buildings each year constructed using prefabricated building systems. In November 2023, NSW government released a statement that it will put aside $10m in 2024 to explore modular housing. It is evident that the authorities are keen to roll out the prefabricated building to resolve the current housing crisis. Many literatures have outlined the benefits of prefabricated houses such as time saving, better quality, cost benefits, etc. compared with conventional houses.
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Problem Statement: Most renowned home builders such as Metricon Homes, McDonald Jones Homes, Rawson Homes are not offering prefabricated building solutions to their customers. Only a small group of homebuilders are promoting prefabricated construction technologies. Conventional on-site building systems seem still to be working well in NSW, even though they may involve the risk of delays and escalating costs in materials and labour. The reasons that prevent major home builders from adopting prefabricated construction systems are worth thinking about. Merely outlining the advantages of prefabricated buildings without adequate explanations for market acceptability is not prudent. There is a lack of studies investigating the market acceptance towards prefabricated dwellings in Australia.
Research Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the obstacles in consumer preference while selecting prefabricated houses and conventional houses. Furthermore, this paper will determine the specific demographic or group of buyers who are most likely to purchase prefabricated houses and suggest promotional techniques in the homebuilder market. Proposed Research Methods: There are two research methods adopted in this thesis. Surveys in the form of questionnaires will be sent out to the general public via Survey Monkey and real estate agent channels. The key data generated from this method will be analysed via quantitative methods to identify the significant variables or obstacles in relation to consumers’ decisionmaking. The respondents will be grouped into four categories: first home buyer, investor, down-sizer, and family owner.
Interviews with major homebuilders’ sales representatives and real estate agents will be conducted while collecting the survey data. Sales representatives from the major homebuilders and real estate agents are the key parties involved in providing recommendations and suggestions to potential buyers. Interview questions will be prepared based on a list of questions that consist of technical knowledge and potential feedback. The interview data gathered will be analysed using Nvivo Pro 12 with coding.
Research Planning UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Student Factory Visit, China
3D Immersive Site Demonstration LUMINOCITY
Construction Site Simulation UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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FRED KHOURI
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF CLT AND STEEL IN MID-RISE SUPERSTRUCTURES Background and Problem Statement: In the past two decades, there has been a growing trend for awareness around the impact of global warming, especially the detrimental role the construction industry plays. It has become increasingly apparent to recognise the importance of environmental sustainability in building design and construction. Stakeholders now have a growing interest in understanding the environmental performance of what was previously known as unconventional building materials and to now implement these as they strive to minimise the ecological impact of superstructures. This research will compare the environmental performance of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) with steel in mid-rise superstructures. Moreover, embodied carbon plays a significant role in buildings constructed with various different materials. Embodied carbon refers to the total amount of carbon emissions in relation to the construciton of a building. Through comparing CLT and steel in midrise superstructures, this research will aim to shed light on the environmental implications LUMINOCITY
of material selection and emphasise the potential of either CLT or steel as a sustainable construction method. Research Purpose: This research study aims to compare the environmental performance of CLT and steel in mid-rise superstructures, specifically analysing these two materials. The decision to focus on CLT and steel stems from the observation that the comparison of steel/concrete and CLT/ concrete is commonly addressed, whilst the contrast of CLT to steel has received relatively less attention over the past two decades. This comes from researching and reading many theses and research papers about the sustainability of different building products in a superstructure. Through undertaking this research, this thesis aims to provide valuable insights into the sustainability implications of choosing CLT and steel to help fill the knowledge gap for stakeholders. This study will analyse the parameters around these superstructure materials by assessing the performance of their carbon footprint, energy efficiency, thermal performance, and life cycle analysis, thus enabling
informed decision-making for sustainable mid-rise superstructures. As a result, this thesis has significant implications for all built environment stakeholders, including construction professionals, consultants, and developers. Proposed Research Method: The research method proposed for this thesis study will employ a mixed methods approach; this is a combination of both qualitative and quantitative and will adopt a case study research strategy. The case study will allow for a thorough analysis and in-depth exploration of the environmental performance of CLT in contrast to steel in mid-rise superstructures within their real-life contexts. It will involve collecting and analysing data from multiple forms of qualitative and quantitative sources, allowing a comprehensive insight into the sustainability implications of CLT and steel in mid-rise superstructures. The qualitative methods will involve interviews with various mid-rise construction industry stakeholders, such as architects, engineers, and sustainability managers. These interviews will provide this thesis with subjective perspectives, allowing the research to explore their experiences, attitudes, and perceptions related to CLT and steel. More qualitative data will be obtained through previous theses, research papers, industry reports, and case studies as they will offer additional information on the sustainability aspects of CLT and steel in mid-rise superstructures.
AI Generated Image of Timber UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Moreover, quantitative research will include surveys of the aforementioned individuals; this will be distributed to collect data on the specific aspects of environmental performance, such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, and thermal performance. The quantitative data will be analysed using SPSS or Excel to generate objective measurements and comparisons between CLT and steel. In terms of this thesis’ research philosophy, this study will align with pragmatism, which acknowledges the value of subjective experiences and objective measurements. Pragmatism will recognise the differences in methods and approaches that can be useful in understanding complex phenomena. By using qualitative methods to capture the subjective perspectives of all stakeholders and quantitative methods to illustrate the measurable parameters, this study will provide a holistic understanding of the environmental performance of CLT and steel in mid-rise superstructures. Thus, through the mixed methods case study approach and pragmatic research philosophy, this thesis will seek to engender informed decision-making whilst generating practical knowledge for sustainable mid-rise superstructures.
AI Generated Image of Timber Steel Structure 45
Construction Site Simulation
Student Site Visit LUMINOCITY
Raw Concrete Structure
Site Coordination
VR Tunnel Boring And Construction Simulation UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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ALUMNI DEGREE: Bachelor of Construction Management and Property (class of 2014) CURRENT ROLE: Operations Manager, Marr Contracting, Sydney
ERIN DOYLE CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STUDY CONSTRUCTION AT UNSW? The construction degree at UNSW is designed to ensure that you get as much industry exposure as possible, with the content we learnt being directly applicable to a future role in the industry. It was great to have lecturers that were current or ex-industry professionals, who could use real life stories and examples to demonstrate how knowledge could be applied. The content was also varied, ensuring that we could choose a section of the industry we liked, and UNSW really encouraged us to gain as much work experience as possible while still studying. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM UNSW? I have been very lucky since graduating (and even before graduating) to have worked on some amazing projects around Sydney. While I was still at UNSW, I got a Cadetship with Mirvac, where I remained for 12 years. I progressed through the ranks from Cadet to Site Engineer, Project Engineer, Senior Project Engineer and Project Manager, working across Infrastructure, Apartments and Commercial projects. More recently, I’ve accepted a role with Marr Contracting as Operations LUMINOCITY
Manager – taking the opportunity to expand my business skillset, along with experiencing new areas of the industry, including both local and international energy, mining and major infrastructure projects. WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT ROLE LIKE, AND WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? My current role is great – it’s very varied, and I get to interact with a whole range of people across the business. In saying that, I don’t have a ‘typical’ day – some days might be client meetings on project sites, some days could be in the office working on improving systems and processes, and other days may be project planning or project reviews. What every day does involve though is an amazing project, challenges to overcome, and various interactions with all sorts of roles in the industry – it’s certainly never boring.
ALUMNI WHAT UNEXPECTED SKILLS DID YOU GAIN FROM YOUR DEGREE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN INTO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHY HAS IT BEEN SO VALUABLE? An understanding of how broad the construction industry can be. An appreciation for different specialisations and roles that are needed and relied upon. A lot of people assume that construction is just so you can be a “Project Manager”, but that’s a misconception I don’t like – there are valuers, quantity surveyors, contracts managers, site managers and a whole host of other roles that are equally rewarding. UNSW taught me to have that respect for people who are experts in their craft, and I wouldn’t be successful now if I wasn’t able to identify those people and ensure that the right person is on my team.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN STUDYING CONSTRUCTION? To anyone that has an interest in construction, remember that the industry is so varied – no matter what your strengths, likes or dislikes are, the construction industry will be able to provide a very rewarding career. UNSW is the launchpad for that – use it to experience the people, the potential careers, the different facets of the industry and find something you love.
Marr Contracting
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BACHELOR OF DESIGN (COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN) UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Computational Design uses digital technologies to enhance and optimise design processes. Through algorithms and cutting-edge technologies computational designers develop creative, technical and aesthetic solutions to solve the challenges of the 21st century. This specialisation is offered in our UNSW Bachelor of Design degree. When you study computational design at UNSW, you’ll learn to approach challenges differently through design-thinking. You’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, including 3D modelling, digital geometry and parametric design, responsive environments, AR and VR, and robotic and digital fabrication using 3D printers and laser cutters. Through design thinking and computational design theory, you’ll hone critical-thinking and communication skills to create inclusive designs for diverse contexts. As part of our supportive Arts, Design & Architecture community, you’ll be encouraged to collaborate across disciplines, gain professional experience, and take advantage of programs that support entrepreneurship and innovation. You’ll have the opportunity to work on real-life projects set by UNSW’s partners in the built environment, architecture and design industries such as Cox, Arup, Hassell, BVN, Bates Smart, PTW Architects, Grimshaw, Mott McDonald, and Aurecon. Working at the intersection of design and technology, computational designers are in-demand. Your skills and ways of thinking will set you up for exciting career paths that engage with future digital built environments.
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Fiji generates around 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, of which only 10% is recycled, at the same time, its schools need ongoing upgrades to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. This project connects the two, converting post-consumer PET bottles into 3D printed roof trusses. A parametric Grasshopper script generates a modular truss system from any input roof surface, quantifying the feedstock weight and bottle count each structure requires. The modules snap together through reciprocal connections.
REFORMD: GIVING WASTE A NEW LIFE
3D Digital Visualisation
Three PETG material variants were analysed in Karamba3D against timber and steel. The results showed that strength was never the constraint but rather deflection. Findings releaved that the design for recycled plastic is determined by deflection limits, and material selection proved a more effective lever than geometry — glass-fibre reinforced PETG met the deflection target at 39% of the cross-section standard PETG required. 3D Digital Visualisation LUMINOCITY
CAITLIN HOR
CONVERTING POST-CONSUMER PET BOTTLES INTO 3D PRINTED ROOF TRUSSES.
3D Digital Visualisation
Workflow Methodology UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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AMELIA HOVILAI
NABU REAL DATA-BACKED INSIGHT INTO HOW BUILDINGS ARE ACTUALLY USED. NABU is a predictive occupancy dashboard built in collaboration with BVN Architecture. It connects occupancy sensors, live weather, and calendar data to predict how many people will show up to the office each day, and explain what’s actually driving that number, whether it’s the weather, a public holiday, or a scheduled studio event. Offices are designed around fixed headcount assumptions, but real attendance fluctuates constantly, and until now, nobody had the evidence to explain why. Tested across BVN’s Sydney and Brisbane studios, NABU consistently outperformed staff’s own attendance guesses, giving architects and facilities teams something they’ve never had before: real, data-backed insight into how their buildings are actually used, not just how they were designed to be used.
Scheme Logo LUMINOCITY
App Data Visualisation
Workflow Methodology UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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NOISE TO NEIGHBOURHOOD TESTING CONTESTED REGULATORY ASSUMPTIONS. Noise to Neighbourhood is an interactive decision-support dashboard that quantifies the economic and equity impact of rail corridor noise on residential land value along Sydney’s Western Line. Combining buildinglevel geometry, a noise propagation model calibrated against published acoustic measurements, and NSW’s own legislated EPA noise thresholds, the dashboard translates raw decibel exposure into a defensible land value depreciation estimate for every dwelling across three station precincts — Parramatta, Strathfield, and Redfern.
Workflow Methodology
A railway bonus toggle tests a contested regulatory assumption, while an equity overlay reveals the extent to which affordable housing is concentrated in the most noise-affected zones. Where acoustic consultants issue compliance reports and valuers apply informal discounts, Noise to Neighbourhood offers planners, developers, and residents a single, spatially resolved figure — replacing gut feel with something they can act on.
NAN SANDY SOE LUMINOCITY
App Data Visualisation
App Data Visualisation
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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VIBE CODING IN THE AEC INDUSTRY "HOW DO PRACTITIONERS AND AGENTIC SYSTEMS CONVERGE ON A SHARED MENTAL MODEL THROUGH ITERATIVE VIBE CODING, AND WHAT DESIGN MECHANISMS ACCELERATE THAT CONVERGENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL WORKFLOWS?"
Workflow Methodology
Vibe coding's recent surge has made Al-generated tools ubiquitous, yet architectural practice struggles to make the most use of it. The AEC vibe-coding framework uses mental-model theory to develop a structured framework. A practitioner describes what they need in plain language. The framework turns that into an editable statement of intent, checks in at each step as the tool is assembled, and hands back a plan to review before anything runs, keeping the practitioner in the loop. The question is how a practitioner and an Al arrive at the same understanding of a work- flow while the tool is still being built, and what speeds that up. Working with three practitioners at a large AEC firm, three tools were built and tested to find what holds true across workflows.
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JAMES PETRY
Workflow Methodology
App Data Visualisation and Process UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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ALUMNI DEGREE: Bachelor of Computational Design (class of 2020) CURRENT ROLE: Computational Designer, Cox Architecture, Sydney
DANIELLE BISAZZA CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STUDY COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN AT UNSW?
WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT ROLE LIKE, AND WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Studying Computational Design at UNSW was an enriching experience surrounded by talented peers and teaching staff. The curriculum covered a variety of topics from data analytics to digital fabrication. I was also provided with opportunities to collaborate with other organisations, expanding my experience and network during my studies.
As a computational designer I model and analyse building data to develop meaningful processes that solve complex design problems. A typical day involves collaborating with my colleagues, addressing any problems they have and coming up with solutions together (with plenty of coffee included). Due to the nature of this work, every day is unique, presenting new challenges and continuous learning opportunities.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM UNSW? Since graduating from UNSW, I’ve used my studies as a foundation to become valuable within my company – Cox Architecture in Sydney. My career began in signage and wayfinding and has since expanded into lots of different sectors, including residential, transport and planning. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to give back by tutoring at universities, sharing my knowledge and experience with others.
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WHAT UNEXPECTED SKILLS DID YOU GAIN FROM YOUR DEGREE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN INTO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHY HAS IT BEEN SO VALUABLE? One unexpected skill I gained from my degree that has been invaluable in my current role is the ability to apply logical thinking to architectural design problems. This skill allows me to approach challenges from a different perspective, leading to innovative and efficient solutions. Additionally, building connections with others during my studies has proven immensely beneficial. These relationships have provided ongoing support, collaboration opportunities, and access to a wealth of
ALUMNI knowledge and expertise that continues to enhance my professional growth to this day. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN STUDYING COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN? If you’re interested in studying Computational Design, my advice is to go for it! This degree not only provides a strong foundation in computational techniques but also complements other skills you already possess. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows you to integrate your existing knowledge with new, cutting-edge tools and thinking, enhancing your overall capabilities.
Sydney Metro Gadigal Integrated Station Development and Over Station Development.
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BACHELOR OF DESIGN (INDUSTRIAL DESIGN)
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Industrial Design is the professional practice of designing the products we use every day. Also known as product designers, industrial designers explore solutions to ensure products meet marketing, manufacturing, and functional requirements. This specialisation is offered in our UNSW Bachelor of Design degree. Industrial design combines design thinking, materials knowledge, production technologies, human factors, and sustainability to create products that lead to a better quality of life. When you study Industrial Design at UNSW, you’ll be inspired and challenged to use insightful and strategic product design for the good of people and the planet. Through practical studio classes and theoretical courses, you’ll develop design skills in drawing, ideation, making, prototyping, and digital visualisation as you learn about manufacturing processes, user interaction, environmental and social responsibility, and more. As part of our creative Arts, Design & Architecture community, you’ll be encouraged to collaborate across disciplines, and take advantage of programs that support entrepreneurship and innovation. Through our strong industry links, you’ll be able to gain real-world professional experience and connect with design leaders. As a graduate of Industrial Design, you’ll also be eligible for membership with the Design Institute of Australia (DIA). Industrial design sets you up for careers that combine innovation and creativity, with technology and business. Your experience across the breadth of the design process will set you up for a successful and diverse career.
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Most wireless earbuds are designed for disposal and thrown away when the battery degrades. Re:Pair modular earbuds embrace a Design for Repair philosophy by making repair intuitive and built into the design. Featuring replaceable batteries and a simple disassembly system for easy upgrades and maintenance. The silicone strap, push-to-open cap, and water-resistant case provide tactile interaction while protecting components from daily wear.
RE:PAIR
Concept Render
Re:Pair demonstrates how thoughtful product design can empower users and redefine how we care for small consumer electronics. By extending the lifespan of everyday devices, Re:Pair reduces environmental impact through product longevity, shifting consumer intention from throw-away culture to responsible ownership and encouraging a deeper, more lasting connection between users and their products. Concept Render LUMINOCITY
QUINCE SO
REPAIRABLE AUDIO FOR EVERYDAY USE.
Design Operation Detail
Design Operation Detail
Design Operation Detail UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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ARPAD BOGDAN
COFFEE JUICER SIMPLE ESPRESSO FOR EVERYDAY BREWING. For most people, making coffee at home is complicated and stressful. The Coffee Juicer is a reimagined manual espresso maker designed for beginners, guided by the principles of confidence, clarity, and simplicity. It’s made for everyday users who find traditional machines intimidating, expensive and impractical, simplifying the process by removing unnecessary parts and utilising what you already own. Optimised for a precise 1.5-shot extraction (12–14 g dose), it delivers a rich, balanced espresso with forgiving consistency. Its spring-powered piston is activated through a twistable knob and ratchet mechanism, providing mechanical satisfaction and precise, consistent pressure. A two-layer basket integrates tamping and showerscreen functions, simplifying preparation while ensuring a cleaner, faster brew. Approachable, intuitive, and iconic, it redefines home espresso, making it simple, mechanical, and truly for everyone.
Exploded Detail Axonometric LUMINOCITY
Concept Render
Concept Render
Design Operation Detail UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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EQUA Design solutions for sensory processing differences often focus on children, leaving adults without suitable options, especially in overstimulating open-plan workplaces where stress and discomfort are common. This project asks: How might we design a task chair that supports adults with sensory processing differences while remaining desirable and usable for everyone? Developed through co-design with neurodivergent adults and experts, including an occupational therapist, neuro-inclusion consultant, and designers from Vitra and Wilkhahn, the Equa chair embeds sensory strategies within a refined, ergonomic form. Arms fold out into weighted lap pads for grounding, a toggleable three-dimensional dynamic-tilt seat pan relieves restlessness through movement, and an adjustable cocooning headrest provides acoustic and visual relief. Aligned with core ergonomic principles, these features enhance posture, comfort, and focus, while limited components, easy disassembly, and removable covers extend the product’s lifespan.
Concept Render
SENSORY COMFORT FOR FOCUSED WORK.
CHRISTINA CHEN LUMINOCITY
Concept Render
Design Operation Detail
Design Operation Detail UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Baking often presents challenges such as inconsistent results, excessive mess, and difficulty managing timing. Flutter is designed to address these issues through a simple yet innovative solution tailored to novice bakers. At its core, it functions as a mixer, but redefines the appliance as an all in one baking system equipped with a built in touchscreen, digital scale, and timer. Its removable lid, spatula accessories, and butterfly shaped flat beater ensure efficient, precise, and mess free mixing. Integrated cable management within the base maintains a tidy workspace, while the availability of multiple colour variations broadens its appeal to a wider audience. By consolidating multiple tools into a single bowl, the design minimizes clutter and simplifies cleanup. Flutter encourages independent learning, helping beginners build confidence, develop essential skills, and take pride in every bake.
FLUTTER
Concept Render
Detail Render LUMINOCITY
Exploded Detail Axonometric
RENEE SIBENALER
BAKING MADE SIMPLE AND CONFIDENT.
Detail Operation Render
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ALUMNI
DEGREE: Bachelor of Industrial Design (class of 2015) CURRENT ROLE: Industrial Designer, Apple Inc., California USA
MARCUS LEE CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STUDY INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AT UNSW?
along at an Australian design consultancy I adored – Nielsen Design. Under the wing of legendary designer Adam Laws, I spent 3 Studying Industrial Design at UNSW was such wonderful years learning from and working a stimulating and exciting time for me. Each with the talented team there. Then in 2019, the semester I was being exposed to new areas and concepts that really fed my curiosity. I also opportunity to join Apple in California came up and it was simply something I had to pursue. It fondly remember learning from and creating has been 5 years at Apple now and it has been such great relationships with many of my an absolute dream. I often think back about lecturers. Relationships which eventually led Australia and how much I’ve grown and learnt me to fantastic professional opportunities. The UNSW campus also has a special place in since graduating, it’s quite surreal and I’m my heart. I grew up and lived very close by and always grateful for where I am today. as a child, attending UNSW was a dream of mine. It has and always will be a very special WHAT UNEXPECTED SKILLS DID YOU GAIN place for me. FROM YOUR DEGREE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN INTO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHY HAS IT BEEN SO VALUABLE? CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER A big part of Industrial Design is knowing a SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM UNSW? little bit about a lot of things and having such My first job came about from a little design a wide range of exposure during my studies competition that was being held within one of has helped a lot. For instance, working with our classes. I was fortunate enough to win that engineers on our solar car project gave me competition which was being sponsored and valuable insights, enhancing my collaboration judged by an external company ‘Watermark skills with different disciplines. Classes on Products’ who specialised in products for the marketing taught me how the products that I’m aviation industry. This led to an internship, then designing fit into an actual real-world business a part-time role, eventually cumulating into fullstrategy, while even the statistics class in my time role straight after graduation. first semester provided a solid foundation for interpreting and relying on data that informs It wasn’t too long until an opportunity came
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ALUMNI design decisions. Everything feeds back into who I am, and eventually what I do every day in my job. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN STUDYING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN? If you have a curiosity for how things work, the passion to make things better and the desire to connect the dots of the world in creative ways then Industrial Design is for you. I’ll admit, I wasn’t immediately confident in my choice of degree; it took about a year into the program before I truly felt that Industrial Design was right for me. However, today I can’t imagine how foolish I would have been to pursue anything else, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to do this for a living.
Industrial design studio work by Marcus Lee
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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BACHELOR OF INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE (HONOURS)
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
The Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours) at UNSW is a four-year full-time degree, where you’ll learn how to create the interior environments in which we live, work and play. Through a combination of creative thinking and making, you’ll study and work within a design community that collectively reimagines and reshapes the interior environments within our homes, workspaces and cities. From the manipulation of the spatial, material and structural elements of a space to exploring interior architecture through theory and practice, you’ll graduate with the confidence and work experience you need to take the next step in your interior architecture journey.
In this course, Country-centred knowledge and activities were developed by Associate Professor Bernadette (B) Hardy (Dharug Gamilaraay) with guidance from Aunty Leanne ‘Mulgo’ Watson (Dharug), Uncle Tim Bishop (Murrawarri), Dr. Gillian Barlow (Kaurna Barkindji), Annisa Jones (Burubirangal Dharug), and Country as teacher (Dharug, Dharawal, Bidgigal, Gadigal, Wangal). Cultural knowledge is embedded in all work. In respect of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Cultural Law/Lore, please acknowledge First Nations contributors if work is shared. UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Interior architecture has long practised the removal of lives. Grass cleared. Ecosystems stripped. Habitat erased. Buildings are built to resist weathering and decay, where growth is considered contamination. Returning Ground is a more-than human learning space that refuses that instinct. It welcomes grass as people, lets weather write itself into its surfaces, and treats decay not as failure, but participation. The spaces here exchange with humans and non-humans that move through them.
THE CENTRE OF RETURNING GROUND
Interior Perspective
That coexistence extends to how people use the space, where skills that the classroom never taught, such as knitting, sewing, and woodworking, are integrated into the structure itself. The handcrafted structures and woven walls all tell stories, allowing all to leave their traces and feel like they belong.
Exterior Perspective LUMINOCITY
VY LE
THE HANDCRAFTED STRUCTURES AND WOVEN WALLS ALL TELL STORIES. WHITE BAY POWER STATION ROZELLE, NSW
Interior Perspective
Interior Detail UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Design Detail 77
ESME DURKAN
BEFORE THE TIDE GOES OUT A TIDAL GROUND OF REPAIR, WHERE POLLUTED INDUSTRIAL EARTH IS CLEANSED, ANCESTRAL WATERWAYS ARE REAWAKENED, AND THE HARBOUR'S LIVING EDGE ONCE AGAIN BECOMES A PLACE OF PLAY, MEMORY AND GATHERING. WHITE BAY POWER STATION, ROZELLE, NSW White Bay is a site that was geologicall and hydrologically filled with water from "Sydney Harbour" an ancient valley inundated by water some 7000 years ago. In this design, waters rise as users enter the space with their tide turn device tracking company. The flooding is no longer a passive process but a direct consequence of those who inhabit it... a civic flood.
Interior Perspective LUMINOCITY
Site Isometric
Concept Diagram and Site Section
Concept Diagram
Interior Perspective and Detail UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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THE WATERING HOLE THESE NOTIONS OF EXPRESSION, TACTILITY AND CONNECTION BECOME THE CORE DRIVING ANCHORS OF THE PROJECT’S IDENTITY. WHITE BAY POWER STATION, ROZELLE, NSW The design is an exploration into tactility and agency as key anchors in activating cultural infrastructure, driving connection and community with Country. It redefines and dynamically activates the space through its users both human and non-human.
Exterior Perspective
‘The Watering Hole’ reignites White Bay Power Station into a thriving cultural hub for youth creativity and belonging, making noise by giving overlooked voices a place for creative expression. It demonstrates how promotion of third places and providing accessible creative infrastructure grounded in agency and physicality creates a space that combats youth isolation, supports mental health and forges lasting connections and relationships with each other and Country.
ELLA COLEMAN
LUMINOCITY
Interior Perspective
Interior Perspective
Isometric
Exploded Isometric
Site Section
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ANASTASIA REHAYEM
A PLACE TO GATHER, SPEAK AND BE HEARD. WHITE BAY POWER STATION, ROZELLE, NSW
THE PEOPLE'S TOWN HALL
Exterior Perspective
Site Section
A civic space designed around the idea that belonging is actively created through participation dialogue and collective action. Through spaces for listening, speaking and gathering, The People’s Town Hall transforms White Bay Power Station into a place where diverse voices are heard, shared and celebrated.
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Concept Diagram
Interior Perspective
Interior Perspective
Exterior Perspective UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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ALUMNI
DEGREE: Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours) (class of 2019) CURRENT ROLE: Associate – Interior Designer, 3XN Architects, Sydney
DIANA ESPIRITU CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STUDY INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AT UNSW?
WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT ROLE LIKE, AND WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Emotional and challenging – design involving the body and mind. Rewarding – it was fulfilling to create tangible objects and projects. Supporting and social – my best friends have come out of this degree.
I typically work on larger interior architecture projects across all project stages. Tasks during the front-end design phase consist of client and stakeholder workshops, internal design reviews, 3D modelling and presentation work. Back-end phases consist of BIM (Building Information Modelling), compiling variations, services coordination, and site visits (the exciting part!).
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM UNSW? My career officially began as a student working for Bates Smart where I worked on a mix of typologies such as commercial workplace and multi-residential. I then worked for Woods Bagot where I focused on the education sector, including public schools and universities. I recently moved to 3XN (Sydney) where I will be working on a range of projects across the Asia-Pacific region, including a few projects surfacing in Japan. I am most excited to pursue evidence-based design by collaborating with 3XN’s research studio GXN who are based in Copenhagen.
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WHAT UNEXPECTED SKILLS DID YOU GAIN FROM YOUR DEGREE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN INTO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHY HAS IT BEEN SO VALUABLE? Personal branding and storytelling skills. Personal branding is a way of showing people what you stand for. By creating a brand around my values, I have been able to expand my network to people that share similar aspirations, including peers, collaborators, and potential clients.
ALUMNI WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN STUDYING INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE? Be ready for life-long learning and understand that the knowledge and skills you pick up are transferable across different disciplines, industries, and roles.
Workplace design in Fukuoka, 3XN Architects
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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BACHELOR OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE (HONOURS)
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Are you ready to shape tomorrow’s landscapes? Landscape architects design and plan the landscapes that shape everyday life—from our streets and public spaces to waterways, neighbourhoods and regional ecosystems. UNSW’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture is a four-year, full-time degree, professionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. At UNSW, you’ll learn to analyse and design landscapes through hands-on making, digital modelling, and fabrication. You’ll explore ecology, materials and the natural systems that shape our cities and regions, learning to design for the ecological and social health of the places where you live, work and play. Sydney will become your living laboratory. You’ll work on real-world projects on sites undergoing change in the Sydney region, engaging with local governments, communities and industry to investigate complex challenges and propose new possibilities for their future. In our design studios, you’ll join a community of students, award-winning educators, researchers and industry professionals who will help you build your skills, networks and design identity. You’ll graduate ready to begin a career using landscape architecture to transform our cities and shape a more sustainable and just future.
In this course, Country-centred knowledge and activities were developed by Associate Professor Bernadette (B) Hardy (Dharug Gamilaraay) with guidance from Aunty Leanne ‘Mulgo’ Watson (Dharug), and Country as teacher (Dharug, Dharawal, Bidgigal, Gadigal, Wangal). Cultural knowledge is embedded in all work. In respect of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Cultural Law/Lore, please acknowledge First Nations contributors if work is shared.
UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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How can the Urban Public Domain function to support coexistence between Wolli Creek, Grey Headed Flying Fox and Humans? This project explores the concept of ‘ecological reciprocity’ and its function to support species beyond humans.
COEXISTENCE IN THE URBAN PUBLIC DOMAIN
Site Plan
Concept Diagram LUMINOCITY
Concept Diagram
ADON HALE
WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THE GREY HEADED FLYING FOXES? WOLLI CREEK, NSW
Site Plan
Perspective UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Design Detail 89
KATERINA KALOGERAKIS
CREEKSIDE CONNECTIONS CELEBRATING THE WOLLI CREEK VALLEY WOLLI CREEK, NSW How can we celebrate the rich cultural and ecological heritage of Wolli Creek and enhance peoples' relationship with it? How do we celebrate and connect? We can celebrate and connect by: Creating a vibrant and active corridor that captures the essence of Wolli Creek. Repurposing industrial land to support a range of social, cultural and educational functions.
Perspective Collage
Reclaiming industrial land for ecological regeneration.
Perspective Collage LUMINOCITY
Masterplan
Concept Collage
Site Section
Site Section and Vegetation Palette UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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STORY THROUGH STONE
HOW CAN TURRELLA’S RAILWAY CORRIDOR BE REIMAGINED INTO A BIODIVERSE LINK THAT RECONNECTS THIS DIVIDED SUBURB AND REVEALS THE VALLEY'S HISTORY THROUGH SANDSTONE? WOLLI CREEK, NSW Sandstone is clever and enduring, it sparkles with tiny quartz grains, each glittering layer a page in a storybook recording millions of years of change. In Turrella, the sandstone sits hidden and the valley lies scarred by hands of development and the railway. Yet its beauty can still be seen and celebrated. From cliffs to cottages, the material drawn from this land reflects the deep story of sandstone, the earth's flesh.
Perspective Collage
SOPHIA ESPINA LUMINOCITY
Concept Diagram
Research Diagram
Research Diagram UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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The Bird Bath at Barangaroo is a design concept rooted in recognising the significant contributions ornithological elements of landscapes make to the unique experience of a place. Designing for more than the human experience has become the central guiding principle of this design; all planting has taken into consideration what it provides in the way of bird habitat. One species in particular has been kept in mind - the Channel-Billed Cuckoo. This unique bird is not only a migratory bird which relies on habitat existing in this area to retain migration routes, but also has a habit of brood parasitism. Because of this unique parasitic strategy, designing for the cuckoo demands designing for a plethora of host species as well, meaning the target is a thriving, diverse ecosystem targeting several bird species.
THE BIRD BATH
Site Plan
Through returning the cuckoo to the site along with host species such as the Pied Curwong, the population of all birds should explode. As a result of this, the human experience of Barangaroo would be greatly impacted.
Site Section LUMINOCITY
ARCHIE MOSS
A PARTIALLY SUBMERGED AMPHITHEATRE, SURROUNDED BY THICK VEGETATION TO CREATE A SENSE OF ISOLATION TO ACCOMPANY THE CHORUS OF BIRDSONG. BARANGAROO, NSW
Site Isometric Sections UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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ALUMNI DEGREE: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours) (class of 2006) CURRENT ROLE: Director, Director of New Business McGregor Coxall, Sydney
ANN DENG CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STUDY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AT UNSW? It was a golden period in my life when I began the journey of building a career that I will love for a lifetime. As an international student (and I believe I can speak on behalf of many), I struggled to understand what I was learning in my first year due to the language barrier. Although I was a good illustrator, I initially found it difficult to express my ideas verbally. I soon learned that in landscape architecture, the story and principles of good design begin with knowing how to convince your audience. Fortunately, I received endless support from my tutors and peers, who helped me bounce ideas and refine my designs. I had a million questions every day, but they were always answered in the end. It was remarkable to be able to grow and learn as a blank page while having fun at the same time. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER SINCE YOU GRADUATED FROM UNSW? In the first few years, I was exposed to all kinds of projects at different stages. I began by supporting my project managers with technical production, learning by updating their markups, and observing and learning through client meetings. During this period, I gained LUMINOCITY
a deeper understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses, which was key to shaping my career direction. After 2-3 years of gaining experience with the full cycle of deliverables, I was entrusted with small projects to manage. Gradually, I took on larger and more complex projects. By about the fifth year of my career, I began mentoring the younger team members around me, passing on my knowledge. I managed the team on a weekly basis, overseeing resourcing, finances, and training. I accomplished all this with continuous support from my key mentors—directors and other senior roles— ensuring that I was on the right track. The highlight of my career was seeing the projects come to life on site! I think it was around year 5 I saw the first built project when I was the project manager. I’ve recently started working part-time while leading Global Quality Assurance, collaborating with leaders to ensure all processes are in place. At this point, our company had grown to over 150 employees, making it a challenging role, as not everyone likes to be told they haven’t done something correctly—but that is the key to this role.
ALUMNI WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT ROLE LIKE, AND WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? For the past nine months, I have been involved in strategic decisions for the company as a director. I have a dual role of being the Quality Assurance Lead as well as Director. I continue to work with all leaders on operations, company structure, design quality. There is always something of the company processes and systems needing to be refined. My day involves lots of meetings when I assess, listen, engage, action and monitor. WHAT UNEXPECTED SKILLS DID YOU GAIN FROM YOUR DEGREE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN INTO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHY HAS IT BEEN SO VALUABLE? Communication and negotiation are key. I have worked on some of the most political and complex projects, some involving over 200 designers (architects, engineers, planners, government stakeholders, etc.) within a single project, each believing their approach is the best. It is essential to know when to move forward and when to step back, as well as when to leverage other expertise to
get your ideas endorsed. Communication and negotiation are forms of design. I have developed my own “style” of communicating my design ideas to gain the support of clients and consultants. Working closely with contractors to ensure a high-quality built outcome is also a learning process in itself. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN STUDYING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE? Be a sponge and absorb as much knowledge as you can from your tutors and peers. Asking questions doesn’t make you stupid; it makes you brave. Starting work experience as soon as possible really helps in finding your career direction within the industry (and it also helps you find a job more quickly after you graduate). Work well with your team and support each other—it’s a small industry, so try to make some good friends. When tough times come, remind yourself of the passion you had on day one. Most importantly, have fun!
Aerial view of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ new SANAA-designed building, 2022, photo © Iwan Baan
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INTERNATIONAL COURSES & EXPERIENCES UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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At UNSW Built Environment, we offer all our students exciting and impactful learning opportunities in cities around the world. Students can take a term, or even a whole year, on exchange at our many partner institutions, or take a summer intensive course abroad for a few weeks. In our international courses students learn to analyse, document and interpret the local urban condition and design novel responses that address social, cultural and environmental factors. Site and construction visits allow interaction first-hand with technologies, culture, methods, techniques and practices within a local context. During these courses students have the opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers from international universities, and with local architects, designers, builders, planners and communities to tackle global challenges, and make a positive impact on cities around the world.
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Internation Site Visit In China
Students in Venice
Students in Hong Kong
Street Life Studies Course in Cambodia LUMINOCITY
Students in Kyoto
Street Life Studies Course In Cambodia
Students on the Train to Busan, Korea
Students at the Anganwadi Project in India UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Street Life Studies Course in Cambodia
Visit to Shibuya, Tokyo 101
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DESIGN FUTURES LAB
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Design Futures Lab Making is a key part of learning in our Built Environment degrees. This involves the creation of physical models and artifacts that support the analysis, design and communication of buildings, cities and products. Making takes place in our Design Futures Lab (DFL) which provides students with access to robotic fabrication tools, a wood workshop, digital fabrication and laser cutting, 3D printing facilities, a metal workshop, plastics workshop, casting facilities and much more! Students are taught to use this equipment in one of the first courses – allowing them build models throughout their time at UNSW, and hone their skills across their degrees. Through training they gain ‘badges’ to demonstrate they have the skills to safely and effectively use our network of materials, machines and spaces. The Design Futures Lab is part of the UNSW ‘Making Network’, the largest network of connected makerspaces and workshops in Australia. A network of genuine collaboration and shared values. These values focus on the principle of barrier free access to tools and tech for all students, staff and external partners. Watch a video about the Design Futures Lab here:
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Design Futures Lab Staff
Timber Site Model
Large-scale Robotic 3D Printing
Preparing Plastic Sheets
Laser Cutting Lab
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Students at the DFL
Forming Recycled Plastic UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Using the robots at the DFL 105
Metal Workshop Hand Forming Fuel Tank
CNC Routing LUMINOCITY
Metal Workshop Welding
Clay 3D Printing Robotics
Metal Workshop
3D Print Lab UNSW BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Environmental Statement At UNSW Built Environment we have a commitment to ensuring all our students gain the knowledge, skills and empathy to tackle the climate crisis in their chosen careers. We also recognise that our actions as an institution have an impact on the environment. Knowing this, steps have been taken to reduce the environmental impact of the Luminocity exhibition. These include: 1. Luminocity plinths and panels are designed as a ‘kit-of-parts’. This means they can be dismantled, stored and reassembled for future exhibitions, minimising waste. 2. All the exhibition components are mechanically fixed together with cardboard, requiring no adhesives or tape. 3. Printing is directly onto the cardboard, minimising the use of plastics, paper and vinyl. 4. All the cardboard is Australian made, 100% recycled, and sourced locally. 5. At the end of the cardboard’s life, it will either be used to make student models in our studios or sent to a local facility, pulped, and turned into new sheets of cardboard by the manufacturer. 6. UNSW sources all electricity used on campus from the Sunraysia Solar farm (located in Balranald, south-west NSW) using photovoltaics technology developed here at UNSW.
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CREDITS Exhibition Design and Development: James Hargrave, ABSTRACT8 www.abstract8.com.au Exhibition Delivery and Curation Luis Zaldy Gito Luminocity Coordinator UNSW School of Built Environment Student Work Collection and Curation: Dr Cristina Ramos Jaime Lecturer, Computational Design UNSW School of Built Environment
Branding and Graphic Design: Tom Douglas, Tom Douglas Design
Suppliers LiteCorp: Cardboard Supply Photomart Printing and Framing: Material cutting and Printing Carbon8: Catalogue Printing
Thank you to all the students who were selected and contributed their work to this year’s Luminocity exhibition and to all the staff and industry partners who supported our students in 2026.
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Luminocity 2026 Exhibition Modules
LUMINOCITY COPYRIGHT 2026 SCHOOL OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT UNSW SYDNEY ISBN 978 0 7334 3999 5