Place Makers Job Kit

CAREERS

withSTEM JOB KIT ™

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Place makers Discover how to build your career in architecture, interior design and landscape architecture

I CRICOS No. 00213J I ©QUT 2025 27080

TEQSA Provider ID PRV12079 Australian University

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I want to take what it means to be Indigenous into a future career as an interior designer. Hopefully, I can be a catalyst for other young Indigenous students interested in studying built environment.

JEROME WU

Interior design student and Blaklash Scholarship recipient

Make a positive impact Study architecture and built environment Learn how to design, plan and manage natural and built environments to improve sustainability and community health and wellbeing.

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FOREWORD

Create your dream career r in architecture, Shape the future with a caree architecture interior design, or landscape

A SHUTTERSTOCK

role in our rchitecture plays a vital ustry is ind ing ild economy. The bu ployers em t ges lar a’s one of Australi our field has – which also means that h society and the a significant impact on bot environment.

Associate Professor Mirko Guaralda QUT School of Archite ctur & Built Environment e

bedding Now more than ever, em design is essential. sustainable principles in to create buildings We have a responsibility ming and enhance and spaces that are welco llbeing. community health and we tecture and Built At QUT’s School of Archi ng a wealth of Environment, our staff bri ering diverse off international experience, invite industry rly ula perspectives, and we reg with students to offer colleagues to collaborate ts. valuable, real-world insigh us on cutting edge foc g on str a e We also hav research, always technology and applied sustainable processes exploring new tools and to stay ahead. field of architecture I’ve been involved in the ortunity to work opp for 20 years. I’ve had the and stakeholders with local communities into meaningful as ide ir to transform the , both in Australia and tangible public spaces sion and curiosity and overseas, and my pas never fades.

As a professor at QUT, my role is just as diverse and rewarding. I support students in building their own architecture careers – encouraging them to stay curious, explore new ideas and embrace real-world challenges. You could join by studying a QUT Bachelor of Architectural Design or Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) to gain the skills, insight and hands-on experience you need.

Everything you need to know about working as an architect, interior designer or landscape architect is in this kit. Discover what it takes to build a successful career and learn about the exciting opportunities that await you.

I still make a conscious effort to learn about new cities, places and buildings”

Dr Mirko Guaralda, Associate Professor, QUT School of Architecture & Built Environment

Check out CareerswithSTEM.com for more insights, information, inspiration and advice about a career in architecture!

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PLACE MAKERS

DEEP DIVE

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Design your future Dr dan nyandega landscape architect and qut Lecturer

T

he world is changing. It demands true sustainability, clima te resilience and inclusive design for all. A career in architect ure means yo u can be a part of that change, using yo ur creativit y and innovation to design the cities and spaces of tomorrow. You can lite rally help create a better world. Inspired?

Keep reading...

will be driving change s a landscape architect you around the world. in your local community and jects, with different You’ll work on different pro Every project is a new and clients, in different places. exciting challenge. rs and landscape Architects, interior designe n of immediate ctio rse architects work at the inte future challenges. ial ent pot and real-world challenges optimise design and You’ll be leading the drive to k computational design, construction processes. Thin ding design and the use of digital fabrication, smart buil robotics in construction. highly imaginative people This is a chance to work with means you’ll always be ch whi across multiple disciplines, nge. learning and progressing cha School of Architecture and r, ture Dr Dan Nyandega, Lec Built Environment, QUT

Create A amazing spaces

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chitectural* r a e h t f o e ralia 550 The siz t in Austutra e k r a m l-ser vices/ s e ic ec ch it serv ndustr y/ar

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Chris on…

From the pros

Claudia Cuttriss t Interior Design studen

Claudia Cuttriss is a QUT interior design student and dreams of landing her dream job as production designer on a big Hollywood film.

Chris Jenkinson studied both a Bachelor and Master of Architecture at QUT and has since scored a full-time role at KIRK Studio.

What do they think about studying at QUT... ?

Uni highlight… “The access to cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art reso urces and the expertise of faculty members and professors!”

Graduating… “I learnt advanc ed skills that meant I could confidently tac kle complex design challenges and excel in professional architecture studios.”

Job perks… “Witnessing my ideas take shape. I’ve enjoyed collaboratin g with talented peers and industry prof essionals.”

SHUTTERSTOCK

Claudia on…

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Coolest uni project… “For a group assignment I had the opportunity to wor k alongside charity Orange Sky Australia. We wer e tasked with delivering a design brief tha t addressed the increase in unhoused youth – a laundry ser vice on uni campuses which exis ts now in real life!”

Uni life… “QUT has a real sen se of community.

I’ve made friends, and I fee l like I belong here!”

Studying design … “I love the versatility. My units have covered everyth ing from sustainable and accessible design to the psychology of colours and lighting – it’s all fascinating!”

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Chris Jenkinson te, Architectural Gradua KIRK Studio

choose your career Becoming an architect, interior designer or landscape architect helps build a future that’s sustainable, healthy and tech-driven

Architect

Interior designer

an Architects, interior designers t some landscape architects are jus en it of the pieces in the puzzle wh t. jec pro comes to a place-making h wit You’ll also work side-by-side contributors including: • Builders • Clients • Construction managers • Engineers bility • Environmental & sustaina officers • Land developers • Project managers • Real estate agents • Tradespeople

• Urban & regional planning supervisors

Interior designers bring an eye for detail, technical know-how and excellent communication skills to design beautiful spa ces that improve people’s lives.

An empathetic approach is nee ded to combine knowledge of sus tainable materials, building cod es, social impact, wellbeing, crea tivity and design thinking to small-scale projects like reta il and restaurants to large-sc ale projects like hotels, hospitals and airports. Their highly det ailed drawings form the basis for the construction of interior environments that are healthy , inclusive and sustainable.

Study this at QUT: Bachelor of Built Environment (Honou rs) (Interior Design)

Landscape Architect

Applying design fundament als to create beautiful, liveable spaces is just as important outdoors as indoors. Conside ring impacts on biodiversity, wea ther and green space is ess ent ial for a landscape architect. Lan dscape architects design attractive and functional spa ces within both natural and built landscapes. Projects can incl ude planning and designing public parks, gardens, residen tial areas, campuses and public spaces.

Study this at QUT: Bachelor of Built Environment (Honou rs) (Landscape Architecture)

Project Manager

A project manager heads up the whole team – making sure plans stay on track (and to budget) . Coordinating stakeholders, resources and goals is all in a day’s work, along with ensurin g projects are responsive to com munity needs and addressing issues of access and sustainabil ity. You’ll find project managers at the head of designi ng functional public spaces, planning transportat The Gold Coa ion systems and st’s Home of drafting development propos the Arts (H shakes up ev als.

OTA) erything we thought we about urban Stu dy this at QUT k : Bac n helo ew r of Built 17-hectare cu design. The arts space Environment (Honours)/Mas is ltural hub se ter of Project t among impr a botanicals. A Management essive collaboration

Conscious c ult

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between lan architects, de dscape signers and centre boasts en a diverse list gineers, the of plant spec suited to the ies local climate – and provid visitors a un es ique ‘green’ experience right in the heart of the busy city. www.hota.co m.au

accelerate your Car eer

Dream team d

Gain in-demand skills by com pleting a bachelor degree and master degree in five years wit of Built Environment/Maste h QUT’s Bachelor r of construction management, int Project Management. Position yourself to lead comple x projects in erior design, landscape archit ecture, or urban and regional planning.

Architects design structures for people to use, live in, work in, exercise in, eat in… An arch itect has designed almost any built space you encounter. Their job is to draw plans that can be interpreted by builders to ena ble construction. Architects look at how a space, room or building will flow. As well as user experience, they consider cou ncil or government requiremen ts, urban surroundings and env ironmental impact. Everything from a house to an office buil ding or a complete urban cen tre star ts with an architect’s dra wings.

Study this at QUT: Bachelor of Architectural Design or Diploma in Architectural Stu dies

Watch thises ahead!

Exciting opportuniti thway looks Find out what your PabuiltenviroQUT like at QUT: bit.ly/cws

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PLACE MAKERS

REAL PEOPLE

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design dna aduate, Architectural Grite McKerrell Arch cts

When his architectural assessment scored top marks in high school, Connor Pukallus knew he was on the right career path

truction, Certificate 1 in Consm Pro-Syste

WORDS: PIPPA DUFFY | IMAGES: ANTHONY WEATE/QUT

, Bachelor of Design Architecture, QUT

re, QUT Master of Architectu

connor pukallus te architectural gradua

A

s a recent graduate of a Master of Architecture at QUT, Connor is already on the road to smashing some serious life goals.

“I hope that architecture can lead me to a stable career where I can live comfortably while enjoying everything I do.

It may take time, but the pay-off will be worth it,” he says.

“At school I studied maths and engineering tech, but it was graphics that introduced me to architecture.”

It was a no-brainer when Connor decided to pursue a degree and enrol to study architecture at QUT. Connor believes studying at QUT has not only given him course knowledge, it’s also helped ensure he’s on the right pathway in life.

“The role of architecture is to always push the limits of what can and cannot be done. You need to have persistence and the drive to learn new things, and that isn’t just theoretical knowledge. It is the ability to find new tools and technologies to better the work you produce.”

The IRL effect

Big rewards The opportunities at QUT have helped Connor elevate his own learning – a highlight being a press release from the uni featuring Connor and his achievements working with Populous which “gave me the knowledge that I’m in the right course and on the right pathway,” he says.

“Architecture is a big commitment,” Connor adds, “but I believe it’s a bigger pay-off in the end, too.”

As part of his studies at QUT, Connor had the chance to work with a client in a real-life architectural firm, Populous, where he had “the opportunity to present my proposal to the entire Brisbane studio”. Through a uni partnership, he also witnessed the IRL construction of an IKEA store from start to finish.

“We got to see everything from the concrete foundations to the electrical fittings,” Connor says.

The role of ar is to push the limitschitecture can and cannot be doof what ne”

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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An itch for something more creative led Nadia Dubreuil to explore interior design as a new career direction

R E N G I S E D R O I R E INT I

nterior designers create indoor spaces that are functional, safe and enjoyable. After working as a civil engineer, Nadia was looking for a career that combined her creative and technical sides – interior design was a perfect match. Now Nadia continues to work in construction but contributes in a way that optimises interior spaces to improve people’s lives.

Here’s how Nadia might sp end an average work day: 8am

Arrive at work and set myself up with a coffee, read my emails and prepare for the day.

9am

Have a planning meeting with the team. We go through current and upcoming projects. For example, we’re designing the fit-out for a prestigious venue in Brisbane.

10am

Site visit to one of our project s currently under constructio n to talk through any issues with the builder or client.

WORDS: PIPPA DUFFY | IMAGES: AJM / ALANNA JAYNE MCTIERNAN (ALANNAJAYNEMCTIERNAN.COM) / SHUTTERSTOCK

12pm

I have lunch and chat with my

1:30pm

colleagues.

Another site visit to a worksh op to review a furniture prototype. We made some cus tom chairs for one of our projects with a local Brisban e furniture maker.

2:30pm

A quick coffee and head bac k to my desk for an afternoon working on project s, updates and admin.

5:30pm

I like to reset my task list bef ore I leave and go through my diar y in pre paration for the next day.

6pm

Attend an industry event hos ted by local suppliers. It is a good way to keep up to date with new technology and products, and see old friends in the industry .

if it’s the right job for you, it doesn’t fe like you’re working” el

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours), QUT

Project Engineer, BMD Group

Interior Design Student, Arkhefield

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Bachelor of Design (Interior Design), (Honours) QUT

Interior Designer, Studiospillane

PLACE MAKERS

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Get the job!

Congrats! You’ve graduated. So… what next?

Follow along Wanted ads...

These socials will keep you on top of your design game with tips, tricks and inspo that might come in handy for that all-important job interview.

From local or regional govern ment areas to big biz, small boutique firms and env ironmental agencies, a degree in architecture or land scape architecture can take you down the road or around the world.

Keep across who’s hiring at coarchitecture.com and ww w.aila.org.au/careersca pe

@ yellowtrace Design magazine @AustralianDesignReview An architecture and interior design resource Follow Studios like Hassell, BVN and Populous C heck out AIA (Australian Institute of Architects) to keep up to date www.architecture.com.au

Why Study architectu re www.qut.edu.au/why-s tudy-abe

tune in to what’s on

lly bingeable shows

what does it take?

Flexible Buildings: The Future of Architecture How do we best design for an out overpopulated future? Check doco e Tub You Free Documentary’s re futu for s for inspiring solution city design and construction: bit.ly/3JVWqAO

Planning on a career in architecture, Landscape architecture or eck interior design? Chbuild out the skills to for on – they’re good any discipline...

le streaming these tota re career in architecture whi Get inspired about your futu Amazing Interiors The interior designs in this blow American reality TV show will tive crea r you ire insp and d your min ms, ariu aqu or indo k Thin . side apocalypse bunkers and, our absolute fave, Steampunk

*SOURCE: SALARIES ACCORDING TO PAYSCALE.COM / TOURISM QUEENSLAND / SHUTTERSTOCK

Wonderland.

Grand Designs Tune in for the stunning home designs, stay for the budgetin blowout dramas and host Kev (and est hon McLoud’s brutally binged informed) critiques! Already the out ck Che es? seri UK the entire too! ions vers ian tral Aus NZ and

✔ Creative design ✔ Problem-solving ✔ Imagination

salary* How much can you expect to bank in the world of architecture? We’ve done the homework for you…

Quantity surveyor

Constr uction proje

$53K–$112K

$68K–$165K

Architect

$59K–$95K Landscape archite

ct manager

Urban planner

$54K–$102K ct

$51K–$87K

Interior Designer

$46K–$76K

✔ Teamwork ✔ Data literacy ✔ Attention to detail ✔ Initiative ✔ Patience ✔ Communication ✔ Analytical thinking ✔ curiosity

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We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

This edition was published on 5 May 2022 and updated 30 May 2025.