Interior Architecture Graduand Shortlisted for International Design Awards

UNSW Built Environment Interior Architecture graduand Ivy Tong has been shortlisted for the S.ARCH International Design Awards.

Ms Tong, who completed a Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours) in 2017, is in contention for the Best Conceptual Design Award in the Commercial or Public Designs category.

The Awards form part of S.ARCH (Sustainable ARCHitecture), an annual international conference where practitioners, researchers, and industry leaders meet to exchange knowledge, insights, and experiences of the cross-disciplinary field of architecture and built environment.

They are adjudicated by a jury of industry professionals representing major design studios and leading research institutions from around the world. Shortlisted projects must embody design excellence and innovation in sustainable architecture and urbanism.

Ms Tong’s design proposal Transversal was developed as part of the Interior Architecture (Hons) intensive design studio in 2017, in partnership with Landcom and UrbanGrowth NSW, to re-imagine the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station in Rozelle.

“There was a need to utilise the space in a way that connects the past to the present, not only in terms of design, but also in terms of addressing the very real-world need for environmental sustainability and renewable energy,” Ms Tong said. 

Ms Tong, an illustrator inspired to pursue Interior Architecture after seeing the work of renowned international designer Tadao Ando, said it was an honour to be shortlisted for the award.

“It means so much to me to be recognised for my work and to make the shortlist,” she said. “The opportunity to be in a room with some of the best people in the design industry from around the world is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the chance to see the historical architecture of Venice is incredible.”

Ms Tong, who is working as a graduate designer at Sydney design studio Otto Design Interiors, credited the Interior Architecture program at UNSW Built Environment for supporting her transition into the field.

“UNSW Built Environment has some amazing mentors who not only have the industry credentials, knowledge and insight, but are keen to share that with you and support you throughout your degree,” she said. “The structure of the degree gives you the ability to develop the strategy, analysis, and creative way of thinking that turns an idea into a firm concept that solves a real-world problem.”

Students maintain strong links to industry throughout their degree. The graduation design studio allows students to engage with stakeholder strategies and consider their proposals as civic contributions, with an emphasis on innovation and public activation.

“The design studio forms part of Landcom and UrbanGrowth NSW’s commitment to innovative research and life-long learning,” Director, Research and Learning at Landcom Nicole Campbell said. “The students undertook site tours and presented their design concepts to industry professionals.

“Landcom and UrbanGrowth NSW Development Corporation congratulate Ivy on this international recognition.”

The Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours) at UNSW Built Environment will equip you with the skills to influence people’s lives through the interior environments they inhabit. Find out more about the course here.