Achievements

Hear from our students and graduates from the School of Design and the Built Environment and view examples of student work.

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Antoinette Raphael wearing an red bomber jacket that she designed for her fashion brand RAW WAR

Waging RAW WAR on the fashion industry

From sewing her first cushion at age 12 to featuring in British Vogue magazine in 2018, fashion graduate Antoinette Raphael is bringing bold attitude to the industry with her streetwear label, RAW WAR.

Find out more about the label RAW WAR

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Cooperative

Digitisation is transforming built environment. Curtin’s School of Design and the Built Environment established the Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Cooperative to prepare students to meet the changing demands of the industry by providing mentoring opportunities from industry leaders through collaboration on high profile projects.

Find out more about the VDC Cooperative

“VDC gave me exposure to industry representatives and the students from other disciplines.”

“The VDC Cooperative has helped me develop skills that have prepared me for work in a multidisciplinary design team in the industry. Both the collaborative working experience and the development of Building Information Modelling (BIM) skills are aspects that are highly relevant and applicable to current industry practises.

VDC gave me exposure to industry representatives and the students from other disciplines, which allowed me to better understand the thought processes and the needs of the disciplines which I will be working closely with once I qualify.

I feel that my involvement in this project has helped increase my employability as a graduate and as it helps develop skills and understanding that will be highly desirable by the industry.
A wide spanning and flexible subject, Mass Communication prepares you for a career across more than one area in the rapidly expanding field of media and corporate communication. This course provides you with key technological skills and knowledge, as well as an understanding of the issues and debates that concern media, communication and information in the world today.”

Luke Amplett, BEng (Civil and Construction Engineering)

“The different ways of thinking and approaching problems within our team has led to great working synergies.”

“Working with VDC is challenging and enjoyable at the same time and provides the opportunity to think outside the box. The interdisciplinary environment boosts rethinking of established ways of doing things and the different ways of thinking and approaching problem within our team has led to great working synergies.

As a Planning student, I have never been exposed to BIM. Taking part in VDC gave me a strong insight into this revolutionary technology that will eventually impact the planning profession.

My interdisciplinary team looked at the opportunities for saving resources through the reuse of often-used detail components in architectural drawings. I started the project with no expertise of detailing or the software but with help of our industry partner it did not take long to understand the issues.

I would recommend that everyone takes up the challenge and learn something new while making contact with partners in the industry.”

Roman Hohlbein, Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Working on a project that didn’t have defined outcomes challenged me to see how far I could progress and succeed at addressing the project scope.

“I enjoyed working on a project that didn’t have defined outcomes. It challenged me to see how far I could progress and succeed at addressing the project scope; this style of learning has been so useful in developing my personal and professional skills.

VDC provides you with industry relevant skills, exposure to the most current technology, collaboration with students from other disciplines, and confidence to transition into the workplace.

It provides insight into:

  • the operation of BIM driven projects
  • the impact on how BIM projects are managed
  • exposure to cross-disciplinary relationships and collaboration
  • current issues produced as a result of new technologies
  • the future direction of the industry and necessary career skills.

I learnt the importance of making BIM understandable and accessible to the project team, the importance of data integrity when dealing with BIM, and the benefits and shortfalls of working with other disciplines.”

Thomas Metcalf, Construction Management and Economics

“VDC differs from your usual work experience roles and helps you develop communication and presentational skills and professional liaison skills.”

“VDC differs from your usual work experience roles and helps you develop communication and presentational skills and professional liaison skills.

The project has introduced me to working in a multidisciplinary, collaborative team. I have seen how these different disciplines such as architects and construction managers operate, what they are capable of, which has made the experience more beneficial.

I have been lucky to receive a project which uses BIM applications on site at the New Perth Stadium. The access to other young professional’s opinions which we would not otherwise receive has been a highlight.”

Michael Montgomery, BEng (Civil and Construction Engineering)

“I loved the opportunity to work with companies in the industry to solve a real problem they may be facing.”

“I loved the opportunity to work with companies in the industry to solve a real problem they may be facing. You gain valuable experience in using and solving problems with virtual design and construction processes.

I have learnt a lot about the different softwares available for use in the construction industry to improve processes and now have a greater understanding of how BIM is used in construction projects, for example:

  • How BIM can be utilised to take on site for subcontractor use.
  • How to use BIM 360 Glue and Field.
  • Using iPads for on-site model management, including the benefits and limitations of the software.

In determining the limitations of the software I learnt ways of working around the limitations in order to achieve desired functions. VDC Cooperative is an opportunity that is not provided anywhere else.”

Aaron Woo, BAppSc (Construction Management and Economics)