We’re proud to celebrate three of our Interior Design students—Aye Swe, Emily Castle, and Lisa Le—who received the prestigious Better Futures Award 2024 across the School of Design this year. This accolade was presented during the Collarts Graduation ceremony, recognising their outstanding capstone project ‘In Bloom’ that embodies innovation, empathy and sustainability.
Their project was developed as part of the Design for Humanities unit, a collaboration with the Salvos, aimed at addressing real-world social challenges through thoughtful design solutions. It allowed the students to deeply engage with and meet the needs of the community.
Seeking to provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive accommodation environment for young individuals, the design embraces Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) principles to foster a sense of community, well-being and personal growth. Guided by the vibrant Upton Road community, the design mirrors the collective values of this space, emphasising intention and vision. Their intention is to support both the youth and staff in their daily routines and evolving needs.
What set their work apart was this empathetic design approach—focused on solving a pressing social issue while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainable principles.
The students demonstrated how design can be a powerful tool for positive change, balancing creativity with responsibility.
In addition to the award, the students received a $1,000 prize to share and are now actively seeking funding to bring their project to life.
We look forward to following Aye, Emily and Lisa as their inspiring project progresses—a true testament to the transformative power of design.