Thomas De Santis

Bachelor of Design (Architecture)

Hello I'm Thomas!

From studying at Swinburne for 3 years I now have Bachelors degree in Architecture. What I have enjoyed most about Architecture, is the ability to communicate with my colleagues and build my networking. Working in a team really developed managing skills as we are constantly reaching for better standards. I always inspire myself to do better and try to motivate the like minded people around me to do better.

Feel free to check out my previous work and any links leading you to my personal portfolio!

Newport Sports Museum - NSM

It is our mission to promote the enjoyment of sport to the Australian Youth. We want to improve the knowledge of sport so that people will feel more engaged to participate at a younger age. NSM demonstrates innovation through unique features of outdoor interactive sports spaces, grandstands that view outwards onto the football ground across the road and a room to cater for local sporting clubs. The design strikes with character with its wavy like roof structure that folds down to the ground creating a distinct identity which is recognisable to Melbourne.

RGB.

This is our proposal for the new renovation of the current Architecture building AMDC. The exterior facade acts as a protective layer allowing appropriate shading to outdoor terraces that we provide. We maximise airflow to these locations via our perforated panelling system to cool down study rooms for students. We wanted to include greenery along the facade to improve the air quality and be environmentally friendly. Swinburne is still printed onto the facade to help keep its identity.

Newport Sports Museum - NSM

To help promote sport to the youth, NSM provides a 'Wall Of Fame'. Similar as to in Hollywood with the Hollywood stars, NSM displays professional Australian athletes names to acknowledge their achievements and to promote sport to 'local Australians. It gives the chance for people to look up to their heroes and allow the upcoming generation to strive higher with potential achieve their own plaque on the wall.

RGB.

Hence the name, RGB uses colour to stimulate natural human emotions. Our renovation of the new architectural building includes a common room for students to get away from their studies. As shown, we wanted to use a yellow theme on that level (level 8); studies prove that yellow evokes emotions such as happiness and freedom. Each level has a specific coloured theme based on its purpose to improve productivity for students.

Riverside Aquatics.

Riverside Aquatics is a Leisure Centre/Ferry Terminal located alongside the Yarra River in Melbourne. The aim of this project was to allow for a outdoor pool activity whilst viewing incoming boats from the river. The project entertains people of all ages with high activity pools, peaceful garden spaces, viewing seats on the docks, rooftop gardens, kids play area and many more unique spaces.

Acknowledgement of Country

The School of Design and Architecture respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and knowledge-keepers of the lands, waters and sky that surround us, where we work, learn, create, communicate and make place. We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded and this always was and will always be Wurundjeri Country. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who continue to make a better world through design.

We extend our acknowledgement to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students, alumni, real-life clients, and knowledge keepers, who have contributed to our own education diversity and growth. We will continue to ensure that staff and students respectfully honour ancestral connection to Country and Place in everything that they do.

We are dedicated to the notion of design to make a better world and we acknowledge that making tools, shaping place, sharing stories, making meaning, wayfinding and collaborating have long been and continue to be both central and integral to First Peoples' cultures. We recognize that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultural contributions have continued relevance to design practice and commit to: reconciling ancestries of design and contemporary practice as well as pursuing culturally and professionally appropriate ways to engage with a diverse population of colleagues, industries and clients. In a time of treaty-making and voice we understand that there are overlaps between caring for Country and the sustainable production of goods, services, experiences, products and buildings.

Guided by the principles of respect, reconciliation, and reciprocity we undertake to indigenising and decolonising design practice by dismantling colonial structures and challenging biases that have marginalised Indigenous voices and design.

As students of SoDA you will be given opportunities to both engage with and educate yourself in Indigenous creative practices and cultural protocols through a lens of inclusivity, diversity, respect, mutual understanding, inter-cultural dialogue in all aspects of design practice. Indigenous people have been telling stories, making tools, and connecting to Country through visual media, placemaking and place marking for more than 60,000 years and these practices are part of an ongoing, evolving and live tradition.