Gemma Noonan

My educational experience has not only provided me with a solid foundation in design concepts, but it has also instilled in me a profound respect for the art of transforming places into functional, attractive spaces. Throughout my academic career, I honed my talents in spatial planning, conceptualising innovative design concepts, and converting them into both useful and visually appealing interior environments. I enjoy the challenge of developing unique solutions that improve the functionality and aesthetics of various places, whether residential, commercial, or hospitality.

Sorrento House

I had the honour of working on this unique high-end residential project from its
conceptual to its beautiful completion. My contribution was critical in designing
every aspect of this luxurious hideaway, from the earliest concept development to the finishing touches.

Museum of the Handmade

For my university project, I undertook a captivating endeavor centered around an
esteemed art gallery. Tasked with creating an immersive experience that would resonate with both
connoisseurs and casual visitors, I delved into a multifaceted approach.

Echinacea Emergency Shelter

For my final year university project, I undertook a deeply meaningful endeavor
centered around the design of a domestic violence shelter. Guided by a profound
commitment to providing a safe haven for survivors, I approached this project with empathy and meticulous attention to detail.

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.