HONG TAM DO

Interior Architecture

My name is Tam Do, a Vietnamese student of interior architecture at Swinburne, raised amidst the serene landscapes of rural Vietnam. The breathtaking sunrises over the river and endless childhood adventures with friends nurtured my early love for art. At 17, I embarked on a transformative journey to Australia, where formal education not only deepened my appreciation for art but also ignited a passion for transforming creativity into design.

Choosing interior architecture at university, I honed technical skills essential for my studies and projects. Additionally, I developed soft skills such as critical analysis, creativity, time management, and effective communication through courses in history and business.

My particular interest lies in sustainable design, with a strong emphasis on the importance of materials in the design process. I believe that smart material choices positively impact the environment and contribute to creating living spaces that are both eco-friendly and authentic. In each design, I prioritize sustainability, utilizing recycled and sustainably sourced materials to craft spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also promote a healthy living environment.

Moreover, every design I create carries its own unique story. I believe that each space has the power to tell a story and interact with its users. Behind every project is a profound narrative, an ideational journey, and personal perceptions, forming spaces that are not just places to live but also a source of inspiration and enjoyment for those who experience them.

Uni Piece

Uni Pieces is an apartment project dedicated to students in Australia, creating a cozy and friendly environment for them to call home. Designed with residents’ comfort in mind, Uni Pieces not only meets basic housing needs but also promotes community connection and support for students.

Living room of 3 Bedrooms_2 Bathrooms apartment (Uni Pieces)

Typically, students require ample storage for their stationery and personal items. Therefore, the design incorporates multiple storage options in the room, predominantly in the form of closed storage, to maintain an organized appearance.

Studio (Uni Pieces)

The sliding door serves to partition the space into smaller rooms for various purposes, simultaneously aiding in minimizing heat loss and containing cooking smells. Its flexibility allows for a complete opening, transforming the area into a larger space as needed.

Studio (Uni Pieces)

To instill a feeling of openness in the surroundings, opt for light colors on both the walls and interior. This approach naturally brightens the space, creating the illusion of a larger area. Incorporating wood into the interior design adds a warm and distinctive touch, enhancing the overall coziness.

2 Bedrooms_2 Bathrooms (Uni Pieces)

“JUST LIVING IS NOT ENOUGH; ONE MUST HAVE SUNSHINE, FREEDOM, AND A LITTLE FLOWER.”
-Hans Christan Andersen-

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.