Alex Daicos

Born and educated in Melbourne, I have demonstrated a hardworking and enthusiastic interest in all things Architecture, Design and Urbanism from an early age. My “Built Environment” education journey began following my graduation from High School at the End of 2014, with an Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Epping Campus from 2014 to 2015. Following this, a move into Architecture was natural, and with Melbourne Polytechnic starting their new Bachelor of The Built Environment (Now Applied Architecture) Degree, which I enrolled in 2017, this saw me go from strength to strength, winning Student of the Year upon Graduation in 2019.

During my time at Swinburne’s SoDA over the past three years, I have made tracks in building my already existing Built Environment and Design skillset, developing further interest, skills, dedication and joy in Architecture, Design and Urbanism with the help of my fellow caring and dedicated students, along with the professionalism of the skilful and diverse staff.

In my spare time, I like to potter around the house doing various DIY jobs, including interior design, gardening and home maintenance. Having a keen interest in the Built Environment, I try to apply most of my spare time to it by attending many exhibitions and events, such as Open House Melbourne. Along with researching, curating, and collecting as many design artifacts as possible, the latter resulted in collecting and preserving Vintage Telecommunication artifacts and equipment, ranging from standard telephones to Business Telephone Systems.

Design Research Studio D (Thesis): Collective Living Experience, Semester 1 2023

"The Art Factory" Multigenerational Family and Artist Housing, Richmond 3121, Victoria Australia.

From top left clockwise: External Heroshot from Stewart Street Reserve; Long Section highlighting programs; Artist's Residence/Studio Perspective; Multigenerational Residences - Perspective.

Design Research Studio C: Up In The Air, Semester 2, 2021

"Eucalyptus Symbolica" Treehouse and Shopfront, Mill Park Recreation Reserve, Mill Park 3082, Victoria Australia.

External Perspective from South West facing North East.

Design Research Studio B: Chimeric Dwelling, Semester 1, 2021

"Synergia Hydroponica" Shared Residence, Workspace and Aeroponic Gardens; Warrandyte South 3134 Victoria Australia.

East heroshot of rooftop aeroponic gardens facing West.

Design Research Studio A: Disruptive Hospitals, Semester 2, 2020

"RE (dis) COVERY - Injection of Another": Dining Room; Veterans Day Centre at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital (Austin Health); Ivanhoe 3079, Victoria Australia.

Axonometric Perspective plus Details and Section highlighting Phenomenological qualities.

Urban Informatics and Modelling, Semester 1, 2022

"Architectural (Urban) Arboretum": South Melbourne Activity Centre, Historic Architecture-Informed Greenification.

Shared View Analysis - Range of Placement and Tree Zoning

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.