Ashleigh Van Leeuwen

I am passionate about creating spaces that are functional, intresting, connect to nature and also have their own story to tell.

I aim to have each space have their own intricate stories, through the textures used as well as the overall experince the space provokes through the senses for each person across these designs while taking in logistical considerations approrpate for the application of the design. Every project has a unqiue focus and need to ensure that encapsulates the vision of the design trhough the breif and makes a mere vision come to reality through the overall design.

My own personal design process, is looking to nature for inspiration and ways to meet the requirements of each space, from the flow to even the shape or even how light can have an effect on the space.

Museum of Hand Made

This render highlights the handmade terracotta tiles shaped in a fan-tale design which allowed the light to create a unique pattern across the Museum, and as the sunlight changed across the day, the reflected shadows did as well creating a building that reacts with the environments around it. This project was focused on consideration on creating a space that had a focus on sustainibility and looking at how through these tiles it can create diffused light.

Freedom of Expression

This model, was inspired by architect Frank Gehry, and was a space created to replicate the idea of taking things back to “Fisherman Days” through a net-like outer shell to the building which creates a dynamic and vibrant exhibition space to exhibit Gehry’s works. This project focused on the spatial layout of artefacts as well as how people move throughout the exhibit. alongside the storyline of the exhibit. There was also a key focus in highlighting the essence of the chosen artists's nature and style being showcased throught the design.

George Corner - Sustainability Pavilion

This project, was a group assignment which focused on assessing the site and creating a communial space that is self sufficnet. This pavilion catches the rain water and creates an intresting features across the design that is then stored and pumped through the space to create a sense of connectivity to nature as well as a meeting place. The coloums alose allow trees and small pondage systems to be utalised as seats. within the storage "veins" there is alos bioluminesent bactiera, menaing that during the day this bacteria is electrincially charged by the sun and then at night allows a purple/blue glow across the space in a full self-sustainded design.

Capstone - Bridal Ridge Estate Equine Precinct

This is a small snapshot of my capstone project completed in my Honours year. This render is on the equine Rehabilitaion Pool, located within the equine precinct as apart of the overarching project of farm and rural property diversification, which benefits the needs of the local community alongside the landowners.

Editorial Renovation

This project was all about renovating a pre-exsisiting building and incorporating WELS principals to create a better working space which through the change of interiors, has showcased the ability to see greater beneifts to performance within the staff.This project focused on meeting these needs through creating a healthy circadium rythum, communial workspaces as well as seperateion between public and private 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.