HOANG DUY LY

It's Hoang Duy, a Vietnamese living in Melbourne. My design philosophy focuses on creating minimalist yet sophisticated spaces that emphasize harmony between people and their environments. I strive to craft designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and functionally optimized to enhance the user experience. Each project I undertake is an opportunity to explore and develop elements of connection—between people, between people and art, and between people and nature.

The Communication Void - Pulse - Art Community Center

The Communication Void is a central, open space within the building that enhances interaction and connectivity. Structured around a sculptural, ribbon-inspired form, it symbolizes unity and continuous flow between art and community, creating a natural gathering spot. Equipped with flexible seating and surrounded by digital screens, this area serves as a dynamic stage for art displays, interactive events, and community gatherings, blending natural light and spatial openness to foster connection and engagement among visitors.

Open Workshop Space - Pulse - Art Community Center

The Open Workshop Space is an accessible, public area designed to foster creativity and collaboration among visitors. Without physical barriers like doors, the space invites spontaneous engagement, allowing everyone to join in at any time. It features community tables for group activities, private workshop stations, a photo spot for capturing creations, and a Wall of Creation to display work and inspire others. With optimized natural lighting and airflow systems to reduce the spread of materials' scents, this setup creates a vibrant, inclusive environment that balances practicality with creative energy.

Library - Pulse - Art Community Center

The Library Space serves as a dynamic hub for freelancers, students, and anyone seeking a calm yet interactive environment to work, read, and connect. Designed with both indoor and outdoor seating, the library allows users to experience a balance between focused workstations and relaxation zones, including cozy chairs for quiet reading and tables with views of the surrounding landscape. Natural light flows throughout the space, creating an inviting and inspiring atmosphere. Although located on the first floor, this library embraces a flexible noise policy, reflecting its function as a social and creative extension of the center.

Co-working Zone - The G.A.P. - Co-working Space

The G.A.P. is designed to break down generational barriers and create an inclusive environment for people of all ages. With adaptable layouts and a mix of open and private workspaces, it encourages spontaneous interaction and knowledge-sharing. The design combines communal tables, cozy lounges, and breakout areas to foster generational connections. Warm lighting and natural textures add a welcoming feel, while accessible technology ensures ease of use for everyone. "The Gap" is more than a workspace—it's a hub for building community and bridging generational divides.

Co-working Zone - The G.A.P. - Co-working Space

The design combines communal tables, cozy lounges, and breakout areas to foster generational connections. Warm lighting and natural textures add a welcoming feel, while accessible technology ensures ease of use for everyone. The G.A.P. is more than a workspace—it's a hub for building community and bridging generational divides.

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.