Kate Harris

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Since I was young, I loved rearranging my room and exploring how small changes could transform the way spaces felt. That early curiosity evolved into a passion for interior architecture and an interest in how interiors can influence emotion and human experience. During my studies at Swinburne, I completed a six-month professional placement at Haskell Architects, where I gained valuable insight into the inner workings of an architectural practice and deepened my understanding of the design process.

I believe that good design goes beyond function and can shape how people feel and connect within a space. This belief guided me to my capstone project, EASE, a retirement community focused on mitigating social isolation among older adults. Ultimately, I hope to design to make a difference, aiming to craft spaces that not only function beautifully but also feel purposeful for those who inhabit them.

EASE - COURTYARD

At the heart of EASE lies a central courtyard that acts as the community’s social hub. It’s weaving pathways gently connecting every social space, encouraging movement and spontaneous interaction among residents and the community. This courtyard becomes more than a circulation space; it’s a place of gathering, reflection, and everyday connection.

EASE - POOL

The pool provides an easily accessible facility for on-site residents, encouraging recreation, social interaction, and active lifestyles. It also helps connect the community by offering a shared amenity that supports engagement and well-being.

EASE - RESIDENCE LOBBY

The lobby features double-height ceilings and a seating area that acts as a buffer between adjoining spaces, creating a sense of openness and ease of movement.

EASE - POTTERY STUDIO

A dedicated pottery and gallery space fosters creativity and provides residents with opportunities to express themselves, supporting a sense of purpose and personal worth. Displaying their work in the gallery gives residents a tangible sense of achievement and pride in their creative accomplishments.

EASE - PLAYGROUP

The playgroup fosters intergenerational connection by bringing children and older adults together in shared activities. This interaction encourages meaningful relationships, mutual learning, and a sense of community across generations.

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.