William Jackson

I’ve always had a strong interest in the construction industry, and architecture quickly became the field I aligned with. What initially drew me in was the blend of hands-on involvement and the opportunity to shape meaningful spaces, but what has kept me engaged is the constant need to think critically, solve problems, and understand how every design decision affects the people who will use the building. Over time, sustainability has become a major focus of my work. The urgency of climate change, combined with rapid advances in construction technology, has made it impossible to ignore the role architects must play in shaping a more responsible built environment. I’ve become increasingly interested in how sustainable strategies can be integrated early in the design process so that they become a natural part of the project, rather than an afterthought. My studies at Swinburne, including my master’s degree, played a large role in developing this understanding. The coursework and studio projects consistently pushed me to think more critically about environmental performance, material use, and the long-term impact of architectural decisions. Now that I’ve completed my master’s, I’m eager to continue building my career in practice. I hope to contribute to projects that genuinely improve the way people interact with the built environment.

THERMA.NET

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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.