Current projects
For my previous projects, click here.
Design Factory Melbourne Researcher
I am a research and team builder at Design Factory Melbourne. I coach teams from diverse backgrounds to embrace an open mind-set required by a collaborative working environment. I also build connections between professional organisations and university academics through research and design services, to enhance each other’s capabilities to leverage knowledge and create innovation.
Researching
For a list of my research and publications, click here.
Collaborative Advantage: How high-performing architecture teams are built
Supervisors: Prof Jane Burry, A/Prof Eva Kyndt, Prof Anita Kocsis
This research examines the roles of team learning and reflective practice in the performance of architecture teams. I conducted a case study, survey, interviews, and workshops to investigate how team-oriented strategies improve the performance of architecture teams. I recently published the PhD report in The Design Journal, which you can read here.
Revisioning architectural services
This research explores alternative processes that architecture practices can adopt to out-perform their competitors. I recently explained how clients perceive service value differently from architects, and examined how architects can innovate their services to offer clients greater experiences of their service at the Service Design & Innovation Conference 2020.
Makerspace as learning facilities
with: Ravi Bessabava, Kristen Hebden
This research aims to understand the potential of makerspaces as learning facilities. We recently discussed how schools can partner with makerspaces, which you can also watch the seven-minute presentation on youtube.
Writing
For a list of my writings, click here.
The future of work-life balance
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us were asked to work from home. While some argue that the lack of interruptions has led to increased productivity, others have also complained that the distractions at home have made it difficult, sometimes even impossible, to focus on work. So, is there any consensus of what will help workers stay productive while working from home?
Pandemics shape our cities
Living with Covid-19 is a new experience for all of us. Yet, living with pandemics is far from new for our cities. Throughout history, our built environment has suffered many major health crises, such as cholera, Spanish flu and tuberculosis. And each time, our cities pulled through. Perhaps, we can find solutions to this pandemic in our history books.
Starting a consultancy can be like finding a date
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many universities across the world. It disrupted their revenue streams and most universities are finding leaner ways to operate. For many, this means laying off staff and discontinuing contracts. So, I thought it might be useful for me to share how I started consulting while working as a casual in universities. I hope some of these techniques can help you get your foot into the industry.
Treat networking like a research project
I’m an introverted researcher. I’m uncomfortable with attending social events to meet new people, which can be problematic when it comes to expanding my network. I know networks are really important for a career, and I know how much of an issue networking can be for me, so I try to be considered and prepared about what I do. I need more of a run-up to networking than some others, and this post shares the four steps I take to ease myself into making new connections.
Designing
To view my design projects, click here.
NExT Lab
type: Architecture
with: Fabrication Workshop
The NExT Lab is home to a cluster of 32 3D printers and offers 3D printing service to the University of Melbourne. The lab acts as a participatory “gallery” for experiencing new technology, provoking larger conversations about the future and technologies part in it. Throughout the day passers-by can observe the bank of 3D printers producing models continuously, along with a digital exhibition of projects on its walls to provide constant visual excitement and attraction.
World Economic Forum, Teh Tarik Man
type: Installation
with: One Design Office
Red Hong Yi is an international artist who ‘paints without a brush’ and is known to create artworks using everyday objects. In 2015, she was commissioned to represent Malaysian culture as an artwork at the World Economic Forum. For the showcase, she illustrated the Teh Tarik Man (Malaysian barista) with 20,000 used tea bags. Photographs of the ‘Tarik Man’ were taken, pixelated and coded to create instructions on how the tea bags were arranged and assembled.
Southbank by Beulah Architecture Competition
type: Competition brief writing
with: One Design Office
As the population grows and lifestyles change and evolve, so too does the need for development designed for current and future generations. Beyond Melbourne, cities are beginning to display positive efforts of future-proofing by using big data and employing smart interventions. Architects, designers and engineers play an ever-important role in being able to shape communities and optimise lifestyles. Contextualised, these solutions tend to be climatically and culturally specific, adding layers onto the richness of a city’s past. So how do we future proof Melbourne? How do we ensure the viability of life through exponential growth?
Masda Piezo Oasis
type: Architecture
with: Prof Justyna Karakiewicz, Prof Tom Kvan, Dr Elena Vanz
In a barren landscape springs a cluster of trees, leaves and fronds swaying in the wind. Oases are a source of life-giving resources, places of shade and respite, opportunities for calm and contemplation. This oasis converts a site in Masdar city into an oasis that provides energy. Shaded by the branches and leaves, the ground plane echoes traditional gardens while overhead piezo harvesters gather energy from the movement of air. This is piezo oasis, translating the natural form into an urban experience with the aid of piezo technology.
Teaching
To view my previous teaching, click here.
Creative Entrepreneurship
for: Swinburne University of Technology
with: Dr Clementine Thurgood
I teach design students entrepreneurial thinking skills to examine current economical situations, speculate on future opportunities and develop business models, products and services.
Procedural Design Strategies
for: University of Melbourne
with: Prof Justyna Karakiewicz, Onur Tumturk, Siavash Malek
Designing urban proposals while creating intimate city experiences is a challenging task that involves designing on two different scales. By using procedural design strategies, small spatial designs can be aggregated to form large building typologies. I provide technical assistance to Master of Architecture students on using generative design tools (Grasshopper) to develop such architecture and urban proposals for their design studios.
3D Scanning and Printing
for: Swinburne University of Technology
with: Chen Canhui, Ravi Bessabava
Can we leverage natural systems in our design workflows? How can we capture organic forms and biological textures that are challenging to model using computer software? What outcomes do we get when we merge multiple systems together? In this subject, we learn 3D scanning techniques, digital design modelling, and 3D prototyping tools to explore and materialise design ideas.
Bio-digital Futures
for Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC)
with: Chen Canhui, A/Prof John Sadar
Can the living replace the non-living? Can the natural replace the artificial? Can structures be grown? In this summer school, we explore how mycelium can be used with digital design and fabrication techniques for the construction industry.
Speaking
Unknown Futures: What design can teach us about navigating uncertainty
for: Design Factory Melbourne Research Insights
It is undeniable that technologies are replacing our workforces. Labour-intensive roles are gradually being replaced by automated technologies whereas artificial intelligence is endangering roles once thought to be safe from the machines. Without a doubt, the future of work is yet to be set in stone. Perhaps, it will never be. With such uncertainties ahead of us, how can design make us future-ready?
Knowledge strategies for architects
for: Design Research Society Conference
Traditionally, architects work independently to design a building. By reflecting on past projects, they build their individual knowledge, which carries into their future creation through best practices and experiential insights. Now, architects often design in teams. This opens up the broad question, how do architecture teams contribute their individual knowledge to a project effectively and without conflict?
Business strategies for architects
for: Swinburne University of Technology
What is a business strategy? How do you use it? When is it time to change it? And how do you know if it is working? Many architects work without a business plan, and many more without a business strategy. But without a strategy, how do you know where the business is going?
Finding and using ambiguity to search for innovation opportunities
for: Australian Centre for Exntrepreneurship Research Exchange
Typically, entrepreneurs discover business opportunities by defining the problem, ideating, then validating their prototypes. However, there is also a lesser-known approach, which is to keep the problem vague for as long as possible so that opportunities emerge from its ambiguity.
Giving back
Australasian Early Career Urban Research Network
Relief Brigade
Out for Australia
Say hi!
Ask me anything via email. If you like, I am also reachable on ResearchGate, Twitter, and Linkedin.
Or have a look at the services I offer here.