Ashley's story

An eye for design

Ashley came to Swinburne with a long history in landscape design. With qualifications in applied sciences and horticulture, he was working as a design studio manager in Melbourne when he enrolled in the Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural). This qualification would allow him to gain a building practitioner registration and provide a wider range of services to his clients.

His reason for choosing Swinburne included the convenient location in Croydon, but it also came down to flexibility. "The flexibility with Swinburne is great – the timetable allows you to block your study together and fit work and other commitments around that," he says.

Changing perspectives

Ashley says the greatest benefit of studying with Swinburne is the collaborative relationships with his teachers and fellow students. He gained valuable insights from one teacher who had worked on large international public infrastructure projects – giving Ashley a new perspective.

His experience in computer-aided design and business information modelling allowed him to assist other students in the class, while he reaped the benefits of contextualising his industry experience with theoretical components.

What appealed to Ashley throughout his course was the accessibility aspects of design. Having a fellow classmate with a physical disability allowed him to see how accessible elements could be applied in the real world. The impacts demonstrated the importance of user input to ensure the success of a project.

"The flexibility with Swinburne is great – the timetable allows you to block your study together and fit work and other commitments around that," he says.

Prize-winning focus

Ashley's creative innovation and passion culminated in winning the Outstanding Student of the Year Award at the Design Matters National kick-off for 2025. He received a three-year membership to this peak body for building design professionals, as well as a mentorship from another member and access to industry support. This incredible prize reflects Swinburne's focus on industry pathways to support students' success throughout their journey.

With his sights now on commercial design with an accessibility focus, Ashley has taken the leap into running his own business. He hopes to gain experience with city developers for commercial infrastructure – expanding his knowledge and technological expertise further.