Darshana Thapa is an Interior Architecture Graduate based in Melbourne, Australia
I am a passionate advocate for preserving cultural and built heritage and am working towards a career as a Conservation Architect, currently completing a Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage at the University of Melbourne.
In 2022 I started volunteering for the National Trust as a House Guide at Rippon Lea Estate, sharing the history of the Victorian-era mansion with visitors and more recently, have been learning important preventative conservation techniques. These rewarding experiences allow me to contribute to the preservation of Melbourne’s heritage.
I also love exploring heritage spaces around Melbourne and find inspiration in materials, patterns, forms, lighting and spatial experiences. I am eager to learn all I can about traditional crafts and material conservation and see the importance of hands on learning. I carefully consider the surrounding cultural and historical context in my projects, as well as the people who will occupy the space, to deliver meaningful design solutions that help reconnect people to place.
I am always open to new opportunities and love meeting other passionate people interested in the preservation and conservation of our heritage.
Awards & Honours:
Design Institute of Australia - Award Nomination
Nominated for Graduate of the Year 2024
King’s Foundation Summer School Scholarship 2024
Awarded a scholarship to attend a three-week building conservation summer school in Scotland.
University of Melbourne - ABP Scholarship 2024
Awarded to high achieving students undertaking a Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage
Excellence in Design Award 2023
For Highest GPA in The Interior Architecture Course at Swinburne University of Technology GradX 2023
Qualifications:
2024 - Present: Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage
University of Melbourne - Due to graduate December 2024
2020 - 2023: Bachelor of Design - Interior Architecture (Honours)
Swinburne University of Technology
2018 - 2019: Diploma of Design
Swinburne University of Technology
2017 - 2018: Certificate IV in Design
Swinburne University of Technology
