Darshana Thapa is an Emerging Heritage Professional based in Melbourne, Australia
I am a passionate advocate for preserving cultural and built heritage and am working towards becoming a Conservation Architect, commencing a Master of Architecture at The University of Melbourne in February 2025.
In 2023, I completed a Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours) at Swinburne University and was awarded the Excellence in Design Award for achieving the highest GPA (grade point average) in the graduating class.
In 2024, I became a University of Melbourne student in the Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage program. This program taught me the fundamental principles of heritage conservation by examining case studies across various international, national and local contexts. I explored the possibilities of digital technologies for documenting heritage sites and completed a Heritage Industry Internship with Conservation Studio, where I now work as a Heritage and Research Consultant.
I thoroughly enjoy being involved in as many opportunities as possible to protect, preserve and raise awareness about the value of heritage. Since July 2022, I have been a National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Volunteer.
In 2024 I had the incredible opportunity to attend two Traditional Building Conservation Summer Schools. The Longford Academy in Tasmania was an excellent opportunity to learn about traditional building materials and conservation approaches.
The Kings Foundation Summer School Program in Scotland was a life-changing three weeks of hands-on learning about traditional building crafts and their vital role in preserving heritage in the 21st Century. While in the UK, I also visited multiple National Trust Properties and participated in a SPAB Brick conservation workshop.
I look forward to whatever opportunities 2025 will bring as I continue on my journey to becoming a Conservation Architect.
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: Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage
University of Melbourne
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