At our School of Design, our students have plenty of amazing opportunities to travel overseas as part of their course. We spoke to Louis, a Bachelor of Environmental Design graduate and current Master of Architecture student who recently returned from his exchange trip to Milan to hear all about his experience!
Meet Louis
"Hi, my name is Louis and I’m in my final year of a Master of Architecture at UWA. I’ve always enjoyed combining creativity, nature, and technical thinking, so architecture felt like the perfect fit. I began my studies with a Bachelor of Environmental Design, majoring in Landscape Architecture, but I was curious to dive deeper into architectural design, which led me to the master's program. I love a good challenge and pushing myself, whether that’s testing new ideas or travelling the world."
Why did you choose to study landscape architecture and architecture? And did you always know that you wanted to pursue studies in design?
"Architecture was very distant to me before university. I didn’t know any architects in person but had watched the odd Grand Designs episode, which I loved. I’ve always been creative, loved being outdoors, and had a strong interest in the humanities. One of my favourite places growing up was the home or grandfather’s workshop. I loved tinkering, fixing things, and making anything from art to furniture, depending on what I was into that week.
Towards the end of high school, those hands-on skills were steering me toward engineering, but it never felt quite right. I was passionate about filmmaking and did well in Geography and Biology, which eventually led me to shift toward the humanities. In 2019, I enrolled in Human Geography and Planning with a minor in Landscape Architecture at UWA. After just one semester, I realised Geography wasn’t what I had imagined, but Design really clicked with me. I loved the studio culture, the site visits, ecology, landscapes and the creative thinking, so I moved across to the Nedlands campus.
I ended up blending video art electives, Landscape Architecture, and Architecture as a minor. By the end of my bachelor’s degree, I had built a broad technical and creative foundation. My passion for architecture kept growing, so I enrolled in the Master of Architecture, bringing that hybrid mix of knowledge and experience with me."
What inspired you to go on exchange, and why did you choose Italy?
"Going on exchange had always been on my mind throughout my studies. I couldn’t make it happen during my bachelor’s due to COVID, and I knew time would be tight in my master’s and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. The School of Design offers short summer intensive studios in Lisbon and Athens, and I was lucky enough to attend both. I absolutely fell in love with the immersion, learning through new cultures, architecture, and people. Lisbon in particular in the summer of 22/23 sparked an urge to travel and explore Europe.
Even though I had been to Italy and Europe a few times before and originally hoped to go somewhere new, it turned out to be an incredible experience. Milan is one of those cities you need to live in to truly feel its beating design heart. The last time I was there before the exchange it seemed nice enough for a weekend but it didn’t call my name. But that idea changed after 2 weeks, I fell in love with the city.
Polytecnico di Milano (or Polimi), my selected University is very prestigious in the Architectural world, so I was really shocked to get selected and accepted after my portfolio entry. The beautiful campus is always social and full of design energy. Although not my first choice it ended up being a blessing especially, with the weather. Winter was cold but I don’t know how I would have survived up North."
How has your time in Italy deepen your understanding or appreciation of architecture? Has this impacted your approach/perspective?
"Italy is home to some of the world’s most incredible architecture. It's where some of the earliest civilizations-built structures that still stand today. I was lucky to study at Politecnico di Milano, a university known for its strong architectural legacy, with alumni like Renzo Piano. The work produced at the school and the projects we were exposed to were so foreign from what I’ve experienced in Australia. There’s a deep attention to beauty, detail, and history. The ability to physically see the stratification on history was incredible.
One of the highlights was my studio project, which focused on Villa Arconati, a 17th-century villa on the outskirts of Milan. Working first-hand with such a historic and beautiful building was incredible. There is a sensitivity and an understanding of value of space and history that’s rare in Australia. It really deepened my appreciation for architectural heritage and has shifted my perspective on design, history, and the role of designers in preservation and shaping the future. I don’t think my future home will have Roman columns but it’s the small things, the perspective, details and the design psychologies of Europe that I take with me."
Were there any particular buildings, cities or spaces in Italy that really stuck out to you?
"Honestly if you looked through my camera roll it would be filled with hundreds of buildings each one unique and each leaving an impression.
There were so many standout buildings, but a few that really stayed with me include the late brutalist cultural centre in Turin, Castelvecchio by Carlo Scarpa in Verona, and the Monumentale cemetery in Milan. But one experience that did stand out was 2am out with my friends we decided to go to the Milan Duomo. At 2am we stood there, no crowds, just the Duomo in all its glory. You can just sit in the calmness of the night and admire such an incredible building, and how complex, intricate and detailed it is."
Did you receive any scholarships or financial support for exchange? How did that help?
"I had done lot of pre-planning and putting away savings for the trip. Luckily both UWA and Polimi were very helpful in budgeting. I had a friend from UWA do the same exchange a year before me, so he was extremely helpful in helping gauge cost. I was very fortunate to receive two forms of financial support: the Global Learning Grant and the OS-HELP loan. Both were incredibly helpful in boosting my savings and supporting me while abroad.
My budget was based on essentials like rent, food, and transport, but with the high cost of living in Milan, I had to be quite frugal. I chose to cook at home as much as possible, which turned out to be a highlight. The quality of fresh produce at local markets was amazing and cheap. It gave me the chance to really try my hand at Italian cooking, with some helpful tips from my roommates.
The support from UWA and the government really made a difference. It allowed me to make the most of my time abroad, including weekend trips to nearby cities and countries which were experiences that were highlights and extremely beneficial."
How did you prepare for the exchange, academically and professionally?
"There was a lot of preparation involved before my exchange especially around organising units, timelines, and making sure everything lined up with my course progression. I had many back-and-forth emails with the amazing team at the School of Design to confirm what subjects I needed to complete at Polimi and how they would count towards my degree at UWA.
On the professional side, I made sure my CV and portfolio were in good shape for the Polimi selection process. I took my time slowly building and refining my portfolio, adding new experiences along the way and adapting it as I learned. I also used the time to start making connections with architects across Europe, reaching out and sharing my portfolio with the hope of future opportunities.
One standout moment was in Lisbon, where I met with a local architect. We exchanged portfolios and had a great conversation about projects, design, and life. Exchanges are such a powerful way to grow your network, I highly recommend stepping outside your comfort zone, reaching out to people who inspire you, and seeing where those conversations lead. You never know what could come from it."
What is your ultimate career goal?
"Before my travels and exchange, if you had asked me this question, I would have said I wanted to work in an Architectural firm in Perth or somewhere in Australia, with the long-term goal of starting my own practice. But after travelling, meeting so many people, and exploring new interests, my perspective has shifted.
Milan is a city full of fashion, design, and innovation. The friends I made, from fashion and photography to set design, space engineering, and product design really opened my eyes to how many creative paths are out there. Now, my career goals go beyond just architecture.
Over the next five years, I see myself working across different fields, building experience and knowledge. My aim is to eventually open a multidisciplinary studio that creates work beyond the boundaries of architecture whether that’s in Australia or somewhere overseas. I’m keeping the door open and seeing where it all leads."
What would be your advise to anyone considering going on exchange?
"I honestly cannot recommend an exchange enough. Each person still studying I make sure I try persuading them to give it a try. It has shifted the way I think and given me so many great relationships and new perspectives. If I were to change one more thing, I would have stayed longer, but I will be back in Europe to continue where I left off. It’s really that great, I almost feel like it should be compulsory, many of my friends and students don’t try it, and you don’t know what’s out there and over the horizon. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and the smoothness of UWA to help facilitate this life changing experience."
Looking for more inspiration? Watch Louis' amazing video from Milan - filmed and edited all by himself!
To find out more about how you can study at UWA, get in touch with our Future Students Centre by book an appointment here. And if you're interested in exploring our range of exchange opportunities, visit the UWA Global Studio website to learn more!
