Reshma Jayesh
2 May 2025: Three University of ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ Master of Architecture students – Stephanie Bell, Julia McGrath and Nick Brown – have been announced as this year’s recipients in support of their work to address the housing and living issues ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ns face.
This year’s grant recipients will focus on retaining ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥’s “bush capital” character while densifying to support a growing population, alternative housing choices such as the missing middle, as well as making communities more safe and walkable for the aging population.
The grants were presented by ACT Minister for Transport, Chris Steel, with the backdrop of the National Capital Design Commission (NCDC) exhibition. Notable attendees included the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, the Honourable Bill Shorten, the Faculty of Arts and Design’s Executive Dean Professor Julian Knowles and Alastair Swayn Foundation CEO Erin Hinton, along with other Foundation members and UC staff.
“The ACT Government continues to support the Alastair Swayn Masters Research Grants program, where talented and rising architects have the opportunity to learn from the ACT Government Architect,” said Mr Steel.
“Each year, students gain valuable insight into the work and priorities of the ACT Government, while also helping us examine important areas of planning and design.”
Mr Shorten emphasised the importance of civic engagement and philanthropic support.
“It’s great that the ACT government is engaged. They want to see ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ grow and they understand the crucial nature of design in the growth.
“Public investment in buildings isn't just a transaction. Architecture is the science and art of design and the building of structures in which we live our lives. This is a centre of excellence and I'm keen to back it in. I'm sure that we can do a lot, not just for ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥, but for the nation right from here.”
Here’s a look at the winning projects:
Colouring ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥’s Suburbs Blue: An Alternative Densification Option for Suburban Infill by Mrs Stephanie Bell: “I’m researching housing issues focusing on how we might retain the character of ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥’s suburbs and how new infill housing could be placed to respect that character. I’m looking at a new housing model called Bluefield Housing, developed in Adeliade, which is also a garden city, but with a very different character to ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥. I’m exploring whether that approach could be applied here and how successful it can be, especially in the “ex-govie” suburbs (suburbs predominantly built in ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ around the 1960s with a high proportion of public housing) that ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ has many of. For example, I’m doing a detailed analysis on Watson as a sample of those suburbs and using that as a case study to analyse the patterns, and understand what it is now, how it has changed over time and how it can change into the future.”
Space Syntax analysis of ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥’s ‘family homes’: Lessons from Detached Houses to inform the Design of Apartments by Ms Julia McGrath: “At its core, my project is about finding ways to improve high density housing for families with children. To do that, I'm doing a review and analysis of housing typologies including the detached suburban family home, missing middle housing, and apartment buildings. The aim is to identify what the essential fundamental characteristics of the 'family home' are, and if there are opportunities that we can integrate those characteristics into higher density housing outcomes to improve the quality of life for families and children living in ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥."
"The analysis spans three scales - the interior (the internal layout), the site (what exists between the dwelling and the street, including spaces like front and back yards), and the surrounding context. My findings so far highlight the importance of integrating outside spaces successfully with the interior spaces of the detached family home, and hope to provide strategies and case studies for how this could be achieved in missing middle and apartment housing developments."
Walkability and Feelings of Insideness: Analysing Aged Care Facilities in ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ by Mr Nick Brown: “My research explores how ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥’s built environment supports walkability for older adults living in aged care facilities and retirement villages. With Australia's population ageing rapidly (projected to reach nearly one in four people over the age of 65 in the next few decades), enabling older adults to remain active and connected to their communities is increasingly vital.
“ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ boasts over 2,500 kilometres of footpaths and more than 68 aged care and retirement living sites. While the infrastructure exists, its effectiveness for older residents remains unknown. My study investigates how accessible and welcoming these pedestrian routes are, particularly between aged care residences and key local destinations such as shops, parks, and community centres. This isn’t just a question of distance. Walkability depends on whether routes feel safe, navigable, and comfortable.
“For many older ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ns, uneven footpaths, difficult road crossings, or a lack of resting points can turn a short walk into a barrier to participation. My research seeks to understand what enables older people to walk in their neighbourhoods, and what prevents them, so we can design more inclusive streets and suburbs. By identifying the factors that support or hinder walkability, we can create neighbourhoods that help older residents stay physically active, socially connected, and independent for longer.”
Dr John Ting, Course Convenor of Master of Architecture, and Senior Lecturer, School of Design and Built Environment, said that the grant program is a great opportunity for students to engage with the ACT Government Architect and the ACT Government’s Environmental, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) through their research projects, and to address real world problems through their findings.
“The program enables students to work on research projects that can help the government develop and implement policies related to the built environment. It is also a chance for staff to collaborate with the government and the Foundation on developing research topics for ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥,” Mr Ting said.
“We really appreciate the support of the Foundation in their funding of these grants for our students – it’s exciting for UC staff and students to be involved in such a unique program.”
Previously called the Alastair Swayn Internship (ASI), the program was established in 2020 in honour of prominent ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ architect Alastair Swayn AO, who was also a Professorial Fellow at UC.
The program is jointly funded by the Alastair Swayn Foundation and EPSDD. Grant recipients are selected through the Master of Architecture research methods unit.