Award winning interior design tackles social issues

Inesse Soussi’s deep-seated passion for beautiful spaces is yielding success in her studies and beyond. 

After completing an Advanced Diploma of Interior Design at Swinburne University of Technology, and while completing a Bachelor of Interior Architecture, Inesse has been recognised with awards from the Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute of Australia (KBDi) and Design Matters.

“I've liked interior design and architecture since I was a child,” Inesse said. 

“My parents always used to go to display homes and I just really liked them every single time we went. Sometimes I used to see a house in a magazine, or outside, and then I would try drawing it at home. I like beautiful spaces – it's just been something since my childhood.”  

Inspiring interiors 

Inesse began her Swinburne journey studying a Diploma of Interior Design. 

She learnt about colour, lighting, creating functional spaces, and how to use professional modelling software. 

“I liked how the course was taught,” Inesse said.  

“I felt supported by the teachers, they were very encouraging, and it was really fun.”

Inesse used the skills she developed during her studies to tackle a real-life kitchen design project. 

She worked with a locally sourced residential client through the entire design process and emerged with a stunning professional outcome.  

Inesse’s mentor encouraged her to enter her final design in the first KBDi Student Design Awards, and Inesse won the Student Kitchen Design Award. 

“It was my very first time entering a competition,” said Inesse. 

“I was really happy that I got the chance to showcase my design and have professional people acknowledge the work that I did.” 

Design that matters

Once she had completed her diploma, Inesse decided to continue her studies with the Advanced Diploma and was excited to tackle its new challenges. 

“The teachers were telling us that the project for the Advanced Diploma dealt with a social problem, and I was intrigued by that. I like designing and creating homes, but I wanted to try something new.” 

The ‘A Second Chance Project’ brief was to turn an existing neo-gothic building into a refuge for women and children who have escaped an environment of domestic abuse. 

Inesse conducted extensive research covering both design and social aspects. 

She took particular care in finding design choices that would help women who have escaped domestic violence feel safe and relaxed. 

Some of these choices included using curves and circular forms, incorporating nature, and crafting spaces with a balance of privacy and community.  

Inesse’s hard work paid off when she entered and won the 2022 Design Matters Student award. 

“I was really happy when I heard that I won,” said Inesse. 

“People know that it's a Swinburne project and it says a lot about Swinburne. I wanted to really make my teachers happy as well because they put a lot of hard work into teaching us and guiding us during that project.”