Opening doors to the future of design
Published: October 30, 2026
At Urbis, we believe the best learning happens when curiosity meets experience.
Our Melbourne Design team recently welcomed architecture student Alisya Auwines to the Urbis studio who was immersed in the team with a firsthand look at how multidisciplinary teams come together to shape places, communities and cities for the future. Throughout the day, she joined project discussions, observed design reviews and experienced the collaborative environment that sits at the heart of our work.
For Alisya, the experience offered an opportunity to explore the profession beyond the university setting. Alisya grew up in Indonesia and came to Australia to study at Monash university. Her architecture studies have fostered a passion for creativity and collaboration and spending time in the studio provided a deeper understanding of how ideas are developed, challenged and refined in practice. She was particularly interested in seeing how different disciplines and perspectives contribute to projects that create meaningful outcomes for communities.
One of the aspects that resonated most was the opportunity to see community-focused design in action. Having observed projects ranging from public realm improvements to community spaces, Alisya reflected on the tangible impact that thoughtful design can have on everyday life.
"Coming to Australia and seeing how people interact with public spaces made me realise how much design influences the way communities connect”
Alongside exposure to design thinking and project development, Alisya gained insight into the broader conversations that shape Urbis projects, including stakeholder collaboration, strategy and decision-making. Seeing these elements come together offered a valuable perspective on the many career pathways available within urban consulting.
Perhaps most importantly, the day reinforced the value of collaboration. From informal desk-side conversations to team meetings and design reviews, Alisya observed how sharing ideas, seeking feedback and learning from colleagues strengthens both projects and professional growth.
Reflecting on the experience, she described the studio environment as insightful, eye-opening and welcoming.
"Everyone was willing to share their knowledge and perspectives. It showed me how important collaboration is, and how much you can learn by being open to feedback and working alongside others."
Creating opportunities like this is an important part of how Urbis supports emerging talent. By opening our doors to students and providing a thriving internship program for students, we help bridge the gap between study and practice, while offering exposure to the people, projects and ideas shaping the future of our cities and communities.
As we continue to create better outcomes for people and places, we're equally committed to supporting the next generation of professionals who will help shape what's next.
Read more about early careers.
" I want to create places that have a positive impact on people and their daily lives. The experience gave me a better understanding of how great places are shaped through collaboration”
