Building sustainable futures

Architectural engineer Sian Willmott used her VU degree and career focus to become a leader in sustainable building design.

“My love for problem-solving and physics as a child translated into a passion for designing high performance, sustainable buildings. Sustainable buildings must endure the challenges of our climate and ensure the health and wellbeing of occupants.

Studying architectural engineering at VU gave me the skills to work with other consultants to design sustainable buildings; including thermal, energy and site water consumption modelling. We also learned the importance of indoor environment quality and how this translates to how an occupant feels within a space.

Towards the end of my degree, I was accepted into an employer graduate program, which became a permanent position.

I am now a principal sustainability consultant and team leader at AECOM, leading a team of eight.

Often there is a notion that sustainable design comes at a premium cost and I’m enthusiastic to teach others how early integration of passive design and other sustainability principles means it doesn't have to.”

Want to become an engineer like Sian?

Check out her course: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural Engineering).

Find out more about engineering courses at VU.