When Jarrad White was considering where to study architecture, one thing mattered most: finding a university where he wouldn’t be just another face in a lecture theatre.
Originally from Queenstown, Jarrad chose the University of Tasmania’s Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments because of its hands-on approach to learning and the opportunity to work closely with staff and fellow students.
“I chose architecture because I thought it was a practical way to channel my creativity and my passion for design,” he said.
“I’ve always enjoyed being in a space that is efficiently designed, where you can tell that someone has put thought into how it would be used.”
After deciding in Year 10 that university was the path he wanted to take, Jarrad explored several career options, including engineering and law. But a work experience with an architecture firm helped confirm his decision and sparked a deeper interest in that profession.
When comparing universities, he believed the architecture program at the University of Tasmania was the right size to provide opportunities that would be harder to access elsewhere.
“UTAS offers courses where I can get more hands-on experience and have much more contact with my teachers in my classes, which would not happen at a larger university,” he said.
Dedicated architecture spaces at Launceston’s Inveresk campus, such as the Workshop and Attic Studio, have provided places where students can collaborate, develop ideas and receive feedback outside scheduled class time.
The smaller cohort also means regular interaction with lecturers and peers, creating an environment where students are encouraged to challenge themselves and grow as designers.
The financial support Jarrad has received as a recipient of the Clifford Caldwell University of Tasmania Access Scholarship has also played an important role in his studies.
“The ongoing payments from this scholarship provide me with enough financial freedom that I do not have to rely on employment to fund my necessities while studying.”
One of his proudest moments so far came during a major Architecture Studio project.
Over the course of half a semester, he developed a design through weekly feedback from lecturers and peers, constantly refining his ideas and pushing himself to think differently.
The final design brought together months of work and experimentation, earning a strong result and reinforcing his passion for creating thoughtful, functional spaces.
“I deliberately chose a building that was not conventional, that challenged my abilities to consider how a space would be used”.
Outside the classroom, Jarrad has embraced opportunities to test his skills in new environments. In his first year, he teamed up with a fellow student to enter Superstudio, a national architecture design competition.
Competing against students from second year through to master’s level, the pair approached the challenge as an opportunity to learn and have fun. To their surprise, they finished equal second.
The result earned them a work experience opportunity with Cumulus Studio, providing valuable industry exposure early in their degrees.
Jarrad has also become involved in student life through Darchside, the Design and Architecture Society at the University of Tasmania, where he serves as treasurer.
With plans to continue into a master’s degree and pursue a career in architecture, Jarrad hopes to design buildings that are practical, purposeful, and centred on the people who use them.
For him, studying architecture has been about more than learning how to design buildings. Through studio projects, industry experiences and leadership opportunities, he has found the confidence to turn his passion for design into a future career.