Architect and designer Talisa Dwiyani combines passion, materials, and collaboration in her work
Hailing from Indonesia, Talisa graduated with a Master of Creative Sustainability at Aalto University in 2020. Her takeaway from Aalto is the cross-disciplinary way of working.
“Collaborating with people with different expertise and multidisciplinary backgrounds is the most powerful way to work together. We’re not bound or limited to one perception or area, and it helps nourish everyone’s creativity.”
During her studies, she participated in the Design Meets Biomaterials course and the CHEMARTS Summer School. For Talisa, CHEMARTS was limitless creativity and fun.
“As a design student, experimenting in a chemistry lab was super cool because the project you work on is based on your own interests. By combining science, chemistry, and design thinking, I could move forward in my thinking.”
She describes the collaboration between students, tutors, and teachers as one of the best parts of CHEMARTS because everyone supported each other’s thoughts and helped to brainstorm ideas even further.
Talisa recommends CHEMARTS for everyone passionate about speculating what kind of materials could improve our lives and surroundings.
“Enjoy the study time because it’s the best time to let yourself go wild and crazy with all your ideas. You are also in a university with the most complete tools regarding labs and types of machinery. Use the time wisely!”
Currently, Talisa works as an architect at ADA Studio and a material designer for her own studio, Sabin Collective. Talisa acknowledges that navigating a career after graduation wasn’t at first straightforward.
“If you keep following your passion patiently, then not just one, but many doors will open for you. I started as a research assistant, then applied for funding with my professors, and then again independently. After all the hard work, I now have my own studio and clients.”
“I introduce my clients to more ethical alternative materials and raise their awareness of them. I believe the more we understand the materials, the better we know how to apply them in our projects.”
The spark gained from CHEMARTS still lives on. In the future, Talisa will keep focusing on collaborative work and hosting public workshops.
“Materials and design are still my passion and obsession at the same time. I don’t mind spending my time diving into it even more.”
