Nurturing Future Talent: Urban Transformation Summer School and Cadetship
What is UT SS?
The Urban Transformation Summer School (UT SS) is an intensive, full time university subject that Western Sydney University students can partake in to tackle real urban problems raised in the Sydney community.
Unlike a traditional university subject, the UT SS invites participants from multiple disciplinaries, such as
architecture, construction, design and the arts to collaboratively solve real world issues.
At Holdmark, supporting the next generation of industry professionals is at the heart of our commitment to shaping better cities. The intensive multidisciplinary program delivered in partnership with Western Sydney University and Powerhouse Parramatta has a real impact on the future leaders in our industry.
Holdmark is Investing in our Future Cities
Holdmark is proud to support initiatives like the Urban Transformation Summer School, which strengthen connections between academia, industry, and the community. By creating opportunities for students like Gabriel, we’re not only helping launch future careers, we are contributing to a more thoughtful, inclusive and innovative urban future for Western Sydney and beyond.
Through industry exposure and hands on learning, participants like Holdmark cadet Gabriel Smano gain invaluable experience beyond the classroom. An investment into future talent is an investment into better cities.
Gabriel Experience through UT SS
For Gabriel Smano, a Bachelor of Building Design Management student at Western Sydney University and a cadet at Holdmark, the UT SS experience became a defining moment in his professional journey, bridging academic learning with real-world urban challenges. One of the most impactful elements of the program was the core project itself. Students were presented with letters written by primary school children expressing concerns about their local neighbourhoods, from safety and accessibility to environmental issues. Gabriel’s group selected a letter describing the poor condition of a public plaza in Cabramatta, where bird waste, lack of seating and minimal greenery affected how families used the space.
“What stood out was how honest and direct the letter was, it came from a child,” Gabriel explains. “It made us rethink how we approach design. We had to start from a very human perspective.” The challenge went beyond conventional design responses. The group explored how urban spaces could better accommodate both people and wildlife, developing a modular design that addressed hygiene, comfort, environmental sustainability and biodiversity.
“It wasn’t something architects usually design for,” Gabriel says. “Working with birds and humans together meant thinking about urban ecology, culture, climate and behaviour all at once.” Their proposal included green infrastructure, seating solutions and integrated bird feeding systems, designed not just as an idea, but physically built as a prototype. The project has since been retained for further consideration through government and community channels.
One of the key strengths of UT SS and cadetship is the direct industry exposure it provides. Students gain firsthand insight into how urban projects are conceived, tested and delivered, far beyond what is possible in a purely academic setting. Gabriel, who joined Holdmark as a cadet during his studies, experienced this connection from both sides. “Studying and working at the same time completely changed how I approached university,” he says. “By my fourth year, there was a huge difference between students who had industry experience and those who didn’t.”
“Programs like the UT SS and working at Holdmark have given me the confidence to ask questions, seek knowledge and understand where I want my career to go.” – Gabriel Smano
Enquiries
