Tiseli’s graduate design thesis is also entered in Archiprix International, a leading biennial design competition, which showcases the next generation of the world’s best architects, urbanists and landscape architects.

Archiprix International invites universities worldwide to participate in the competition by submitting the work of their most exceptional graduates who completed their studies within the last two years. Travelling to Rotterdam for the event is a remarkable achievement for Icao, who was nominated by the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning in 2021. With over 1700 registered universities participating, the student competition culminates in an award programme and inclusion in a database of the world’s best graduation projects on the Archiprix website.

Together, the student work offers unrivalled insights into the current trends and solutions in design education for addressing modern and future challenges. The Hunter Douglas Award, to be announced on Saturday 2 December, honours the competition’s top entries.

Tiseli’s thesis project earned her the opportunity to join a select group of around 40 graduate designers in Rotterdam this November. Born in Vava’u, Tongatapu, her winning thesis celebrates her Tongan heritage. ‘Mapping the Feke’ explores the concept of the ocean as a bridge rather than a divider between land and people.

“Lines between water and land are conveying the boundless nature of people ad their culture,” says Tiseli. Embracing her favourite quote by Tongan-Fijian activist, writer and schola Epeli Hau’ofa that “smallness is a state of mind”, Tiseli will bring her unique perspective to tackle the challenges of living with water in new ways during the workshop. “I’m so grateful that I get the chance to meet other graduates from around the world and look forward to learning from them as we embark on making a contribution to the future of Ukraine.”

ArchitectureNow profiled Tiseli in our On the Rise with Resene series in March this year. You can read it here.