Student's construction innovation recognised with national Good Design Award

Western Sydney University student Yusuf Nachabe has been recognised as a 2026 Australian Good Design Award winner in the Next Gen (Under 30s) category for CASTIFIX, an innovative prefabricated concrete insert system designed to improve how fixings are installed in concrete structures.

The 22-year-old Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) student from Bankstown said receiving the national award was an incredibly proud moment.

"To have my work recognised at a national level, particularly through such a respected design awards program, was something I never imagined when I first started developing the idea, or even from when I began university in 2022," said Yusuf.

The project was inspired by challenges Yusuf observed and experienced while working in the construction industry. Through research, prototyping, testing and refinement, the idea evolved into a practical solution aimed at improving construction processes.

CASTIFIX is designed to reduce the need to drill into hardened concrete by incorporating a fixing cavity into the concrete structure during the construction process.

"My experience working in construction strengthened that interest. Being exposed to real construction environments helped me recognise that even well-established industries have processes and products that could benefit from better design.”

Yusuf said his studies at Western Sydney University played a significant role in shaping both the project and his approach to design.

"Throughout my degree, I've learned that industrial design goes far beyond creating products that look appealing. It's about identifying real problems, understanding the people affected by them, and developing solutions that balance functionality, usability, materials, manufacturing and sustainability."

Dr Toktam Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, Yusuf’s supervisor from Western Sydney University's School of Built Environment and Design, said the award was a testament to his commitment and innovative thinking.

"Yusuf worked incredibly hard and showed exactly what we hope to see in an emerging designer: innovation, persistence, openness to feedback and a willingness to keep improving the work," said Dr Tabrizi.

"The jury described CASTIFIX as a 'textbook example of rigorous industrial design', highlighting its elegant response to a genuine construction challenge and the strong evolution of the design through testing and refinement."

Yusuf said one of the biggest lessons he had taken from university was learning that design is an iterative process.

"Not every concept works the first time, and sometimes the most valuable learning comes from discovering why something doesn't work."

What makes the project particularly meaningful to Yusuf is its ability to rethink an established industry process.

"What I'm most proud of is that CASTIFIX isn't simply a redesigned fixing component. It challenges the conventional installation process itself. The project demonstrates how industrial design can rethink an established construction method and potentially make it more efficient, practical and user-friendly."

Looking ahead, Yusuf hopes to continue developing CASTIFIX while building a career in industrial design and product innovation.

"I'm especially interested in taking ideas beyond the conceptual stage and developing products that have the potential to be manufactured, commercialised and used in real-world applications."

"Ultimately, I want to continue developing solutions that challenge conventional practices, solve meaningful problems and demonstrate the value of industrial design in improving the way we build and manufacture things."

ENDS.

14 October 2026
Media Unit