People

   Brisbane

Bringing more than 12 years of experience across statutory and strategic planning to the team, Amanda is a talented project manager specialising in strategic planning policy, using her skills as a strong communicator to engage key stakeholders and facilitate a clear pathway to obtaining approvals. Amanda takes pride in understanding the client’s vision and values delivering projects as a partnership, building trusted relationships to achieve long-term, sustainable outcomes. Throughout her career, Amanda has been a key driver in delivering master plans for both metropolitan and regional areas and iconic tourism projects, understanding that the people to place connection, whether it be from a local or visitor perspective is the most important factor when planning for a region’s social, economic and environmental future.

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   Gold Coast

Andrew has more than 30 years design experience, and demonstrates his passion for the ‘bits beyond the buildings’, drawing inspiration from his international experience, nature and the world in which we live. Andrew has been fortunate to work in numerous countries on a range of projects. From new town developments to small lot housing and courtyard design, large scale urban schemes, high end resorts, theme parks, civic space and beyond. Regardless of the project, all share a common thread – the desire to see the best design outcome. Andrew believes the integration of our works with the natural systems is a shared responsibility that is a given, as good design transcends the fashion of the moment. Design challenges are what make Andrew tick; finding the answer that works for the client and ultimately the end user. It is the satisfaction that comes from this that drags Andrew from the beach – most days.

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   Brisbane

Angus is an experienced town planner with expertise in urban regeneration approvals across all levels of both New South Wales and Queensland planning systems. Angus’ extensive statutory planning experience and ability to think beyond the standard town planning process has seen him facilitate planning approvals for complex residential, commercial and industrial developments, proactively engaging council prior to lodgement to ensure a streamlined and efficient assessment process.

Through Angus’ strong understanding of the commercial realities of property development, he is able to effectively apply a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving and manage stakeholder expectations in a way that meets project deadlines and achieves high quality outcomes.

Announced as part of the UDIA NSW Young Leaders Committee for 2019, Angus will be at the forefront of contributing regularly and directly to planning policy development throughout the year.

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With over 17 years of experience Beth has an innovative and diverse approach to the strategic operations for Place Design Group across our Australian and Asian markets.

An award winning leader, Beth is currently recognised for the development of emerging, innovative methods for strategic communications and consultation across industry and communities. A distinguished professional, Beth co-founded a strategic marketing and public relations firm in 2009. Here she led a range of project based services across the corporate, not-for-profit, hospitality, fashion, and lifestyle sectors for nationally and internationally renowned brands. It is this breadth of experience combined with her exceptional, strategic communications skills that have enabled her to apply a new and innovative approach to planning and design with both internal and external stakeholders for Place Design Group.

Brisbane and Sydney

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   Gold Coast

Clint brings over 20 years of international design experience, working on a wide variety of esteemed landscape projects, and has both lived and worked in multiple developed and developing counties across Asia Pacific and Europe. Clint’s enthusiasm for  design and appreciation of both the natural and the cultural fabric has enabled him to lead design teams with a flexible design approach to projects in varying locations. Destination lifestyle projects that embody community, culture and visitor experience are a personal passion of Clint’s within the built environment design space. His team approach with emphasis on clarity of design communication has been instrumental in the completion of work on many local & international projects resulting in successfully  delivered outcomes. Clint’s project experience ranges from hotel and resort design, urban regeneration, large master-planned mixed use tourism developments, civic design, mixed use residential and commercial developments, cultural and educational facilities, open space regenerations and parklands, to detailed residential design.

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   Brisbane

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   Gold Coast

With over 18 years’ experience in the planning realm, Frazer relocated to Australia from the UK in early 2018 and took on the role of Senior Town Planner in our Place Design Group Gold Coast office. While Planning legislation and policy differs between countries, Frazer has quickly and effectively added value to our clients and their projects with his international planning knowledge and expertise.

Frazer is driven by the satisfaction of navigating complex ideas and concepts, turning them into positive client outcomes. He thrives on the diversity offered by planning across the varying sectors in both a strategic and development assessment capacity.

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   Shanghai

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   Townsville

A Townsville resident since 1983, Hywel has 30 years of local experience in the landscape architectural profession. As a Registered Landscape Architect and Member of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, he is dedicated and passionate about delivering project outcomes that are functional and highly presentable. Hywel specialises in the management and design of external landscape development works to a range of projects including residential subdivisions and developments, schools, aged care developments and public open space networks. Hywel possess local knowledge, experience, and understanding of what it takes to design, deliver, and establish sustainable landscape development works to projects across Townsville and North Queensland generally.

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   Brisbane

Ian is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a Director of Queensland Ballet, Trickling filters Australia, Brisbane Portrait Prize and Chairman of Tax Practioners Board as well as The Water and Carbon Group. Previous roles and appointments include non-executive Director of the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts, Chairman of Brisbane Marketing, and the Lord Mayor’s Economic Development Steering Committee, Partner of Pitcher Partners Chartered Accountants, Chairman of Queensland Artworkers Alliance, Director of Tennis Queensland and Councillor of Tennis Australia.

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   Sunshine Coast

Internationally renowned for his Urban Design and Placemaking Strategy, James is a second generation designer who has dedicated his career to improving lifestyles and experiences for the communities he works with. Having established James Birrell Design Lab in 2013, James merged with Place Design Group in 2019 and has built a stellar suite of local, national and international design, strategy and placemaking experience.

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   Sydney

Nick is detail oriented, highly creative Landscape Architect with over 10 years of dedicated experience in designing and implementing beautiful landscapes both in the public and private realm, with a proven track record of exceeding client expectations. Nick has been responsible for leading successful projects in the residential, commercial, aged care, educational sectors and master planned developments throughout Australia. Nick is passionate about the public domain, the local environments and particularly understanding and designing around the aspirations of the communities who will utilise the space, combined with the collaborative insights of the Client and Stake holder teams.

As Director, his role requires effective team leadership, high quality designed outcomes, communication skills, efficient project management, contract management and quality assurance for all documentation prepared within the office. With a passion for design and Landscape Architecture Nick loves developing new ideas in a collaborative team environment which will be enjoyed by everyone.

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   Gold Coast

Based on Queensland’s sunny Gold Coast, Peter is a highly respected planning expert whose experience spans many years with Local Authority and an extensive period in a consulting partnership prior to excelling in his current role as Planning Principal, Place Design Group. Reflective of this, Peter has a strong, established reputation in the Queensland and New South Wales planning spheres with involvement in a wide range of town planning projects across both states. These projects are inclusive of report and application preparation, town planning advice, negotiating on behalf of the development industry with Councils and Government, site and master planning, legal and court work, and statutory planning.

Peter’s planning experience and knowledge has supported his clients in achieving the best possible outcomes.

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   Brisbane

Rob is a Registered Landscape Architect with more than 19 years’ industry experience across multiple sectors for both public and private clients. He has a keen interest in exploring the relationship between natural and built environments through his imaginative yet methodical approach to design.

Rob has extensive experience in Commercial Centres, Tourism, Healthcare, Education, Public Realm and Transport & Infrastructure. He derives professional enjoyment from accomplished landscape architecture that delivers design outcomes that allow people to enjoy the health and lifestyle benefits of time spent outdoors in the Australian landscape.

As a Landscape Architect, Rob is personable and responsive. He believes that collaborative relationships with his colleagues, clients, fellow consultants and contractors, as well as those he leads, underlies creativity, work integrity and quality.

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   Brisbane

Shaun is a Registered Landscape Architect and Urban Designer with nearly 30 years’ experience delivering a diverse range of residential, environmental, open space, recreational and civic design experience. His strengths lie in the ability to interpret the initial concept ideas generated by the client, stakeholders and community feedback into exciting, integrated, responsive and buildable design solutions. Shaun’s experience in public realm, parklands, landscape and streetscape projects is extensive. These projects have ranged in size and budget and all have their own issues and complexities that needed to be resolved. Shaun delivers the client and the associated users (community) the best outcomes possible.

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   Brisbane

Shaun has more than 20 years’ experience in planning and property in Queensland; he is a Fellow of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and has held senior policy positions both with the Planning Institute of Australia and the UDIA. A Town Planner by qualification, Shaun is the principal consultant on major planning and development projects throughout Australia. Committed to the streamlining and management of the critical path for his clients, Shaun’s strategic thinking guarantees the coordination of project designers and technical specialists in a manner that remains focused on the project outcomes. Creativity of thought, in anticipating, planning and navigating a path through legislative and stakeholder challenges to a timely outcome is a key to his success in consulting.

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   Brisbane

Sue is the Design Director for China and leads Place Design Group’s International Investment team based in Brisbane. Working with developers in Australia and across Asia Sue is able to add her considerable design talents as well as organisational skills to projects across all regions. Before moving to Australia Sue was the Manager of Place Design Group Shanghai office and has been responsible for many of the company’s high-profile projects over many years.

Sue has over 17 years’ experience spanning all aspects of design including Residential Communities, Commercial and Tourism based projects. Sue has a very proactive leadership style and this has enabled her to develop exceptional client relationships. Her skill in design as well as her ability to manage and deliver projects to meet client’s needs have been recognised by numerous award wins.

As Design Director Sue continues to personally work with our teams in both China and Australia to deliver award winning projects that exceed initial expectations.

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   Sydney

Tim is a seasoned landscape architect and project manager with extensive expertise. He has successfully undertaken a wide range of projects, including master planning, open space design, recreation areas, infrastructure development, and mixed-use developments, both locally and nationally.

Throughout his career, Tim has demonstrated proficiency in all stages of the project process, from concept design to construction documentation and project management. His true passion lies in designing spaces that serve the community’s needs, with a strong emphasis on long-term benefits for current and future users.

Tim’s role requires delivering high-quality design outcomes, effective communication skills, and efficient team management. He firmly believes in the value of collaboration, encouraging team resolution and decision-making throughout the design process to ensure optimal results for clients and future space users. By prioritising client satisfaction and considering the long-term impact of his designs, Tim consistently achieves outstanding outcomes that exceed expectations.

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   Brisbane

In his 25-year career, Tony has collaborated in the planning and design of a broad range of projects in Australia as well as internationally in China, Southeast Asia and the UAE. His professional roles have involved project management, strategic planning, urban design and master planning for major developers and government agencies. This includes projects which have received industry recognition through UDIA, PIA and AILA awards. Placemaking, design quality, evidence-based planning and environmental sustainability – and how these can positively contribute to healthy communities and better cities – shape Tony’s interests and approach to professional practice. A focus on finding optimal development outcomes that strike the right balance between good city form, urban quality, resilience to climate change and commercial realities underpins this approach.

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   Sunshine Coast

Abigail is a seasoned professional with over nine years of experience in both Landscape Architecture and Urban Design. Her expertise is grounded in ecology and environmental management, which has fostered her deep-rooted passion for nature and ecology. This informs her approach to Landscape Architecture design, allowing her to tackle a diverse range of climatic and situational issues with a balanced and creative perspective.

Abigail’s design philosophy revolves around incorporating natural, cultural, social, and historical layers within the landscape. Her goal is to deliver design solutions that are both innovative and mindful of the local context. Over the course of her career, she has been involved in a multitude of projects ranging from small-scale landscape and urban design projects to larger undertakings such as master planning, urban regeneration strategies, medium-density developments, campus planning, and resort developments.

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   Sunshine Coast

Recently completing her Masters in Landscape Architecture, Allison’s hands on industry experience through her studies, has allowed her to translate her knowledge beyond textbooks into real life practical solutions.

Allison has a great passion in parametric design, 3D modelling and graphics, using Rhino, Grasshopper and Revit to feed her desire to design. She is able to demonstrate documentation with high quality graphics by using a range of software including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator as well as GIS.

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   Brisbane

Alvin brings over 20 years’ experience working on a range of landscape and urban design, city planning and transport infrastructure projects in the UK and Australia. With a diverse professional and geographical background, Alvin has developed a broad, flexible approach to his work. He understands the bigger picture and how projects relate to strategic planning and policies at a city or regional level, and also how places must be designed to meet community needs. Alvin’s work across playgrounds, public squares or foreshores and all the different types of spaces, reflects his passion for design, and more specifically, designing places for people to enjoy that genuinely makes their lives better.

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Alyce is a qualified Urban Planner with over nine years’ experience, spanning both local government and private consulting. She has qualifications in both urban development and stakeholder & community engagement.

Alyce has a diverse range of experience across strategic planning, statutory planning, and community & stakeholder engagement in a variety of jurisdictional contexts including Queensland, Australia and London, United Kingdom.

Her project experience includes neighbourhood plans, local plans, supplementary planning guidance, High Street urban renewal, appeal hearings, and a wide range of development applications representing both local government and private sector interests.

Across all of Alyce’s projects, her focus is on building strong stakeholder relationships through consulting and networking with all stakeholders while balancing their interests, in order to achieve positive outcomes of communities and clients.

Brisbane and Sydney

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   Shanghai

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   Sydney

In 2022, Anna completed her Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture (Honours). With a keen interest in planting and horticulture, Anna is committed to improving her graphic skills and expanding her understanding of how landscape architecture can positively impact the community. Since joining Place Design Group, Anna has eagerly participated in a wide range of projects, gaining valuable experiences along the way.

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   Gold Coast

Avishek is an Urban and Regional Planner, with more than three years’ local experience in Planning. His experience providing town planning services including the preparation of planning documentation and lodgement of a range of Development Applications to Council. Avishek has completed a Master’s degree in Sustainable Environment and Urban Planning from Bond University and is currently registered as an ‘Urban Planner’ with the Planning Institute of Australia. Avishek has experience working within the Gold Coast region, as well as in the Northern Territory as an Urban Planner. He has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture prior to pursuing his post-graduate studies and is currently a confirmed PhD candidate at Bond University.

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   Brisbane

Bailey is a Graduate Town Planner who studied Urban Development at Queensland University of Technology. By undertaking his studies and coupling it with his completion in Property Economics, Bailey has gained industry experience through his internships in Singapore and Indonesia, as well as his Australian Mentorship programs, broadening his vision and enriching his knowledge.

Bailey has a genuine passion in city performance, data analytics, strategic planning, economic development and how data can be integrated to inform planning and development processes. He also acquired experience on different scales of projects across Queensland that has developed his data analysis skills, combining strategic planning and economic development.

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   Sydney

Benjamin is a Landscape Architect with more than three years’ professional experience across a wide variety of commercial, urban design, residential, infrastructure, master planning and public domain projects. Benjamin synthesizes crafts such as 3D modelling and visualisation into high quality project deliverables. He takes immense pride in client communication and project deliverables.

Benjamin’s particular areas of interest include commercial & recreational spaces and how landscape can impact and inform the user experience. Working on this wide range of projects has given him experience in several aspects of landscape architecture across all project phases from site master planning, design development, documentation and project management.

Benjamin is passionate about quality outcomes that positively impact the community, the environment and client stakeholders needs. It is the core priority for all work Benjamin delivers.

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   Brisbane

With an Honours degree in Landscape Architecture and nearly three years of experience, Beth is a skilled and versatile professional with an expertise that extends across a wide spectrum of projects, from creating intimate private courtyards to designing expansive public realm spaces.

At the heart of Beth’s work are her core values, which prioritise biodiversity and the creation of enduring designs that cater to the present and future users. This commitment is evident in her meticulous and thoughtful approach to design.

Embracing an interdisciplinary mindset, Beth firmly believes in the power of collaboration. She has cultivated strong relationships with clients, subconsultants, and peers, facilitating seamless communication throughout the design process. This collaborative spirit enhances the quality and effectiveness of her work.

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   Sydney

Caleb has a keen interest in the holistic consideration of all elements of design, including flora, fauna and site systems and processes. This thinking has been informed by Caleb’s focus on First Nations land and water management techniques during his Honours year at the University of New South Wales. By integrating First Nations principles through collaboration and community engagement, he believes the environmental, social and economic functions of shared open space can be maximized and landscapes can be more resilient toward the future environmental stressors of urban and rural settings.

Spanning from large scale urban precincts and parklands to small scale plazas and pocket parks, Caleb’s university designs have allowed him to consider the breadth of design opportunities from coastal, estuarine, post-industrial and regional inland experimentation. With each design project, Caleb has accumulated tools and approaches to aid in his design debut at Place Design Group.

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   Brisbane

Camille is a Senior Associate with over 16 years professional experience in both state and local government and consultancy. Camille’s experience spans a range of areas including strategic planning, policy development, planning scheme drafting, planning process improvements and project management. She has been involved in, lead and managed large planning scheme reviews and amendments. She has particular interest in ‘keeping it simple and clear’ when developing land use planning policy and bringing it to life in planning instruments. Camille is a practical and collaborative strategic planner with a keen interest in how the built environment influences how we live, work and play.

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   Shanghai

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   Brisbane

With over 20 years’ experience as a landscape architect across Australia and internationally, Cathy brings an unrivalled wealth of knowledge, passion and problem-solving prowess to every project. Some often argue Cathy has a crystal ball, however it’s her ability to integrate her strong background in construction techniques and engineering principles into her design concepts that deliver built outcomes that often exceed client outcomes. Through her broad perspective on potential design outcomes that consider both the cultural and environmental fabric of a site, combined with strong communication skills and consultant coordination, Cathy guides her team to produce designs that create a true sense of place for the end user, while simultaneously satisfying statutory requirements – magic!

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   Townsville

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   Shenzhen

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   Shenzhen

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   Brisbane

Darcy is a Town Planner at Place Design Group with over three years’ experience in the development industry. His roles in the private sector has provided invaluable skill in negotiating development approvals for his clients through his strong knowledge of the relevant planning legislation and framework. Darcy’s working knowledge of the planning industry enables him to deliver considered and strategic advice to optimize the commercial outcome for developers and landowners.

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   Brisbane

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   Sydney

Elda achieved her Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture (Honours) and possesses a deep dedication to crafting improved environments for our future. She consistently expands her knowledge of life, form, and interconnected urban systems to create a more equitable, healthy, and sustainable impact. As a member of Place Design Group, Elda proactively seeks avenues to effectively convey ideas and design intentions through a diverse range of graphics.

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   Sydney

Ella is an undergraduate Landscape Architect at UNSW who is passionate about designing landscapes that take into account the historical systems and well-established ecosystems that exist within them. With seven years of experience in nurseries, she has honed her skills in planting management, ecosystem reintroduction, and biodiversity, and is eager to use her expertise to address the pressing issue of climate change. Ella’s design approach emphasizes the use of endemic plants to ensure their longevity in each unique space.

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   Sunshine Coast

Elli is a highly collaborative urban designer with 14 years’ experience; she brings a positive energy, curious mind, and commitment to quality. She is driven by the exploration of human experience of place and cultural  connection to place in her work. She believes a human centred focus ensures the delivery of great places, sustainable outcomes and enhanced liveability.

Elli has specialist experience in strategic urban design, master planning and consultation. She has successfully managed a broad range of projects nationally, with notable experience working on established and new activity centres. She has developed an understanding of the physical, commercial, and cultural attributes unique to these places and projects to deliver place responsive outcomes.

Elli also has keen interest and experience in consultation and placemaking processes, particularly where creative, design focused methods are used to reveal authentic values and unlock opportunities. She has completed her IAP2 Certificate in Engagement and has extensive experience in developing and delivering design led consultation processes.

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   Shanghai

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   Sunshine Coast

With over 20 years industry experience, Erin has a wealth of knowledge spanning urban design, landscape architecture , architecture, community engagement and project management.

Erins‘ experience working within the public sector for local governments, alongside her private sector experience, has given her valuable and highly sought-after insight into the drivers, challenges, and aspirations at play in both sectors. This enables her to anticipate and understand multiple perspectives and agendas that arise throughout the life of a project, and the strategic thinking required to identify and realise opportunities, and process and resolve complex issues.

Erin is passionate about respectfully working with ‘Country‘ to connect people with each other and the natural and built environment. Her focus is on fostering a ‘we‘ rather than an ‘I‘ working environment to create truly authentic collaboration. In all of her work, Erin shows a commitment to creating not just good design, but great design, with the high economic, social and environmental benefits that this can bring.

Erin is a strong operations professional with graduate studies in Architecture from University of California at Berkeley and has successfully lead multiple award winning teams.

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   Shanghai

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   Shenzhen

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   Sunshine Coast

Francois, an Associate Landscape Architect with 20 years of experience, brings a wealth of expertise to diverse projects spanning across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and France. His impressive career includes successful undertakings in town centre regeneration, residential communities, large-scale mixed-use developments, government facilities, open space, and parklands.

A master at understanding the unique character of each site, Francois develops innovative and captivating design concepts. His ability to communicate these ideas effectively through graphic design sets him apart, leaving a lasting impression on clients and stakeholders.

As a versatile professional, Francois takes projects from inception to completion, ensuring the design aligns with client requirements while maintaining the intended vision. Additionally, he holds a strong interest in integrating First Nation cultural heritage, aiming to provide a modern narrative that fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of First Nations People as an integral part of Australia’s identity.

Francois’s dedication to exceptional design, client satisfaction, and cultural inclusivity makes him a valuable asset to any project. Through his work, he leaves a positive impact on landscapes and communities, shaping a better, more inclusive future for all.

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   Brisbane

Greg has worked as a 3D Visualisation Lead for a number of architecture and design studios, where he has built his experience in a variety of typologies across education, public building, transport, interior architecture and commercial sectors. Along with having a passion for traditional and spherical photography, Greg’s unique ability to create detailed and accurate 3D representations of real-world spaces, including existing states and proposed design changes has enabled him to succeed on a number of varying multimedia projects. Greg is at ease taking complex briefs and ideas and translating them into functional, engaging and informative deliverables that keep clients’ end users and audience in mind.

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   Sydney

Harry is a Landscape Architect with a strong interest in cartography, ecology and technical process. His approach to landscape design is to continue to explore the way we communicate as designers, through different mediums and processes from large scale GIS mapping to detail design. These interests have stemmed from an understanding of ecology and natural systems, including coastal erosion, rivers, and forest structures, as well as construction and manufacturing processes.

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