People

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.

• ✉
• 

Jenny’s background research in climate change during her studies has inspired her to further explore new strategies and tools in which can be implemented into landscape master planning, allowing communities of varying types and sizes to respond better to the rapidly increasing threat of climate change and environmental issues. Her conceptual approach in designing is grounded through observation and research, she is constantly learning new tools and technologies which enhances her approach to design visualisation and thinking. Drawing upon her current skillset in various graphics programs and hand sketching allows Jenny to communicate concepts in simplified ways.

• ✉
• 

Jessica has worked in the landscape industry for over 20 years with a focus on drafting and technical support. Jessica has gained experience working on a range of government, commercial and residential projects in North Queensland, Fiji and China. Jessica’s role as Senior Landscape Technician extends to assisting all aspects of project management as well as maintaining quality control across all project deliverables. Jessica is proficient in all graphics software packages including AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MS Office and Adobe Suite. Jessica’s role is critical in the production of landscape analysis documentation, conceptual and presentation material, and construction documentation.

• ✉

Jonathan has been in the landscape architecture sphere for over 7 years. Since graduating with his degree, he has been working both autonomously and as a team member on a range of projects from large master planned communities to private residential dwellings. A strong work ethic has seen Jonathan excel in his studies, as well as work in many different industries associated to the landscape profession.

Born and raised in the Sydney region, Jonathan has a strong connection to local landscapes and possesses the ability to effectively design in the language of the landscape setting. He is passionate about the role of Water Sensitive Urban Design in urban areas and has dedicated much of his studies towards understanding how people utilise public spaces. Jonathan takes pride in the presentation of his work and enjoys creating and delivering a high standard of documentation that is well received by our clients.

• ✉
• 

Kelly manages the payroll, accounts payable and debt collection for our Australian offices.

• ✉

Kenneth is a Registered Landscape Architect with over ten years’ experience with both local Government and private practice. His design documentation and graphical presentation skillset is supported by his strong technical knowledge which includes AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Photoshop and InDesign. It is this multifaceted skillset that has seen him work on a variety of projects including residential communities, commercial centres, resort developments, recreational spaces and hospital schemes. Kenneth’s strengths include detailed design, construction documentation & site review / contract administration. Kenneth’s technical strengths combined with attention to detail and the desire to make spaces into places, generates a positive focus on creating vibrant residential and public spaces.

• ✉
• 

With an eclectic design background encompassing architecture, information design, graphic design, wayfinding and communications, Laura’s experience and skill set allow her to approach project briefs with a unique perspective and understanding.

Laura is a talented and highly skilled design professional having worked on projects ranging from high-level wayfinding strategy for hospitals and transport networks, to illustrative graphic treatments for civic buildings and public realm. With strong and refined visual and written communication skills, data visualization, design critique and ideas dissemination, Laura can produce high-level graphic pieces which communicate messaging clearly and effectively.

• ✉

Laura is a Town Planner at Place Design Group, with over 5 years’ experience in Statutory Planning. Laura’s roles have provided her with a range of experience in the private sector, managing a variety of residential, commercial, infrastructure and mixed-use development applications within various local government authorities throughout Queensland. Laura’s technical knowledge of the planning industry and current legislation enables her to deliver strategic advice that achieves the best planning outcomes and ensures project feasibility for developers and landowners.

• ✉
• 

With a passion for urban and environmental planning, Lauren is a Town Planner at Place Design Group in our Gold Coast Office. Lauren has led several development assessments on projects throughout the Gold Coast including high rise residential buildings, mixed use developments and master planned subdivisions. It is Lauren’s belief that through planning we can make a positive change to the built environment and our communities, and through her current role, Lauren is able to do just that. With a strong interest and knowledge of planning law, development application process, conservation and strategic planning, Lauren’s motivation and drive to contribute to a community that protects and enhances Australia’s unique environment through planning shines bright.

• ✉
• 

With over 13 years’ industry experience as a graphic communications professional and project manager, Louise has worked within built form and strategic projects across Queensland, Australia and international sectors. Her professional experience demonstrates a diversity of skills from the creative direction of graphic communications, strategic design thinking, branding for place identity and project management of creative projects.

Louise is responsible for setting the graphics strategy and providing guidance across design, wayfinding, 3D visualisation and digital innovation projects across all facets of the business. Underpinned by a cross-disciplinary collaborative approach, she is able to combine content and strategic briefs into compelling, creative and high-quality deliverables that push boundaries.

Louise leads with a high level of expertise by approaching communications design and creative strategy as an integrated process, to positively communicate to community in order to create people focused outcomes.

• ✉
• 

With four years of town planning post qualification experience in the planning and development industry, primarily in the public sector, Madison utilises her vast network of contacts combined with a strong knowledge of Council’s internal processes and drivers to negotiate development approvals in her current role as a Town Planner with Place Design Group. Madison’s project experience in the northern parts of the Gold Coast has provided extensive opportunity and exposure to complex planning projects including residential, commercial and industrial sites. Madison’s working knowledge and previous experience of the planning industry drives her passion for town planning and enables her to deliver considered and strategic advice to optimise the commercial outcomes for developers and landowners.

• ✉
• 

Mal brings a wealth of knowledge and economic insight into Australia’s housing and property market with over 30 years’ experience in the property, economic development, and professional services consulting sectors. A highly regarded economist, Mal is a regular speaker and commentator on housing and property market topics for the property industry.

• ✉
• 

• ✉
• 

Matthew brings over five years’ international experience working across both the private and public sectors, on both small- and large-scale projects. Matthew’s strengths lie in the broad scope of his experiences, actively involved in the design process from concept generation to final construction documentation for a variety of projects in over twenty-two countries.

Passionate about urban design and the role of landscape architecture in the city environment, Matthew’s advanced capabilities in AutoCad, SketchUp, 3D modelling and advanced plan rendering allows an integrated and conceptual approach, delivering fresh ideas and high-quality design solutions. On top of this, Matthew’s project management skills contribute to his ability across a variety of project areas and design scales.

• ✉
• 

Megan is the Office Administrator for the Gold Coast office providing support to the teams and managing the day to day running of the office. Visiting the Gold Coast office? Megan will be the friendly face greeting you at reception.

• ✉

Michael is an enthusiastic Landscape Architect and Urban Designer with 20 years of industry experience who draws inspiration from his local and international experience, personal interests in design, art, travel, technology and a general passion for doing something well the first time.

Combining his keen eye for detail with the ability to work across different project scales, Michael thrives on balancing client, community and environmental goals to achieve the best outcome. Fortunate to have worked on a large range of projects on both an international and local scale, Michael brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and expertise across all phases of project deliverables.

• ✉
• 

With over 40 years in the landscape architecture and urban design industry, Principal Mike Swanson is behind some of Queensland’s most iconic foreshore, public realm and residential designs. With Place Design Group since its inception in 2001, Mike’s strengths in concept design, broad scale master planning, detailed designed, construction documentation, project management and contract administration have delivered project outcomes of an unparalleled quality. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Mike has worked on some of the region’s legacy projects such as Mooloolaba’s Foreshore, Town Park and First Avenue, Oceans Resort, Sirocco Resort, the Noosa Junction Place Making Strategy, Settlers Cove, and Sunshine Cove. More recently, Mike has led the landscape design and delivery of the Mooloolaba Walk & Ride Bridge, and large scale residential sub divisions; North Harbour and Pacific Harbour.

• ✉

Miranda enjoys coordinating with clients and consultants to achieve better outcomes collaboratively. Project management studies contribute to her systems-thinking approach and contract administration skills, and a background in visual arts and graphic design is evident in her conceptual design and careful documentation. Active transport and nature play are a vital part of Miranda’s work-life balance, continually feeding her inspiration and plant knowledge. Miranda’s experience spans concept to construction across various project types including public realm, education, aged care, commercial, and residential communities.

• ✉

Nani brings almost five years of architectural experience to Place Design Group’s urban design team. Nani’s broad skill set has strengthened the Urban Design teams’ offering, with the ability to produce a variety of outputs including conventional plan documentation, 3D modelling and graphic communication. Her graphic representation skills allow her to produce and collaborate on a broad range of creative solutions, ranging from presentation and marketing collateral through to digitalised plans. Additionally, having already attained her Master of Architecture, Nani is now nearing completion of her Bachelor of Urban Development, majoring in Urban and Regional Planning.

• ✉
• 

With over 13 years’ statutory planning experience working in both local government and private consultancy throughout NSW and QLD, Nick has extensive development assessment knowledge across small scale residential and commercial projects, to more complex industrial mixed-use, large scale subdivisions and residential developments. With a strong interest in the planning and environment court area with appeals for planning matters, Nick is also an expert witness for planning matters within Brisbane City Council.

• ✉
• 

Detail oriented, highly creative and with over nine years’ experience, Nick is Principal at Place Design Group at the forefront of delivering world-class design outcomes for our clients. Based in our Sydney office, it’s Nick’s approach to leadership that ensures our teams deliver on our client promise.

As a Landscape Architect, Nick has a proven track record of exceeding client expectations with elegant, beautiful designs, delivered on-time and on-budget. Having led residential, commercial, aged care, educational and playground development projects throughout Australia, and participated in multiple design competitions internationally, it’s Nick’s expertise and knowledge gained from this experience that he brings to every project.

• ✉
• 

Nicole brings over 15 years’ of experience both in the public and private sectors in Queensland and New South Wales. She has extensive strategic and statutory planning experience which has seen her achieve excellent outcomes for her Clients.  Nicole is focussed on the delivery of business objectives, projects, compliance with regulatory requirements, and assessment and management of risk.  This approach ensures the required outcome and the expectations of her Clients are achieved.  Additionally, Nicole has extensive experience working with local governments in improving their policies, codes and plans to ensure effective implementation and delivery of infrastructure, including asset management, optimisation and infrastructure planning.

• ✉
• 

Penny delivers conceptual and developed designs and built projects that are inspired, purposeful, responsive and treasured by the community.

Penny is a Registered Landscape Architect with 20 years’ experience leading and effecting complex projects for both public and private sector clients. Her knowledge and creativity combined with an attention to detail, excellent communication and collaboration skills, means she can operate across all phases of design including strategic design, master planning, conceptual and detailed design, contract documentation, technical specifications and construction administration. Her breadth of experience extends from parks and open spaces, urban and commercial centres, residential subdivisions, schools and educational facilities, health and aged care, sport and recreation facilities, playgrounds and play spaces, environmental and rehabilitation areas. She has produced a number of place making strategies and led a range of community and stakeholder consultation activities. An energetic and self-motivated Design Manager, Penny maintains the confidence and enthusiasm of her colleagues by providing them with the optimum level of leadership, guidance and hands on support to develop solutions for complex design problems and to produce high quality, accurate documents.

• ✉

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.

• ✉
• 

With over 4 years’ experience as a Town Planner, Peter has worked in both the public and private sectors on projects throughout Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Peter’s broad experience across small scale residential through to large industrial developments combined with his strong knowledge of council process and policies allows him to achieve high quality outcomes that exceed client expectations. Stemming from his strong technical background in the planning industry and knowledge of current legislation, Peter is passionate about developments designed to reduce car dependency and that result in a high-quality ‘out of the box’ planning outcome.

• ✉
• 

Rachel oversees the project financials, from day to day project data to reporting and analysis, supporting the leadership and corporate teams.

• ✉

• ✉

Shaun is a Registered Landscape Architect and Urban Designer with over 29 years’ experience delivering a diverse range of residential, environmental, open space, recreational and civic design projects. 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, with each project having its own issues and complexities, size and budget.  Shaun’s passion for delivering amazing places with long lasting legacies for the community ensures the best outcomes possible for the client and associated users.

• ✉
• 

• ✉
• 