Arcadia is strengthening its presence in Queensland with a new studio in Maroochydore, to be led by one of Queensland’s most respected landscape architects, Jamie Franklin. Pictured with Arcadia’s Queensland Leadership team, Ben Newell, Nathan Clausen and Dan Rimes, Franklin will join Arcadia as Studio Lead for the Sunshine Coast.
A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) with more than 30 years’ experience, he brings a track record of directing large, multidisciplinary consultant and stakeholder teams across complex city-shaping programs, major public realm precincts and infrastructure-led revitalisation projects.
Most recently Principal Urban Design Lead at Sunshine Coast Council, Franklin has led some of the region’s most significant place-making projects, including the $100 million Mooloolaba Placemaking Master Plan and Foreshore Revitalisation, winner of nine industry awards, the Maroochydore City Centre Precinct, and the $17 million Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre, currently under development for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He is Chair of AILA Sunshine Coast, a former Vice President of AILA Queensland, and was named Sunshine Coast Council’s CEO’s Employee of the Year in 2022.
Franklin will be joined by Senior Landscape Architect Katrina Duncan as the new studio opens its doors. Duncan brings more than 13 years’ experience across large-scale infrastructure, education, sports and recreation, streetscapes, playgrounds and master planning, and most recently mental health and incarceration facilities.
Together, the pair will work alongside Arcadia’s wider design team on some of the region’s most exciting sports, recreation, open space and mixed-use projects.
Arcadia Managing Director Alex Longley said the appointment marked a significant milestone in Arcadia’s growth on the Sunshine Coast.
“This is a big moment for Arcadia on the Sunshine Coast. Jamie is one of Queensland’s most respected landscape architects, with more than 30 years’ experience directing large, multidisciplinary teams across some of the region’s most complex city-shaping programs, public realm precincts and infrastructure-led projects,” Longley said.
“Opening our new studio in Maroochydore, with Jamie and Katrina at the helm, means we can bring that experience and local knowledge directly into our work and start collaborating with the wider Arcadia design team on some of the region’s most exciting sports, recreation, open space and mixed-use projects.”
Franklin said he was looking forward to bringing his experience to Arcadia’s growing Queensland presence.
“I’ve spent my career championing a place-based approach that puts community at the heart of the built environment, and I’m excited to bring that thinking to Arcadia,” Franklin said.
“Opening our Sunshine Coast studio is a chance to build a local team that works hand in hand with Arcadia’s national design network. I can’t wait to get started on some of the exciting projects taking shape across this region.”
