Team

Alex Longley

Managing Director

Alex founded Arcadia in 2011 to establish a landscape firm that is driven to create world-class landscape outcomes. His passion for connecting people with the landscape, and his longstanding industry relationships built on his ability to deliver exceptional projects, have helped Arcadia become one of the leading landscape architecture firms in Sydney. Also key to Arcadia’s success is the way Alex’s belief in nurturing team development has built a talented team within a collaborative workplace environment. Alex has provided the inspiration for a unique studio culture, including Friday BBQs on the deck, the annual ski trip and Arcadia’s famous Christmas parties. 

Michael Barnett

Managing Director

Mike became a Principal of Arcadia in 2014 bringing an ability to create authentic and compelling open spaces. Mike excels at challenging the process and driving the team to deliver rigor and detail in their work. This results in project outcomes that exceed client expectations, strengthening Arcadia’s reputation for delivery of quality projects. Mike’s an adventurer at heart – whether you find him snow-boarding, on his motorbike or exploring Sydney’s newest open spaces with his family, you can be sure he’s finding inspiration for his innovative designs.

Chris Tidswell

Studio Lead - Sydney

With a passion for designing memorable places, Chris’ approach is always specific to the site, creating a narrative to support the place and experience.His multidisciplinary qualifications allow him to provide extensive knowledge to create high quality designs in the public realm. He has Landscape and Architectural Masters Qualifications that are accompanied by a Project Management qualification, giving him a well-balanced and complementary skillset to deliver a market leading approach to Urban Design and Landscape Architecture.

Nathan Clausen

Studio Lead - Brisbane

Excited by the opportunities to help shape public domain in Brisbane, Nathan has been leading the Arcadia Brisbane studio since it was established in 2018. With a passion for designing inspirational places that activate and invigorate spaces for people to enjoy, Nathan has led the team to deliver imaginative, intelligent and client-focused design solutions in sectors as diverse as public realm, residential, retail, health, aged care retirement living, infrastructure, sport and recreation and education.

Nelson Gomes

Studio Lead - Melbourne

With a passion for city-shaping projects and a love for design, Nelson has used his people-centric, collaborative and innovative design style to lead some of Melbourne’s most high-profile landscape architecture projects in recent years. His extensive experience across all project delivery stages and working in a range of scenarios, uniquely positions him to lead Arcadia’s Melbourne studio.

Mitchell Audsley

Studio Lead - Canberra

Born and bred in Canberra, Mitchell has returned to his hometown to lead the Arcadia Canberra studio. Mitchell specialises in multidisciplinary projects, with the vision to deliver functional and invigorating spaces which showcase his attention to detail through high-quality outcomes. With a keen interest in sustainability and horticulture, Mitchell not only aims to integrate these to optimise the user experience in his designs, he also spends any free time he has digging, planting, and tending the chooks creating his own productive garden. Lucky Canberra team to share in the yield from his garden!

Nicole Wilson

Principal - Sydney

If we could bottle and sell Nicole’s energy and her adventurous spirit, we’d be millionaires! If she’s not in the studio inspiring our teams to create world-class landscapes, she’s motoX riding with her boys, riding her Harley Davidson or embracing life on the sidelines as a footy mum. With over 15 years of diverse local and international experience, she has a considered design approach to every project she undertakes. Whether it’s a neighbourhood park for families to gather, or a village square with the flexibility to host events and pop-ups; Nicole’s desired outcome is a project which offers something for everyone. She believes that great design outcomes always stem from the collaboration of many minds. To have the opportunity to come together and generate innovative ways to solve even the most complex urban issues; the end result is always a project outcome that is thoughtful, resilient and enduring. There’s nothing more rewarding than creating new landscapes “that just work”.

Ben Newell

Principal - Brisbane

With 20 years of experience as designer and project manager, Ben has led multidisciplinary teams providing integrated, broad-based solutions on complex design and planning projects. After a childhood of cold Canberra winters it’s hardly surprising that Ben has embraced the laidback tropical lifestyle of Brisbane and a love of outdoor spaces. Designing high-end, sustainable and meaningful public realm & open spaces has become a passion for Ben, to the point where he spends his holidays photographing open spaces. Either that or indulging in his obsession with muscle cars!

Elly Russell

Principal - Melbourne

Elly Russell is a Landscape Architect bringing international experience in high profile and complex projects, leading multidisciplinary teams in Australia, Singapore, Monaco and the UK. Her experience includes Australian and New Zealand public landscapes of international acclaim including large waterfront precincts, urban design frameworks, educational spaces, street scape revitalisations. Elly also enjoys creating smaller inspiring or impactful artful landscapes. A passionate designer and explorer, Elly appreciates collaboration in striving for both ecologically and socially restorative landscapes. She believes an interdisciplinary approach is vital, to achieve the regenerative measures required to collectively tackle our climate and biodiversity
crises, adopting more holistic Traditional Owner notions of Country.

Andrew Ewington

Principal - Sydney

Andrew’s passion for the intricacies of detailed design and the finishing touches on projects, is evident in the successful delivery of landmark landscape developments across New South Wales. With extensive experience leading large, complex projects with diverse stakeholders, his work spans urban design, open space, recreation, education, institutional, and residential sectors. A registered Landscape Architect, Andrew specialises in design development, documentation, technical direction, and construction-phase services for large-scale, integrated urban design projects.

Jason Kocmar

Principal - Canberra

Jason Kocmar is a Senior Associate Landscape Architect with more than
15 years experience working across broad range of landscape and urban
design projects in ACT, NSW and USA. Prior to joining Arcadia, Jason was
part of an multi-disciplinary firm in Tennesee, where he gained a new
perspective on landscape design and how people interact with the built
environment.

Jason has a passion for designing active public spaces coupled with a
knowledge of how to create distinct and personable human experiences.
A steward of the environment, Jason is proficient in Water Sensitive Urban
Design (WSUD), and understands how to get the most out of tough urban
environments. His extensive knowledge spans concept development,
documentation, and construction management across various design
scales including mixed-use, residential, seniors living, open space, WSUD,
stormwater management and major infrastructure projects.

Jack Stevenson

Principal - Newcastle

With more than 13 years of Australian and international industry experience, Jack has a passion for design and creative problem solving. His distinctive approach to concept-driven practice, underpinned by his meticulous research, consistently delivers designs that are engaging and unique. Jack’s design ethos is driven by the desire to develop spaces that are sustainable, adaptive and encourage meaningful interaction between people and the environment.

Dajon Veldman

Principal - Urban Design

Dajon is an accomplished urban designer with over 25 years of international experience in design and masterplanning. His extensive portfolio spans Australia, the Middle East, China, India, and his native The Netherlands. His work fosters long-term sustainability and prosperity in the built environment. Dajon’s design philosophy is centered on creating inclusive, resilient, and context-sensitive urban spaces that enhance the quality of life for communities.

Daniel Byrne

Chief Financial Officer

Samantha Chestney

Head of People and Culture

Ruth Bartlet-Pullen

Commercial and Business Lead

Ruth brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the team, applying her considered approach to Arcadia’s overall business strategy. A former architect, Ruth has built and maintained strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders and is responsible for developing strategic initiatives to grow the business, ensuring the Arcadia’s competitive presence in the market. 

Andrew Reynolds

IT Manager | Digital Innovation and Technology

With two decades of experience across IT Management, Software Development, Product Management, and Customer Success, Andrew brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership to Arcadia. He leads the Digital Innovation & Technology team, driving efficiency, scalability, and innovation across the business.

Andrew’s career has spanned technical helpdesk oversight, enterprise IT strategy, software product development, and customer-focused solutions. This breadth of experience allows him to bridge the gap between technology and business needs, ensuring systems, workflows, and platforms align with Arcadia’s long-term growth.

Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance collaboration and performance, Andrew works closely with leadership and project teams to implement solutions that optimise operations, strengthen digital capabilities, and future proof Arcadia’s technology landscape.

Sherwin Espejo

Digital Design Lead

In response to the escalating complexity of the industry, both in terms of scale and organization, Sherwin has adopted a critical approach, immersing myself in the latest BIM/VDC principles and digital tools. This has enabled him to streamline workflows, enhancing speed, accuracy, and efficiency across all stakeholders. His involvement spans various phases and sectors of the building industry, from design to construction, from conventional methods to Prefabricated Pre-finish Volumetric Construction (PPVC), and from large-scale building developments to landscape and public domain projects.

Dimas De Novais

BIM Manager

Dimas is a highly experienced Digital Engineering Lead, BIM Manager, and Technical Specialist with over 20 years in the building and services industry.

A recognised expert in CAD, 3D modelling, and project management, Dimas has presented at multiple industry congresses, sharing insights on innovation and efficiency in digital engineering practices. His proven ability to engage stakeholders and deliver successful, complex projects continues to shape the industry.

Jason Taylor

Senior Associate

Jason is passionate about creating great spaces in South East Queensland, with a particular interest in designing urban open spaces and active parks. A strong believer in the culture of collaboration, Jason’s strength lies in fostering an openness and empathy with clients, as well as the relevant authorities, to ensure that the various stakeholders’ interests and goals are maintained.

Christoph Kaufmann

Senior Associate

Christoph has seventeen years of professional experience as landscape architect. He has successfully designed, managed and delivered projects across Australia and the Middle East including complex city-shaping rail infrastructure and public domain projects, large-scale parklands and open space projects, learning environments and residential developments of various scales, including master planning.

Using his design, management, and delivery skills to collaboratively develop integrated site-specific high-quality design solutions, Christoph creates sustainable and meaningful public open spaces with a clear sense of space, inspired by their local context, their users and the environments they sit within. As a designer and project manager, Christoph has successfully led complex multidisciplinary teams such as the Urban Design and Landscape team for the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 project from the design and construction phases through to practical completion of several sections of the project.

Daniel Drummond

Senior Associate

Annabel Lydon

Senior Associate

With over seven years of industry experience, Annabel has developed a considered approach to design, always being mindful of the users that will visit the spaces and the impact it will have on their lives. She is particularly invested in creating enjoyable and inviting spaces that encourage people of all abilities and ages to engage with the natural environment.

Daniel Spicer

Senior Associate

Over more than five years at Arcadia, Daniel has worked on projects of all sizes, using his strong skills for communication and innovation to successfully collaborate on multidisciplinary teams. Recent projects include State Significant and city-shaping public domain projects, working in complex packages. He is experienced in using cultural engagement to create spaces with a unique design narrative.

Daniel is passionate about designing organic, multi-functional and unique
spaces within the landscape, focusing on the permeability of activity. A strong believer in referencing the natural landscape into each of his designs, Daniel contributes meaningful spaces within the built environment, striving for unique and collaborative spaces that improve the relationship between the user and landscape.

Annabel Lewis

Associate

Let’s get the obvious out of the way – Annabel’s amazing hair! The hair that was voted runner up in Schwarzkopf’s Most Beautiful Hair competition in 2013 is the first thing we all notice about Annabel. Beyond the mane is a former rural resident who cares deeply about creating drought tolerant, sustainable landscapes. She’s also strongly drawn to education-based projects and loves to draw on the experience of her teacher parents to gain insights for her designs. Annabel’s weekends are filled with bushwalks, country visits and sharing food and wine with friends.

Surong Sun

Associate

Surong is a highly experienced registered landscape architect (AILA) with fifteen years of experience across Australia, Middle East and China. She has been involved in many awarded projects ranging from play spaces, education spaces, public domain landscapes and masterplans. With fundamental interests and knowledge in the postindustrial landscape, infrastructure integration, Indigenous landscape, environmental urbanism, and water-sensitive urban design, Surong has worked on projects at multiple scales, seeing projects through from conception to construction.

Cristina Puig

Associate

Cristina is a Landscape Architect, Arborist and Agricultural Engineer with over 17 years of international and Australian experience across various roles in landscape design, technical consultancy, and construction and maintenance management. Cristina’s experience spans a diverse range of sectors, including open space, recreational precincts, educational and aged care facilities, residential subdivisions, and multi-unit developments.

With a background in arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, and project management, Cristina brings a practical yet creative approach, balancing vision with real-world solutions. Cristina is passionate about creating places that are both meaningful and resilient. She believes in design that respects the land, connects people, and stands the test of time.

Lorena Morgia

Associate

Lorena has over 20 years of experience delivering projects internationally and across Australia. She has played a key role in providing quality design and documentation for a diverse range of project typologies spanning mixed use, residential, defence, education, heritage, infrastructure, hospitals, aged care, retirement, and public realm.

While working in Singapore for eight years, Lorena was involved in major projects across South East Asia, China and the Middle East. Her extensive graphic, design and technical skills along with her meticulous nature ensures high quality assurance for every project assigned to her.

Lorena is passionate about designing landscape spaces that ensures an enduring positive impact to the health and wellbeing of end users.

Han Chen

Associate

Han is a strong advocate for evidence‑based design. He thrives on creating landscapes that benefit the urban environment and the people who experience it. He has worked across a broad range of project typologies and scales from concept design to implementation. With each project, he seeks to create public spaces that facilitate sustainable connections between its people and place.

Han is passionate about bringing human experience and scale to the forefront of landscape design. He believes a good landscape design should promote social interaction and transform our cities into more diverse, inclusive, and engaging places.

Yiling Jiang

Senior Landscape Architect

Yiling graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Masters degree of Landscape Architecture and Bachelor in both Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Having lived in different cities in China and Australia, she has developed a strong understanding of the culture of both of the countries. Her design approach is centred on local culture and humanistic thinking.

With more than five years of work experience in Shanghai and Sydney, Yiling has developed expertise in infrastructure, having supported large infrastructure projects locally and interstate. This expertise has provided a strong foundation for Yiling to expand her skillset across all sectors.

Ruiqi Shen

Senior Landscape Architect

Ruiqi Shen has contributed to numerous landscape architecture and urban design projects spanning Australia and China. Engaging in every stage of project development, he predominantly operated within the private sector as a consultant and designer, collaborating with government agencies and real estate developers.

Ruiqi’s key areas of interest and expertise encompass Transitoriented Urban Design/Landscape Architecture, Place-making, Global Design Practice, and Computer-aided Design.

Chang Liu

Senior Landscape Architect

Coming from Xinxiang, a small city in China, Chang has brought a simple, fresh and contemporary design approach to Arcadia, combining her modern Asian influences with an enthusiasm to embrace and experience the outdoor lifestyle of Sydney. Her favourite outdoor space is a table tennis court – but while she plays to relax, she’s happiest when she’s winning. That’s the competitive spirit that makes Chang perfect for Arcadia!

Rose Gurney

Senior Landscape Architect

With more than three years of industry experience and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours) from the University of Technology Sydney, Rose’s key interests lie in sustainable landscape design that facilitates multi-species habitation and community engagement. Rose is driven to create resilient landscapes for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

Rose’s experience spans various sectors, including high-end residential, masterplanning, open space, commercial, health and education, working on all stages from concept to project delivery. She is developing her understanding and experience working with First Nations collaborators and Knowledge Holders and is passionate about designing spaces sensitive to these stories.

Rhys Probert

Senior Landscape Architect

Rhys Probert is a Senior Landscape Architect based in the Canberra Studio on Nugnnawal land. Rhys has experience in all aspects of
landscape design from masterplanning and DA development through to construction documentation and surveillance. Over his career he has developed a strong background in 3D modelling and design documentation for projects of all scales, from small planting trials to large public domain and infrastructure works.

Max Molinia

Senior Landscape Architect

Max is passionate about delivering a quality design that is both functional and aesthetic. He believes sustainability and cultural impacts are relevant to all projects and have to be a considered factor before a design begins.

He takes pride in his capacity to discern the community’s needs in relation to the project and develop a distinctive design that not only addresses the populace but also integrates seamlessly with the landscape. With a growing understanding and experience working with First Nations collaborators and Knowledge Holders , Max is passionate about designing spaces sensitive to these stories.

Saurabh Wagh

Senior Landscape Architect

As a Landscape Architect with over five years of experience in the architecture and planning industry, Saurabh is passionate about designing and delivering landscapes that enhance the quality of life and the environment.

Benn Reason

Senior Landscape Architect

Having worked on projects in Australia and the Middle East, Benn has extensive experience in masterplanning, urban design, public space, residential, and aged care projects.

Benn enjoys contributing meaningful value to projects that have a positive impact on the community. He is passionate about projects where thoughtful engagement and localised benefits are both prioritised by the client and enjoyed by the end user.

Benn thrives in project management and client-facing roles, overseeing all stages of a project while empowering the team to reach their potential. A practical thinker, Benn is adept at solving problems with creative solutions.

Jack Wilkins

Senior Landscape Architect

Jack strongly believes in delivering innovative designs that find the balance between being functional and aesthetic. Jack also believes in the importance of working with Country and acknowledging the land we work on. Jack is passionate about creating landscapes that are informed through community engagement, activation, existing systems and the natural environment. He enjoys the challenge of finding the right balance of built and natural environments to improve the wellbeing of people using the space by creating landscapes that respond to their needs and have a positive effect on the environment.

Rafi Grant

Senior Landscape Architect

With more than four years of professional experience as a Landscape Architect in New Zealand and Australia, Rafi’s expertise spans various design realms, from masterplanning and subdivision development to high-end residential projects and state housing programs. Rafi aims to impact both natural and built environments meaningfully, ensuring they thrive harmoniously. He aspires to create memorable interactions between people and places by blending elements of ecology, sustainability, and culture.

With a solid background in construction, Rafi immersed himself in the built environment, fostering a keen interest in its intricacies. Now that he resides in Sydney, he is eager to bring his passion for sustainability and nature to Australian landscapes.

Cody Hooper

Senior Landscape Architect

Cody has a diverse range of experience within the realm of landscape architecture and urban design. He is a passionate Senior Landscape Architect with an interest in producing graphic representation of large-scale urban landscapes and their influence on social and ecological systems. Having completed his Bachelor’s at RMIT University, Cody prides himself on integrating his outside-the-box thinking with infrastructure and transport projects across different scales.

Elaine Wang

Senior Urban Designer

Elaine Wang is an Urban Designer with a solid foundation in architectural design and a proven track record in delivering transformative, sustainable urban projects. Her extensive expertise in master planning, built-form design, and transit-oriented development (TOD), is underpinned by a human-centred approach to urban transformation.

With experience across diverse contexts, from metropolitan Australia to international projects in Thailand, Elaine is adept at creating innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges of urbanisation across various cultural and environmental settings. Elaine’s brings a forward thinking approach, technical expertise and ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects.

Matt Tancred

Landscape Construction Manager

With 30 years of industry experience, Matthew has built a reputation as a deeply passionate advocate for open spaces. With decades of structural landscaping experience, Matthew has worked across many roles within civil landscaping and construction. This diversity has led to a rare depth of skill and knowledge in delivering successful project outcomes.

Will Gordon

Indigenous Design Consultant

Will Gordon is a proud Kabi-Kabi Goreng Goreng, with strong connections to the Redfern and South-East Sydney Indigenous community through his family and career. Will is passionate about fostering educational opportunities for Indigenous children and has been instrumental in developing programs that supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to connect with culture and learn about Blak history through art, yarning, and Indigenous games. His connection to Indigneous communities has led to the foundation of a number of community events, including the successful 3 Bridges NAIDOC Family Celebration in the Georges River region and the Burbangana Aboriginal Youth Mentoring program.

Noah Orman

Indigenous Landscape Strategist

Noah Orman is studying Landscape Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney and is the recipient of the Arcadia Landscape Architecture Scholarship for Indigenous Students. A proud Birri and Guugu Yimithirr man from North Queensland, Noah has lived on the lands of the Garigal people on Sydney’s Northern Beaches since 2012.

Guided by his Indigenous heritage and commitment to environmental stewardship, Noah is passionate about designing spaces that harmonize urban life with nature. He aims to create landscapes that inspire, enhance well-being, and respect cultural and ecological values.