Meet Our Team

ACLA Staff Profiles
 
Angelo Carrafa

Qualifications

  • Registered Landscape Architect, AILA
  • Bachelor of Planning and Design (Hons), University of Melbourne 1992
  • Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne 1994

Memberships

  • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
  • Play Australia

Angelo Carrafa

Director

Angelo Carrafa is the Principal and founder of ACLA. With over 23 years of landscape architecture experience he has worked on a range of projects in areas of open space master planning, urban design and renewal, health and aged care, education, recreation and leisure planning, public playspace design, early childhood playspace design and mixed use residential/commercial developments. The implementation of creative designs and the process of technical resolution that leads to the final built outcome generally motivate him.

In 2002 he established ACLA Consultants based on principles of excellent service and an ability to work collaboratively with clients. He has extensive experience in design and the contract documentation and administration of complex projects complemented by methodical management skills.

He also has a persuasive ability to work with contractors to achieve high quality outcomes and is committed to producing practical, sustainable and innovative design solutions. He has completed studies in permaculture and research into sustainable urban communities. From 2006-2010 he was a sessional speaker at RMIT and Melbourne Universities in the syllabus of professional practice and has been actively involved in the mentoring of students and graduates. 

Significant Projects

  • Racecourse Road and Pin Oak Crescent Streescape Improvement and Activation Master Plan, Flemington
  • Balwyn Library Redevelopment, Balwyn
  • Murrumbeena Park Regional Playspace, Murrumbeena
  • Brimbank Park Regional Playspace, East Keilor
  • Quarry Hills Park Reserve Rest Shelters, South Morang
  • Evelyn Street Integrated Streetscape Redevelopment, Frankston
  • Church Street Streetscape Master Plan, Whittlesea
  • Ti Tree Lodge Aged Care Home, Rosebud West
  • Coleman Walk Redevelopment, St. Michael’s Grammar, St.Kilda
  • Wilma Hannah Music & Emily Hall, St. Michael’s Grammar, St.Kilda
  • Thomastown Recreation & Aquatic Centre Outdoor Recreation Area and Early Childhood Playspace
  • QANTAS Joey Club Child Care Centres, Melbourne and Brisbane
  • Whittlesea City Sportsfield Master Plans
Qualifications

  • Registered Landscape Architect, AILA
  • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne 2006

Memberships

  • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

Achievements

  • Dean’s Honours Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in 2005 (University of Melbourne)
  • Work published in Architecture, Building & Planning ‘EYES’ publication, 2003 (University of Melbourne)

Joshua Chia

Associate Director

Josh Chia is a Registered Landscape Architect and Associate Director of ACLA Consultants, joining ACLA in 2007 as a graduate from the University of Melbourne.

Josh has managed a number of significant projects including Booran Reserve Regional Playspace, which was awarded Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture and Parks and Leisure Australia awards. Other notable projects include the large scale redevelopment of Lauriston Girls’ School, Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, Harleston Park Playspace in Elsternwick and Victoria Park Regional Playground in Kew.

His experience and technical expertise is strengthened by strong communication and project management skills, leading and collaborating in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver projects of varying typologies with a high level of precision and client satisfaction.

He is inspired to create innovative solutions that are site specific, sustainable and balance socio-cultural, environmental and economical values through a highly integrated and collaborative approach. Josh is passionate about the key role landscape architecture, and he as an individual, plays in shaping our sustainable cities and communities for the future.

Significant Projects

  • Booran Reserve Regional Playspace, Glen Huntly
  • Lauriston Girls’ School Masterplan and Redevelopment, Armadale
  • Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub
  • Harleston Park Playspace, Elsternwick
  • Lake Pertobe Regional Playspace, Warrnambool
  • Pirtup Meerreengeeye Meeting Place, Warrnambool
  • Victoria Park Regional Playground, Kew
  • Toorak Park Masterplan
  • Central Gardens ‘Rocket Park’, Hawthorn
  • St Catherine’s School Senior and Junior School Redevelopments, Toorak
  • Bruce Comben Reserve, Altona Meadows
  • McKinnon Reserve Playspace, McKinnon
  • Lockerbie Community Hub, Kalkallo
  • Whittlesea Rail Trail Masterplan
Caroline Luiz
Qualifications

  • Registered Landscape Architect
  • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne 2009
  • Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne 2010

Memberships

  • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

Achievements

  • Dean’s Honours Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in 2007, 2008 and 2010 (University of Melbourne)
  • AECOM Australia Prize for Urban Design and Landscape Architecture 2010 (Univeristy of Melbourne)

Caroline Luiz

Senior Landscape Architect

Caroline is an AILA Registered, Senior Landscape Architect at ACLA Consultants with over eleven years’ professional experience in the field. Caroline brings a creative and practical outlook, delivering sophisticated design solutions to the challenges presented by each project. She strongly believes that great Landscape Architecture can genuinely improve people’s lives and that it is possible to deliver projects that achieve social, environmental, functional and aesthetic qualities. 

 Caroline has a curious mind and aspires to constantly learn, improve, innovate and grow in her professional and personal life. With her growing experience in both, she has developed a passion for mentoring others to help them realise their potential, a relationship she finds both stimulating and fulfilling. As an intersectional feminist, Caroline would also like to be more proactively involved in the remarkable community of women working in the design and construction industries.

Significant Projects

  • Packer Park Playspace Upgrade, Carnegie
  • Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park Redevelopment, Chadstone
  • Romsey Ecotherapy Park, Romsey
  • Bayview Park Playspace, Mount Waverley
  • Kilmore Creek Master Plan, Kilmore
  • Ford Park Community Activity Area, Bellfield
  • Hume Global Learning Centre, Sunbury
Michael Black
Qualifications

  • Registered Landscape Architect
  • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne, 2009

Memberships

  • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

Achievements

  • Work Published in ‘Vision: Broadmeadows 2032’, 2010 (Victorian Eco Innovation Lab)
  • Work Published in Architecture, Building and Planning ‘EYES’ publication 2008 (University of Melbourne)
  • Dean’s Honours Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in 2006 (University of Melbourne)

Michael Black

Associate

Michael joined the ACLA team in 2010. He enjoys the collaborative nature of landscape architecture and the challenges of working on a broad variety of different landscapes. He has been involved in projects including childcare centres, regional play spaces, school campus design, streetscapes upgrades and recreation reserve master plans.

Michael combines strong technical and plant knowledge with an inventive approach to design. His excellent graphic presentation skills and 3D computer modelling capabilities have been invaluable in communicating design ideas to clients and seeking additional support and funding for siginificant projects. Outside of work he also enjoys playing his guitar and making furniture…though not at the same time.

Significant Projects

  • Booran Road Reserve Regional Playspace
  • Hampshire Road Stage 1 Redevelopment, Sunshine
  • Lauriston Girls’s School Landscape Master Plan.
  • Top of the Class Child Care Centre, Hadfield
  • North East Precinct Hub, North Balwyn
  • Buckingham Reserve Regional Playspace, Sunshine
  • Brimbank Park Regional Playspace, East Keilor
  • Coleman Walk Redevelopment, St Michaels Grammar School, St. Kilda
  • Senior School Redevelopment, St Catherine’s School, Toorak
  • Junior School Playspace Refurbishment, St Catherine’s School, Toorak
  • Queen Vic Market Food Court Refurbishment, Melbourne
  • Greening Footscray Stage 4 Streetscape Redevelopment
  • Seaford Surf Lifesaving Club
  • Sunshine Youth and Community Centre
Lidia Szatkowska

Qualifications

  • Registered Landscape Architect
  • Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh 2017

Achievements

  • Edinburgh School
    of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Academic Achievement and Outstanding Thesis 2017
  • Landscape Institute Scotland Academic Achievement Award 2017

Memberships

  • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

Lidia Szatkowska

Landscape Architect

Originally from the U.K., Lidia moved to Melbourne following the completion of her Masters degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Edinburgh, joining ACLA in 2018. She has a passion for understanding the interwoven complexities of the natural landscape, with particular interest in the design collaboration between sustainability, cultural identity and therapeutic strategies.

She has become an integral part of the team through the diverse projects she has been involved with at ACLA. She endeavours to continue developing her skills and knowledge whilst working closely with both clients and the community.

In her spare time, Lidia likes to take every opportunity she can to explore the outdoors but is also happy to spend days baking and getting lost in a good book.

Significant Projects

  • Victoria Park Regional Playspace, Kew
  • Lake Pertobe Regional Playspace, Warrnambool
  • Belmore School, Balwyn

  • Hume Global Learning Centre Stage 2, Sunbury
  • Lauriston Girls’ School, Armadale
  • Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park, Malvern East
  • Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, Ivanhoe
  • Spring Gully Primary School, Bendigo
Sujan Shrestha

Qualifications

  • Master of Landscape Architecture, Deakin University 2020
  • Bachelor of Architecture, Pokhara University 2016

Memberships

  • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

Sujan Shrestha

Landscape Architect

Sujan joined ACLA in 2021 following completion of the Master of Landscape Architecture at Deakin University. He is interested in investigating and understanding the hidden meaning and the interaction between people and the experiential quality of landscape, with a strong passion for the design of a safe, vibrant and sustainable built environment. He looks forward to exploring and learning new skills and knowledge that help in design and documentation of the projects.

Always fascinated by drawing and painting since childhood, he still manages to explore and develop his understanding of watercolor painting techniques and urban sketches in his spare time.

Significant Projects

  • Eley Park Multi-Purpose Court, Blackburn South

  • Kelynack Reserve Stage 1 Upgrade, Mill Park

  • Brolga Reserve Playspace Upgrade, Carrum Downs

  • Bruce Comben Reserve Southern Open Space Upgrade, Altona Meadows

  • Caulfield Park Eastern Redevelopment, Caulfield

    Lu Zhou

    Qualifications

    • Registered Landscape Architect, AILA
    • Bachelor of Environments, University of Melbourne 2013
    • Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne 2016

    Memberships

    • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

    Lu Zhou

    Landscape Architect

    Lu is an AILA Registered Landscape Architect, joining ACLA in 2016 following completion of the Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of Melbourne. She is passionate about utilising design to enhance community’s quality of life, and has a keen interest in design for childhood with particular emphasis on creating a more imaginative, safe and independent built environment for children to play and learn.

    She has been instrumental in the development of concept plans and construction documentation for a number of significant projects and has a natural thirst for learning and exploring the use of new technologies and materials to achieve desirable design outcomes and communicate her ideas with clarity. She enjoys taking yoga and dancing classes in her spare time.

    Significant Project

    • Stud Park All Abilities Playspace Renewal, Rowville
    • Central Gardens Playground Renewal, Hawthorn

    • Kelynack Reserve Master Plan, Mill Park
    • Waverley Christian College, Wantirna South
    • Spring Gully Primary School, Bendigo
    • Mill Park Library Landscape Upgrade, Mill Park

    • St. Albans Streetscape Improvements, St. Albans 

    Qualifications

    • Master of Landscape Architecture, University 2022
    • Bachelor of Arts and Archaeology, Princeton University 2019

    Achievements

    • Deans Honours List, Melbourne School of Design, 2020 & 2021
    • Catherin Bull Scholarship in
      Landscape Architecture, 2020
    • Lucas Award in Visual Arts, Princeton
      University, 2018 – 2019

    Memberships

    • Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

    Pearl Thompson

    Landscape Architect

    Pearl prioritises empathy, flexibility and multifaceted community resilience through design. Previous arboricultural experience has bolstered her fascination with urban ecology and plant suitability in fluctuating urban environments. Within the realm of landscape architecture, she values public art, experimental making and collaborative creativity reached through community engagement and site-specific applications of interdisciplinary ideologies and knowledge. In her spare time, she enjoys observing wildlife and continuing her personal art practice.

     

    Significant Project

    • Packer Park Regional Playspace, Carnegie
    • Murrumbeena Park Training Facility, Murrumbeena

    • Edgars Creek Recreation Reserve Master Plan, Woolert
      Maria Carrafa

      Qualifications

      • Bachelor of Arts, University of Western Australia (Hons) 1995
      • Graduate Diploma of Marketing, Edith Cowan University 1998

       

         

          Maria Carrafa

          Office Manager

          Maria has been at ACLA since its inception. She is responsible for the day to day administration of the business.

          She has worked in banking for over 20 years, and has gained skills in credit analysis, relationship management, operations, business improvement and change management.

          This broad range of business skills have assisted in the continued growth and development of ACLA.  Maria has a passion for learning and outside of work loves spending time with family and friends, and attending her Zumba class.

          10 Prince Patrick Street, Richmond VIC 3121
          Telephone +61 3 9381 4366

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