Strategic Design

Transforming built environments through expert design strategy. With 20 years of experience crafting visionary, award-winning projects across consultancy, university, and government settings, I provide specialised strategic design expertise that elevates projects from concept to exceptional reality.

Government & Public Sector

I partner with government agencies to strengthen design governance and deliver outstanding public outcomes through:

  • Policy Development — Design policies, standards, procedures, procurement and governance frameworks

  • Master Planning — Development and implementation

  • Project Definition — Compelling briefs that attract world-class design responses

  • Design Review — Panel establishment, management and expert assessment

Project Teams & Organisations

I help teams secure opportunities and deliver exceptional built outcomes through:

  • Bid Strategy — Positioning consortia proposals for competitive advantage

  • Competition Excellence — Strategic guidance for standout competition submissions

  • Place Creation — Developing distinctive place strategies with clear delivery pathways

  • Funding Success — Strategic design thinking for compelling grant submissions

My approach combines rigorous analysis with creative vision, ensuring your project achieves both design excellence and practical implementation.

Ready to elevate your project or policy? Let's discuss how strategic design can transform your built environment ambitions.

For a detailed CV please reach out.

Experience

  • An educational building with a grand entry stair and students sitting or on foot at Monash University Clayton

    Master Planning

    Extending over four campuses, the Monash Masterplan has shaped Monash University as a leader in curated and sustainable development. Having co-written the masterplans while in consulting (MGS Architects), I then spent the next decade on their implementation in the role of Manager Campus Design, Quality and Planning at Monash University. Image: North West Precinct by JCB, Outlines, MGS and Monash University.

  • A futuristic bus awning and educational building at Clayton Transport Interchange

    Policy Development

    Innovative design policies, procedures, standards and project briefs have propelled design excellence at the City of Melbourne and Monash University, as evidenced through awards, publications and partnerships. Image: Clayton Transport Interchange by Wardle and Monash University. Photo by Rhiannon Slatter.

  • A sculptural pedestrian bridge through and above a nature reserve at Monash University Clayton

    Project Definition

    The development of clear briefs in partnership with diverse stakeholders has enabled exemplary built outcomes for teaching, learning and research at Monash University - in landscapes, buildings and public art. I bring interdisciplinary design nous and multi-sector experience to this work. Image: Jock Marshall Reserve Nature Walk by Urban Initiatives and Monash University. Photo by Vantage Drones.

  • A night time visualisation of New Footscray Hospital

    Design review

    I have provided design leadership and interdisciplinary design review for high profile projects, serving as an expert adviser for New Footscray Hospital and National Gallery Victoria Contemporary competitions. Image: New Footscray Hospital by COX and Billard Leece Partnership.

  • Students walking over a footbridge on a vibrant and green university campus at Monash University Clayton

    Bid Strategy

    At Monash University, I oversaw the development of architects shortlists, design consultant procurement and competitions. In consulting (MGS Architects), I led the documentation package for Carlton Housing bid. This has given me a unique insight to what juries and clients are looking for in competitive processes. Image: Monash Forum competition winning design by TCL Studio, Peter Elliot and Paul Thompson.

  • A modern brick building with large glass windows and a curved facade, with four people walking dogs on a sidewalk in front, surrounded by landscaped grass and trees under a partly cloudy sky.

    Competition Excellence

    My experiences leading the development of design competition guidelines and processes, and being an independent juror for The Whitehorse Centre and Point Grey Design competitions, provides strategic insight to the machinations of juries and clients. Image: The Round, Whitehorse Centre by KTA, BKK and Aspect Studios. Photo by Derek Swalwell.

  • Place Strategy

    Place Strategy

    Chapel Vision structure plan was an early project, completed at MGS in 2007. The project revealed key socioeconomic insights that have helped to unlock activity in the area and identified key sites for investment. Image: Prahran Square (formerly Cato St carpark) by Lyons and Aspect Studios. Photo by John Gollings.

  • An irregularly shaped blue sports court with white super graphics designed by artist Agatha Goethe-Snape at Monash University Caulfield campus

    Funding Success

    I have led the development of business cases for diverse clients, most notably securing an ongoing budget for public art at Monash University. This was benchmarked against global precedents and has led to contemporary art being synonymous with the Monash experience. Image: The Scheme was a Blueprint for Future Development Programs by Agatha Goethe-Snape with TCL Studio, informed by Monash University Public Art Masterplan by Charlotte Day and Jocelyn Chiew.

Want to find out more?

Whether you’re after strategic design services, one-on-one career mentoring, or have a writing or speaking opportunity to share, we’d love to help. Drop us a line with some further details and we’ll be in touch shortly.