Wes Michaels is a Founding Principal of Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects based in New Orleans. He is a licensed Landscape Architect in 8 states with over 15 years of professional experience and a LEED Accredited Professional. Wes has worked on a diverse range of projects from sustainable campus design to urban waterfronts on a national and international scale. His current work as principal of Spackman Mossop Michaels focuses on the interplay between culture and the environment in parks, streets, and urban open space networks. Wes was awarded the ASLA National Award of Excellence in 2008, 2009, and 2012 and a Fulbright Fellowship in 2009 for research and travel in Estonia and Scandinavia. His work has been exhibited at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, The Graham Foundation for Fine Arts, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture.

Wes has previously taught at Louisiana State University from 2004 to 2016 and co-founded the LSU Urban Landscape Lab in 2006. This lab engages in research projects that explore ecological and cultural relationships in urban landscapes. The work of the lab grew from the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and has focused on distressed and disaster-influenced landscapes. Wes is recognized as a leading authority on digital media and the design process, and his book Digital Representation in Landscape Architecture was published by Wiley Press in 2010. His work has won numerous design awards and been published widely in national and international journals.

Elizabeth Mossop is a Founding Principal of Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects and works in both the Sydney and New Orleans offices. She has more than 25 years of experience and has wide-ranging experience in both landscape design and urban planning.Her practice specializes in the design of the public landscape, parks, urban spaces and infrastructure and has received recognition by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Council of Building Design Professions, the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and the Australia Council. She has recently been involved in many aspects of the post-hurricane reconstruction of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Currently, Elizabeth is the Dean of the Faculty of Design, Architecture, and Building at the University of Technology in Sydney. Her research and teaching focus on landscape and urbanism, through investigation of contemporary landscape design both at the urban scale and at the site scale. Recent publications include Contemporary Landscape Design in Australia (2003), Hong Kong: Defining the Edge (2001) and City Spaces: Art and Design (2001).

Elizabeth has held a number of significant academic positions including Professor of Landscape Architecture and Director of the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture at Louisiana State University, and Associate Professor and Director of Masters in Landscape Architecture Programs in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. She has lectured widely in the United States and Australia. Her writings include numerous articles on landscape, urbanism and infrastructure, and the books ‘Contemporary Australian Landscape Design’ and ‘City Spaces: Art and Design’.

Emily Bullock is a Principal in SMM’s New Orleans Office. With over 10 years of experience, Emily’s work focuses on planting design, especially the use of native plants, and sustainable landscape design. She has worked on a range of projects that involve comprehensive stormwater management practices and the capture and reuse of water on site. Emily skillfully manages a diverse set of projects across all types and scales. She is attentive and flexible to the needs of clients while also maintaining a sensitivity to deadlines.

Emily has experience working with dynamic and diverse communities across New Orleans, as well as in cities such as Detroit, Brownsville, TX, and Springdale, AR among others. She has designed and led community engagement efforts in the Fitzgerald neighborhood in Detroit, a youth-inclusive design process with middle school students at Habans Elementary in New Orleans focused on stormwater management, and a bilingual neighborhood green infrastructure engagement plan in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Shaohuai Xing is an Associate in SMM’s New Orleans office. Shaohuai is driven by the concept that “Design Changes Lives,” and believes that landscape architecture is the most powerful way to influence people’s living environment. As a designer whose focus is urban revitalization and stormwater management, he is drawn to the field as a comprehensive and multidisciplinary science. He is highly skilled in digital representation and brings our concepts to life through his renderings. Shaohuai is a travel buff and has visited cities and projects across the US, but we’re lucky that he has landed in New Orleans.

Joie Chan is an Associate in SMM’s New Orleans office. She pursues landscape architecture as a means to create places for communities that will enhance their quality of life. Rooted in her deep interest in research based design and a passion for neighborhood revitalization, she applies rigor and a keen eye for detail to each of her projects. Prior to joining SMM, Joie worked with The Neighborhood Design Center, a nonprofit design center in Columbus, Ohio. She now calls New Orleans home, drawn to its warm weather and endless idiosyncrasies.

Pilar Zuluaga is a Landscape Designer with SMM. With a background in Architecture and as a Master of Landscape Architecture, her interest and passion for social justice through design have led her to discover the transformative power that this field and profession has in the built environment. Before coming to the United States to study Landscape Architecture, Pilar was researching on modular and progressive architecture as a means to empower and help underserved communities living in informal settlements at the periphery of Bogota, Colombia. Pilar received an honorable mention for the 2021-22 James Harrison Steedman Memorial Fellowship.

Katie Dunn is a Designer in SMM’s New Orleans office. She brings a strong passion for environmental justice to her work, with particular interest in water rights in urban and rural communities. She enjoys finding the balance between speculative imagination and practical application while being motivated to advocate for underrepresented communities in the field of Landscape Architecture. Outside of the studio, Katie is looking forward to getting involved with community groups and exploring the music and food scene of New Orleans.

Tracey is the Studio Manager of SMM’s New Orleans office. Before joining the SMM team, Tracey has owned and operated a food pop-up, worked as a Project Coordinator for an urban farming non-profit in Latin America, and also served as the Director of Employee Experience with a community-focused independent restaurant group. Her wide range of experiences and skills make her a valuable asset to the firm. In alignment with SMM’s culture and values, Tracey’s goal is to actively foster a small business ecosystem that empowers the community by reinforcing environmental stewardship through a lens of equity and accessibility. Currently, she volunteers as a Kitchen Assistant at Samuel J. Green Charter School with Edible School Yards New Orleans.

Michael Spackman is a Founding Principal of Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects based in Sydney, Australia. He is a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer with over 25 years experience. He has successfully completed many projects in Australia and Asia and maintains a strong interest in design solutions for urban landscapes through ecological innovation.

Michael is also interested in the role the public domain plays in the cultural and political life of societies. Under Michael’s guidance Spackman Mossop Michaels has gained prominence with a range of planning and design projects for parks and public spaces including commissions for Moore Park, Martin Place, Western Sydney Regional Park and the Sydney Olympic Shooting Centre. He also has extensive experience in road design with ground-breaking projects such as the Great Western Highway in New South Wales. In recent years Michael has developed a further specialization in alternative transit modes and urban cycling in particular.

Michael was recently awarded a fellowship by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects in recognition of his professional service including as a former State President, and of his national practice leadership with particular focus on regional and environmental strategies as well as award-winning urban design outcomes.

Michael Wright is a Principal, Landscape Architect, and Planner in SMM’s Sydney office. With over 25 years experience in the profession, Michael has developed specialist skills working in the areas of policy and strategic planning, site and urban planning, resource management, visual assessment and cultural landscape management. He has been responsible for the preparation and management of a range of planning and assessment studies which include management plans and strategies, site master planning and environmental assessment.

Michael’s projects have occurred in a diverse range of environments including coastal and inland National Parks in New South Wales, the rural road network of New South Wales, urban parks and waterways in the centre of Sydney, the goldfields of Victoria and the Great Sandy Desert in northern Western Australia. A regular feature of Michael’s work is the development of close working relationships between the client and the study team and this cooperative approach often includes participation by the community in the process of creating imaginative and practical solutions.

Catherine Dung is an Associate Director in SMM’s Sydney office.  She has significant experience in a wide variety of projects across diverse scales, ranging from planning and concept design through to construction.  She specializes in major infrastructure and transport, parks and public places, and urban design with a landscape architectural focus. Her strategic design and built projects have been recognized by numerous state, national and international design awards, and publications.

Catherine pursues a strong interest in developing design solutions for projects with complex and often competing environmental, cultural, and technical considerations. A key factor in the success of her projects is her interdisciplinary approach, working collaboratively with clients, technical specialists, and other designers to achieve the highest design outcomes for each project.  She believes that every project can deliver public domain benefits, no matter the primary project focus, and advocates for the public domain in all her work. In addition to her exceptional design, collaboration, and management skills, Catherine has a high degree of expertise in design communication.

Catherine holds a PhD in Architecture and Design from RMIT University.  Her research focuses on urban design and the public domain.  Catherine previously taught design studios at the University of NSW for over ten years, and has been a PhD examiner at RMIT University.

Todd Cook is an Associate and Landscape Architect in SMM’s Sydney office. He has significant experience on a wide range of projects including major infrastructure projects, park designs, medium density housing, and planning projects. Todd has developed and expanded his skills base with his involvement in all aspects of these projects, from the conceptual stages through to construction documentation.

Todd’s interest lies in the successful delivery of built projects, based on his attention to detail and strong technical and environmental knowledge. At SMM, Todd has been involved in the preparation of documentation drawings for two high profile projects, Cook and Phillip Park and the Martin Place Upgrade. He has also overseen the realisation of many other projects of varying scales. Todd is responsible for team organisation and outputs within the office, client liaison, sub-consultant coordination, and contract administration.

Mathew Dally is an Associate Landscape Architect and Sustainable Transport Specialist in SMM’s Sydney office. He has over 14 years of professional experience and an extensive range of successfully completed projects.

Mathew works with local and state governments in the assessment, design, and delivery of sustainable transport infrastructure. He is highly skilled in feasibility and route assessments, concept and detailed designs, documentation, and construction supervision of cycle facility projects.

With sound analytic, design, and communication skills, Mathew is efficient at managing complex projects and delivering results of a high standard. He regularly manages multidisciplinary teams and provides integrated solutions that combine engineering (traffic, civil and lighting), accessibility and environmental requirements. He has a range of digital graphic capabilities that meet the expectations of today’s clients and brings creative and inspiring input into the SMM studio.

Emily has over 12 years of experience in landscape architecture with experience in both the public and private sectors. Emily has experience in concept development, design development, and construction documentation. She brings to a project her skills in design, graphic representation, and technical knowledge.

Emily has extensive experience working with a range of specialist consultants and clients including private developers, local councils, and government agencies. She has a depth of experience working on a variety of scales in the public domain including public art, medium density residential, playgrounds, parks, streetscapes, masterplanning, road infrastructure, urban design, and strategic projects.

Emily has received multiple awards, with a particular focus on work that promotes increasing greencover in the public domain and built environment to achieve a multitude of benefits from heat island mitigation to population health benefits, and creating liveable cities into the future.

Andrew Coruzzi is a Senior Landscape Architect in SMM’s Sydney office. He has over 10 years experience in a wide range of projects including major infrastructure projects, planning projects, streetscape upgrades, and large and small park designs. He possesses a comprehensive range of skills and employs a collaborative approach to road design.This has enabled him to successfully work on all aspects of projects including strategic design, concept design, masterplanning, detail design, documentation, specification, and construction supervision, as well as the preparation of urban design reports.

During his time at Spackman Mossop Michaels, Andrew has successfully completed numerous infrastructure projects for Roads and Maritime Services, providing conceptual, analytical, and environmental assessment, as well as detailed design and construction documentation.

Bene Hernandez is a Landscape Architect in SMM’s Sydney office. He has 10 years experience as an Landscape Architect, Photographer, and Forestry Engineer in Australia and Europe. With his cross-disciplinary talents, and his strong interest in public space and urban environments, Bene has been involved in numerous high profile landscape architecture and urban design projects and has a thorough understanding of their often-complex delivery processes.

His broad education and experience have given him a strong understanding of how close integration between built form, landscape, and engineering elements creates successful public domain outcomes.

Eladio Hernando is a Spanish Landscape Architect in SMM’s Sydney office. He has more than 20 years experience in a series of urban and natural landscape projects. Eladio has developed particular design expertise that responds to the cultural and physical context of each site with creative concepts that are refined through engagement with clients and relevant stakeholders.

Many projects have involved design solutions that incorporate heritage values into contemporary design concepts. In addition to his design skills, Eladio has a high degree of understanding the multiple relationships between art and the public domain.

Fergus McCarthy is a Landscape Architect in SMM’s Sydney office. He joined SMM in 2015 with professional experience in the UK and Ireland in the fields of landscape design, planning, construction and research of the built environment.

Fergus has a Master of Landscape Architecture degree with his thesis focusing on urban water, principally research on improving urban stormwater through retrofitting water sensitive urban design. Drawing from experience working both domestically and internationally on a range of project types, including urban design, active transport, salutogenic design, and park master plans, Fergus brings an interest in bridging infrastructure, community, health, and well being to his design work.

Understanding the critical role that research and technology play in quality landscape design, allow Fergus to contribute across all phases of the design process, from concept development through to detail documentation and construction.

Li is a senior landscape architect with considerable experience in a range of projects including major infrastructure projects, public domain and open space. His involvement in numerous city shaping projects has given him in-depth understanding of complex delivery process and practical experience on creating spaces that enhance meaningful connections. With a broad skill set and experience in delivering complex projects at all stages, Li is passionate for achieving design excellence and implementing vigorous city spaces by pushing boundaries and bringing innovations to all projects he is involved.

Sibyl Jia is a Graduate Landscape Architect in SMM’s Sydney office. She is a passionate and driven graduate of the University of New South Wales who has excelled across all areas of urban design and planning. As a landscape architect from Suzhou, China, Sibyl gained valuable insight and experience from a variety of multidisciplinary firms in China.

Having fostered an interest for Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S) during her third-year exchange at the University of Virginia, United States, Sibyl continues to expand her abilities and knowledge in geo-design and geo-computation. Furthermore, Sibyl has commenced a Master degree at University of New South Wales in City Analytics to further this passion.

Since joining SMM, Sibyl has worked closely with senior staff on a multitude of projects in both the public and private domain. Sibyl is involved at all stages of project development from visual impact assessments, public domain studies and concept design through to detail design development and documentation.

As Finance & Accounts Manager, Rebecca manages the company’s financial performance, HR, and compliance. She is responsible for all areas of finance, accounts, and administration, providing strategic analyses to determine project and company profitability.

Sam Lockwood is a Landscape Architect in SMM’s Sydney office, having joined in 2019.  His expertise spans across urban and landscape design with a focus on active transport and healthy streets where he works under Mat Dally in SMM’s Active Transport Team.

Following his completion of an arts degree in English literature (and a decade-long stint in the music industry) Sam undertook landscape architecture studies at the University of NSW, where he received the University Medal. Focusing his design exploration on the relationship between social history and the built environment, Sam believes that landscape architecture as an industry has the ability to remediate many issues facing society today – whether they are social/geographical, historical or ecological.

Behnaz has recently completed a Masters of Landscape Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney. During her studies, she has developed a keen interest in ecological restoration and is passionate about finding ways to encourage and improve environmental outcomes and biodiversity in highly urbanised environments. Behnaz strives to foster deeper connections between people and nature by creating inclusive and vibrant places that showcase the hidden and ephemeral qualities of landscapes. 

Prior to her recent studies, Behnaz spent two decades working as an Information Technology professional in Australia, the UK, US and Asia. She has led multi-disciplinary teams and technology transformation programs for medium and large scale organisations and has extensive project and program management experience. This corporate experience offers a range of cross-disciplinary skills for Behnaz to leverage during landscape design and construction activities. 

Hamzah is a recent Landscape Architecture graduate from the University of NSW, where he focused on democratic design processes and the design of socially equitable public spaces. Hamzah believes, in the ability of landscape architecture, to help foster equitable and sustainable communities.

Hamzah also has a strong interest in active transport design, and is currently working under Mathew Dally and Fergus McCarthy in Spackman Mossop Michael’s active transport division.

Hamzah is excited to use his knowledge to help make our cities socially equitable and help foster stronger, sustainable communities.