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Sydney Studio Leadership Update

Date: Dec 13, 2021
Category: Studio News
Sacha and Kate head shot 2021
Kate Luckraft and Sacha Coles
ASPECT Studios would like to express our admiration and gratitude for our Sydney Studio Director Kate Luckraft, who will be leaving to pursue other roles in landscape leadership after 22 years leading and developing the Sydney studio.

Kate leaves both ASPECT and Sydney with a legacy of formidable projects that have given form to the city’s aspirations as a resilient and liveable city. Some of these career-defining projects include the public domain of Darling Harbour South, The Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden at Centennial Park, the public domain for Sydney Light Rail, and the Kambri precinct at the Australian National University.


Over her two decades at ASPECT, Kate has mentored a generation of landscape architects. Those who have fallen under her stewardship have benefited from her passion and her purpose.


Kate has all our support, and we look forward to collaborating with her again in the future. Her departure is a sad occasion for us, but at the same time we are excited to follow what we are sure will continue to be a distinguished and meaningful career.

The Ian Potter Children's WILDPLAY Garden
ASPECT SYD LIGHT RAIL c FLORIAN GROEHN 11
The Sydney CBD and South East Light Rail

Ahead of her departure, Sydney Studio director Kate Luckraft said:

Working at ASPECT for 22 years has been an extremely rewarding journey, full of challenges and surprises and the pleasure of working with the incredibly talented and supportive Sydney team. Together with an amazing cohort of clients and collaborators, we have been part of delivering projects of which I will be eternally proud. I am enormously grateful for the project and career opportunities I have had while at ASPECT, and I am especially humbled by the way Sacha and the Sydney team have encouraged and supported me throughout our many adventures. These experiences have come about because I have been trusted to develop designs, to manage projects, to mentor careers, and to foster workplace culture. This trust is something I will be forever thankful for. I cannot be thankful enough for the opportunities I have had. My confidence in this decision comes in part from the appointment of Tamara Donnellan as Sydney Studio Director. Tamara will be fantastic for ASPECT, and she will be incredible for Sydney. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with her in the past and I’ve been left in awe of her tenacity when it comes to pushing for great results for the public. She will bring her intellect and passion to bear on every project that comes her way, and I’m leaving ASPECT with the absolute certainty that the studio is in safe hands.

Sacha Coles, director of ASPECT Studios and founder of the Sydney studio, said:

It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside Kate for more than 20 years in developing ASPECT’s Sydney design studio. Together we have put people, place and design excellence at the forefront of our practice. Kate is the most accomplished landscape architect I’ve had the pleasure of working with and we have all had immense benefit from her involvement in our professional and personal lives. Although we will miss her enormously, we offer our immense support for Kate’s next steps.
Kambri, Australian National University
18 ASPECT STUDIOS Darling Quarter FG
Darling Quarter