Stephen is a Director and Co-founder of CUSP having previously established his own firm S.P.L.A.T. in 1993 which he then merged with Cardno in 2007. Stephen is passionate about effecting positive social and environmental change through imaginative and practical design.  With an academic grounding in the disciplines of Botany and Geography, Stephen is equipped with a broad-based understanding of urban landscape patterns, geomorphology and ecology. Combined with 28 years’ experience as a Registered Landscape Architect, he has a diverse range of skills and personal capabilities.

Stephen’s inclusive approach to management and coordination with numerous design teams has led to success on a substantial number of projects. His dedication to innovative and environmentally responsive design is evidenced by a long list of awards for urban design, masterplanning, urban renewal, and environmental outcomes at state, national and international levels. Stephen served as the Master Landscape Architect for South Bank Corporation for 10 years and held the same role at Brisbane Airport Corporation for 11 years. He currently serves on the AILA National Practice Committee and has held positions on the Brisbane City Council Independent Design Advisory Panel, ULDA and on the Healthy Waterways Steering Committee.

Being heavily involved in peer review, preparation of project/design critiques, strategic advice and masterplanning, Stephen is widely respected for his industry knowledge and contributions and has acted as an awards judge for AILA, UDIA and QALI and as a professional mentor and membership examiner for AILA.

Daniel Wright (Dan) is a Director and Co-founder of CUSP.  His philosophical approach to landscape and urban design is to create unique places that enhance the relationship between the community, natural processes and the environment.

Dan is an accomplished Landscape Architect, Urban Designer and Project Manager. With experience at senior and project manager levels in masterplanning, concept design, detailed design and construction supervision across a diverse range of projects Dan is equipped to provide inclusive and informed leadership as a Director of CUSP and collaborating with consultant teams.

Establishing his career as a Landscape Architect for S.P.L.A.T (with Stephen Pate), later merged with Cardno, Dan’s expertise is a result of working with high-performing teams and award-winning projects.  A testament to Dan’s skill and expertise is his successful involvement as Senior Landscape Architect for the River Quay, South Bank project which was awarded 2011 Queensland UDIA Consultants Excellence Award and Retail/Commercial Award, the Karl Langer Award for Urban Design at the 2012 Queensland Architecture Award and the prestigious “Australia Award for Urban Design” 2012.

During 2010 to 2012, Dan advanced his project management experience by working with one of Australia’s largest diversified property groups, Stockland. As a Development Manager, Dan was responsible for the successful delivery of a broadscale residential community in a new market catchment.  Responsibilities included the management of a consultancy team to develop and implement sales, marketing and production strategies specific to the target customer, providing Dan with vital understandings into the needs and priorities of the client including proactive communication, quality documentation, time and budget management.

Philip is a Registered Landscape Architect with over 20 years-experience working on major landscape & urban design projects in Australia, North America and the United Kingdom.

Since joining CUSP in 2015, Philip has been the project manager on the Queens Wharf Brisbane Foreshore Public Realm currently being delivered for the Destination Brisbane Consortium.   The project includes the reimagining and activation of 1.2km of previously neglected river foreshore between Victoria Bridge and the Goodwill Bridge as part of the development of the new lifestyle and entertainment precinct.

Prior to 2015 Philip spent almost 10 years as principal landscape architect / urban designer on some of South East Queensland’s most complex transport infrastructure projects, including the Inner Northern Busway (Queen Street to Roma Street); AirportlinkM7, and Legacy Way; as well as Tender designs for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 1, Moreton Bay Rail Link, and Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.

His involvement in these large scale infrastructure & public realm projects has spanned the full range of the project scope, commencing at visioning and options generation, through concept design and stakeholder engagement, to the preparation of construction documentation and implementation. Complex projects require the Landscape Architect to engage proactively with large multi-disciplinary teams, articulating a simple robust design vision, and then successfully advocating for its implementation through quality, integrated urban design solutions. Philip applies these skills to projects of all types and scales to strive for design outcomes which are thoughtful and site responsive, uncomplicated and functional.

With over 25 years’ experience as a registered landscape architect in Australia and overseas, Andrew has a proven background in all aspects of the profession across a wide range of landscape architectural/urban design project types.

He has been both the project and design manager on large scale contracts for private and government agency clients which included management of the project from concept through to the post contract administration phase. For over ten years Andrew has specialised in master planning, design and design development through his role as the Design Manager/Design Project Team Manager of Tract WA; as an Associate with Urbis and now with CUSP. The focus of these projects has mainly been on civic, residential, urban renewal, education and commercial projects.

Christoph is an experienced Senior Landscape Architect and leads a wide range of projects across phases varying from concept design, development applications, and operational works through to tender and construction administration and construction supervision. Bringing over 16 years of international and local experience, clients benefit from working with Christoph for his detailed knowledge in flora, fauna and WSUD, that allows him to push the envelope and evolve designs which build on the natural environment of a site. Christoph has a passion for bushwalking, scuba diving and the great outdoors and has been involved in a number of community and recreation projects worldwide.

With over 16 years’ experience, John has managed a wide range of projects including urban open spaces, transport infrastructure, residential estates, parks and multi-unit apartment developments. Of particular note are Newport, Stockland lakefront residential community, the Townsville Recreational Boating Park completed in 2015 and the Landscape Masterplan prepared for the Strengthening Grantham Project in 2011. John has experience developing projects through all phases of the design process from concept design to construction supervision and contract administration.

Previous to working in Brisbane John gained experience in Sydney, working on a variety of project types including sites of national significance such as Admiralty House and Victoria Barracks.

John has a particular interest in the study and management of landscapes of cultural significance, which informs his wider design philosophy as it is applied to the initiation and development of design concepts across all project types.

Nilesh is a registered landscape architect with 9 years’ experience in firms across New Zealand and Australia. Nilesh’s passion for landscape architecture comes from effectively creating environments that encompass all aspects of life from the built form to natural systems. Establishing his career within the urban design team in a predominant environmental consultancy in New Zealand, Nilesh developed his skills in large scale developments. In 2011 Nilesh started work in Queensland documenting and delivering a diverse range of projects including hospitals, aged care facilities, streetscape and urban realm regeneration.

Nilesh has developed a range of skill sets including master planning, landscape analysis, concept design, and graphic communication, particularly in the preparation of CAD and 3D modelling software. By managing a variety of projects in both the private and public sector, Nilesh has also developed a thorough understanding of sketch design through to contract documentation and construction.

Through the course of his career John has work on projects across an array of sectors, spanning from residential gardens to city-scale urban design projects. His experience has seen him manage projects from concept development through to construction, delivering works that realise the vision and expectations of the client.

John’s recent experience has been in the masterplanning, civic open space, residential estate, environmental and private residential sectors. Previously, John was a key member of the team working on the winning Echo Queens Wharf Casino bid and CUSP’s international projects including the development of The Pearl Resort in Fiji.

John uses his broad experience to approach everything with creativity and innovation. Through his work, John aims to demonstrate the value of landscape and create a sense of ownership which ensures the long-term success of any project.

Lorena is a registered landscape architect and has worked in Singapore for eight years before she moved to Brisbane in 2016.  Throughout her career, she has been assigned to various projects across Southeast Asia, China and the Middle East which include commercial mixed use, residential estate development and public realms. Her latest involvement has been in infrastructure projects such as the Cross River Rail, education, heritage, hospital and defence projects in NSW and QLD.

Over the years, Lorena has managed and worked on a range of projects from concept design through to graphic presentation and construction documentation, efficiently delivering works that meet client expectations and responsive to design outcomes. She is always driven to create landscape spaces that deliver positive experiences for the end users and respect the natural environment.

Jason is a highly motivated, adaptable, and well-rounded landscape architect with 6 years project experience. He has been involved in a broad range of projects in the public and private realm. These include large parks, broadacre, subdivisions, luxury apartment right through to highly detailed residential gardens.

Jason has developed a wealth of skills and knowledge from concept design right through to delivery and construction. He has a strong passion for landscape architecture and in all aspects of the design process from conceptual design right through to construction documentation. Taking into consideration all site constraints and influences, this allows for well-considered design outcomes.

He aims for excellence when delivering projects and has been reflected in his recent acquiring of National and Interstate landscape architecture awards in 2021.

Stephanie Tartan has been a member of the CUSP team since July 2016, beginning her career as a Landscape Architect with the Parks and Recreation Planning team at Moreton Bay Regional Council. Stephanie was nominated for the 2016 Karl Langer Award for her QUT final honours year research and design project for a healing garden for the Palliative Care Ward at Redcliffe Hospital. Stephanie is interested in how landscape design can holistically improve health and quality of life by creating places that support individuals and communities socially, mentally, physically and spiritually.

For the past two years Stephanie has been working closely alongside Senior Landscape Architect John Murray on Stockland Developments Newport Residential Community.  To date, they have delivered vibrant parks and recreation spaces, revegetated a water management corridor and created walkable streetscapes to support thriving, healthy communities.

Sam began his employment at CUSP as an Undergraduate Landscape Architect and has worked with the guidance of an experienced Senior team. He has been involved in taking a number of commercial and high-end residential projects from the conceptual phase through to contract documentation and construction.

Sam’s vision for his career is to further develop a design process that results in clever, innovative places which engage with, and strengthen local ecosystems.

Kellie joined CUSP in 2015 during her 3^rd year of her Landscape Architecture Degree at QUT; she graduated with 2^nd class Honours and a nomination for the Karl Langer Award. Since joining CUSP, Kellie has contributed to projects ranging from landscape rehabilitation, to private residential, and tropical to sub-tropical landscape design. Kellie aims to gain practise in landscape architecture for tourism and cultural design, as well as hone her skills in designing for user experience. Her passion for landscape architecture comes with her interest in visual art and talent for creating a story in the landscape.

Milkana is an all-rounder Graphic Artist/Designer with 14 years’ experience in the built environment industry including Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Public Art, Planning and Architecture. Her strengths are in producing high-end graphics such as 3D renders, master plans and marketing materials unique to the project and client requirements.

She is proficient in leading graphics software packages and has high level traditional hand drawing skills. The spectrum of her project involvement is vast including award winning Queensland based projects, significant bids and published work such as Ipswich River Heart Parklands, Rosella Park North Shore, Caxton Roma Pedestrian Link Brisbane, AirportlinkM7 and Caloundra South Vision and Masterplan. As an artist Milkana has been involved in public art projects as well as Landscape Architecture Entry features, Art Strategies and Exhibitions.

Alexandra recently joined the CUSP team in November 2019, upon graduating from Bachelor of Design, Landscape Architecture (Honours II a) at QUT with a nomination for the Karl Langer Award.

Prior to this, she has gained experience with multiple firms across Brisbane where she has developed a professional skillset to compliment the academic skillset developed throughout university.Through this work experience, Alex has worked on a variety of projects ranging from emerging communities, landscape rehabilitation and revegetation, and open space for schools.

Andrew recently joined the CUSP team in April 2021, upon graduating from Bachelor of Design, Landscape Architecture (Honours) with a second major in Urban and Regional Planning at QUT. Prior to this, he has gained experience with multiple firms ranging from design to construct across South East Queensland working with a variety of clients including developers and families. Through this experience he has worked on a variety of projects ranging from residential, public parks and places, schools, multilevel-residential and commercial spaces.

Andrew has developed a particular interest in the planning and construction phase, which supports his passion for creating functional and sustainable landscapes at both the micro and macro scale.

Brenton recently joined the CUSP team in 2021. Upon graduating from Bachelor of Design Landscape Architecture at QUT, Brenton developed professional experience working in both commercial and residential landscape architecture firms. This experience has given him a strong understanding of both the design and construction aspects involved in landscape architecture.

Brenton’s strengths are in project management, client communication and presenting. He also has a strong passion for community consultation and involvement in Landscape Architecture, to make sure designs are inclusive and respectful to all communities and cultures involved.

Brett has recently joined CUSP as a landscape technician while studying Landscape Architecture at QUT. While at university, Brett has been admitted to the Deans List and won the partners choice award for impact lab “Decade of Action Challenge”.

Brett has also been contributing to QAILA’s ‘Connection to Country’ committee. Brett is passionate about gaining a greater understanding of the importance of collaborative design with the traditional owners of the land in which we manipulate.

As a father to 2 young girls Brett is determined to provide them and the greater community the opportunity to experience a landscape that is vibrant, sustainable and robust.

Jeremy has recently joined CUSP as a landscape technician after completing his landscape architecture degree at QUT. Whilst at university Jeremy was nominated for the “Excellence in Landscape Architecture” award.

Jeremy has a passion for designing for a more conservative and sustainable future. Furthermore, designing for a wider community and engaging a variety of stakeholders and communities to achieve more inclusive and respectful design outcomes are a predominant attribute to Jeremy’s design approach.

With the need for a greener and more environmentally conscious future, Jeremy is inspired by the opportunity to design landscape spaces which create a more sustainable and ecologically rich environment.

Sonny graduated with a Dual Diploma of Building Design and Interior Design and Decoration in 2019 and has been involved in BIM and concept modelling, CAD, and rendering across public parks, residential and urban projects

Samantha has recently joined CUSP as a landscape technician while studying Landscape Architecture at QUT. With a working background in Media and a love for plants, she was initially drawn to the social and ecological aspects of Landscape Architecture. While at university, she has fostered a passion for strategic urban planning and community-centered design.

In her professional practice, Samantha hopes to contribute to projects that explore this duality of people and place and create resilient urban landscapes which respond to the needs of all people and the environment.

Felix has joined CUSP as a Landscape Technician while studying Landscape Architecture at QUT. He’s previously worked in marketing and graphic design across multiple industries. He has been involved with community radio stations around the world. He developed an interest in Landscape after a few years of travelling and aspires to create spatial experiences that have a positive impact

Felix has a particular passion for community building and the developing the spaces those communities inhabit. He is proficient in a number of design tools and is always adding to his toolbelt. He hopes to continue expanding his knowledge in placemaking while exploring the creative potential and application of new technologies (AI, generative art etc).