about – Landsite

Landsite is a Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Site Planning and Environmental Project Management company, providing consultant services to a range of public and private clients including developers, local government, public utility, community and environmental groups.

Landsite’s award winning Principal, Darren Taitoko, brings over three decades of experience in the design, implementation and project management of landscape architecture, urban design and environmental rehabilitation projects at state and national level.

Darren and the rest of our team thrive on working across a varied range of projects. From high density urban, medium and standard density suburban and low density rural and rural residential projects, commercial estates, water sensitive urban design, preparation and implementation of urban design guidelines, through to the rehabilitation of degraded rural and urban waterways and wetlands.

While our head office is based in the beautiful surrounds of Byron Bay, current Landsite projects cover the eastern states of Australia, including Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

Darren Taitoko RLA

Director

Darren brings over thirty years of award-winning experience in the design, implementation and project management of urban design, landscape architecture and environmental rehabilitation projects at state and national level.

His expertise ranges from high density urban, medium and standard density suburban and low density rural and rural residential projects, water sensitive urban design, preparation and implementation of urban design guidelines (Residential and commercial settings), public art strategies and the rehabilitation of degraded rural and urban waterways and wetlands.

In 2017 Darren was the recipient of a “National Parks and Wildlife Service Award - NSW” in recognition and appreciation of his contribution to the Northern Rivers Regional Advisory Committee and National Parks & Wildlife Service.

Darren is also a Project Director with Creative Road (Public Art Curators and Consultants), drawing upon his experience in the planning and implementation of public art strategies as well as extensive experience in the commissioning of public art as part of large-scale landscape and urban design projects.

Qualifications: Master of Landscape Architecture - University of Melbourne. 1992 Bachelor of Applied Science (Horticulture) - Victorian College of Agriculture & Horticulture (Burnley) 1987 Registered Landscape Architect - AILA. (No. 749)

Blanka Sparovec RLA

Associate

After spending four years in North Queensland and six years in Canberra, Blanka brings to Landsite her wide-ranging experience across Australia, Papua New Guinea and Slovenia. Blanka’s unique multicultural perspective informs her designs to be intrinsically enmeshed within their environmental context.

As an associate, Blanka has extensive experience in stakeholder management, as well as the production of Landscape Design and Documentation, Landscape Construction, Landscape Detailing, Urban Design, Urban Development, Master Planning, Landscape Planning, Landscape Management Plans, Vegetation Assessment and Tree Management Plans.

Blanka has considerable experience in the master planning, design and environmental rehabilitation plans for tourism projects in Townsville, Palm Island and the Whitsunday Region.

Qualifications:

Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (2008)

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (2004)

Advanced Diploma in Industrial Design, School for Design & Photography, Slovenia (1996)

Registered Landscape Architect AILA

Luke Stepto RLA

Senior Landscape Architect

With 14 years’ of professional experience Luke’s broad skillset sees him working on projects ranging from master planned communities, commercial open space design, high end residential design, aged care and native ecology restoration and rehabilitation.

Luke has considerable experience in preparing conceptual design packages, detailed design documentation along with extensive experience in contract administration. He has project experience in QLD, NSW & VIC.

His early passion for endemic flora and natural ecological systems has seen a focus on using good urban design to connect people back to the natural environment and to keep communities connected through creative open space design within our urban environments.

Luke understands the importance of Landscape Architecture’s role in bridging the gap between built from and natural systems, and the importance of this connection for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Qualifications Diploma of Horticulture , Grovely Horticulture Campus, Bachelor of the Built Environment (Landscape Architecture), Queensland University of Technology, Graduate Diploma of Landscape Architecture, Queensland University of Technology

Sujin Shrestha

Landscape Architect

Sujan Shrestha brings over 6 years of local and international experience in landscape architecture, including valuable expertise gained in Nepal. He is a hardworking and innovative professional adept at managing projects from the conceptual phase through to completion.

Sujan was a shortlisted candidate for the 2021 Hassell Travelling Scholarship – Robin Edmond Award for his final year project, “Rooftop Urban Agriculture.”

With a keen interest in design, documentation, and detailing, Sujan efficiently multitasks and enjoys exploring a variety of projects, gaining insight into diverse landscapes.

Qualifications Master of Landscape Architecture – Deakin University 2018-20, Bachelor of Architecture – Pokhara University 2010-16

Ara Buddle

Landscape Architect

Ara is a graduate landscape architect with a Bachelor of Design in Landscape Architecture. Throughout her studies, she honed her skills in design, creation, and research, developing a comprehensive understanding of landscape architecture principles. Ara combines her creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative spirit to craft designs that deliver lasting social, environmental, and cultural benefits.

With a strong passion for sustainability and community-centred design, Ara enjoys researching and learning about diverse people, histories, and cultures. She believes in the importance of integrating community needs and environmental stewardship into her work. Her creative flair allows her to think outside the box, generating innovative ideas that address complex challenges.

Ara is dedicated, efficient, and adept at problem-solving, consistently providing practical solutions. She is eager to contribute her skills and passion to projects that promote sustainable practices and enrich community experiences.

Qualifications Bachelor of Design (Landscape Architecture) – QUT 2020-2023

Mila Medeiros

Architect, Landscape Design

Milagros (Mila) is a highly dedicated professional architect, originally from Montevideo, Uruguay, with experience in residential architecture, landscape and interior design.

Her well-rounded skillset and passion for the natural environment brings a valuable balance to the Landsite team with experince in both commercial and residential projects in Australia and overseas. Her attention to detail is an asset when creating plans, detailed design and construction drawings.

In every stage of her work, Mila constantly strives to bring a creative and thorough approach to her work, resulting in high quality design outcomes, that benefit both the environment and community.

Qualifications Project Management - IHBC Australia 2020, Landscaping Certificate - Lorena Ponce de Leon, Urguguay 2018, Architecture Degree, Universidad ORT, Uruguay 2016.