Joanna Spiez is a highly experienced landscape architect with an impressive track record spanning over 15 years. Her expertise extends across multiple countries, having worked on landscape architecture projects in Poland, Italy, Ireland, and her current home in Melbourne, Australia and working at Hansen Partnership as an Associate Landscape Architect.
Joanna’s educational background includes studies in both Cracow, Poland, and Turin, Italy, providing her with a diverse and well-rounded perspective on design. She began her professional journey in Ireland, where she honed her skills and gained valuable experience during the country’s vibrant growth phase. For the past 12 years, Melbourne has been her base, solidifying her presence and contributions to the Australian landscape architecture scene.
Joanna has worked in both the private sector and for local councils. This varied experience has equipped her with a good understanding of the project lifecycle and the diverse array of stakeholders involved.
Joanna boasts a diverse portfolio that encompasses a wide range of projects. From large-scale public parks to residential estates, urban renewal initiatives, and commercial developments, she has successfully tackled a variety of design challenges. Her strong grasp of the design process, coupled with her keen eye for detail, ensures the delivery of high-quality, functional, and visually pleasing landscapes.
Why did you become a landscape architect?
I chose to become a landscape architect because I love hand drawing and have a natural inclination toward design in various forms. Since childhood, I found my happy place in sketching and painting, spending countless hours immersed in the world of creativity. As I reached the point of deciding on a degree path, I knew I wanted to pursue a field that would allow me to use my design abilities and express my creativity.
Landscape architecture stood out as the perfect fit. It offered a unique blend of artistry, environmental awareness, and practicality that resonated with me. The prospect of shaping outdoor spaces, creating beautiful environments, and improving the quality of life for people through thoughtful design was something that I found very appealing.
Being a landscape architect allows me to combine my love for drawing with my desire to make a positive impact on the world around me. It gives me the opportunity to merge aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability in projects that contribute to the well-being of communities.
Through my chosen profession, I can translate my childhood passion into a meaningful career where I can explore and refine my design skills, while making an actual difference in shaping the landscapes we live in.
How do you start the design process?
The design process for me begins with thorough background research, where I gather all the information about the site, client preferences, project requirements, and any relevant regulations or constraints. This research phase provides a solid foundation and informs what’s next.
Once I have all this knowledge, I start to explore inspirational images and precedents. This allows me to immerse myself in a multitude of design ideas, styles, and solutions. By absorbing the essence and vibe of various sources, I can start to formulate a vision for the project that aligns with my client’s needs and my own creative aspirations.
With inspiration as my guide, I begin sketching. I prefer working on white butter paper, rather than yellow, which is a cause of endless discussions in the office. Starting to sketch to scale, I gradually develop and refine the design. Each layer of butter paper becomes a new iteration, allowing me to experiment, make adjustments, and explore different possibilities. This process enables me to build upon previous ideas and gradually evolve towards a final concept.
I constantly evaluate and critique my designs, seeking feedback from colleagues, mentors, and clients. I love a good critique! This collaborative approach helps me refine and enhance the design, ensuring that it not only meets the project objectives but also reflects my own creativity.
What is the most rewarding part of being a landscape architect?
The most rewarding aspect of being a landscape architect, for me, is witnessing the realization of my projects and the enjoyment they bring to the users. It may sound simple ad obvious, but there is immense satisfaction in seeing the spaces I’ve designed come to life and being used by people.
The overall experience of returning to the places I’ve designed and witnessing their positive impact is truly fulfilling. Seeing individuals and communities engage with and appreciate the outdoor environments I’ve created reaffirms that I made a good choice in becoming a landscape architect.
There is a unique joy in observing people connect, play, relax, or find inspiration within the spaces we’ve carefully crafted. It reinforces the idea that landscape architecture has the power to enhance the quality of life and foster a sense of belonging and well-being.
Being able to contribute to the built environment in a way that brings joy and benefit to others is what makes this profession so meaningful to me.
