About Imagescape Design Studios

About Imagescape Design Studios

3 DECADES of
ARCHITECTURE
+ PLANNING

3 Decades of Architecture + Planning

Design Studios

Healthcare Studio

Expert healthcare architecture, from specialist consulting suites to comprehensive hospital developments, with proven expertise in complex regulatory compliance and medical technology integration.

Aged Care & Retirement Living Studio

Designing person-centred care environments that preserve dignity and feel like home, with expertise in culturally-responsive care models and seamless operational workflows.

Our Design Philosophy

At Imagescape Design Studios, exceptional architecture begins with listening—not just to our clients, but to the broader community whose lives will be touched by our designs. We recognize that every project exists within a complex ecosystem of needs, from healthcare providers seeking operational efficiency to patients requiring comfort and dignity.

Our role extends beyond creating buildings; we craft environments that respond to human behaviour, support wellbeing, and strengthen communities. We believe architecture has the power to heal, inspire learning, and foster connection across generations. We don’t simply meet expectations; we exceed them by uncovering needs that haven’t yet been articulated.

Sustainability is fundamental to our approach. We design for longevity, creating buildings that serve communities for decades while treading lightly on our planet. Every material choice and spatial decision is considered through the lens of environmental stewardship.

Our success is measured not just in completed projects, but in the daily experiences of people who inhabit our spaces—the moment a patient feels calmer walking through a thoughtfully designed entrance, the spark in a child’s eyes in a well-lit learning environment, or the sense of dignity an elderly resident feels in their beautifully crafted home.

This is architecture with purpose: human-centered, environmentally responsible, and community-focused.

Our Design Philosophy

At Imagescape Design Studios, exceptional architecture begins with listening—not just to our clients, but to the broader community whose lives will be touched by our designs. We recognize that every project exists within a complex ecosystem of needs, from healthcare providers seeking operational efficiency to patients requiring comfort and dignity.

Our role extends beyond creating buildings; we craft environments that respond to human behaviour, support wellbeing, and strengthen communities. We believe architecture has the power to heal, inspire learning, and foster connection across generations. We don’t simply meet expectations; we exceed them by uncovering needs that haven’t yet been articulated.

Sustainability is fundamental to our approach. We design for longevity, creating buildings that serve communities for decades while treading lightly on our planet. Every material choice and spatial decision is considered through the lens of environmental stewardship.

Our success is measured not just in completed projects, but in the daily experiences of people who inhabit our spaces—the moment a patient feels calmer walking through a thoughtfully designed entrance, the spark in a child’s eyes in a well-lit learning environment, or the sense of dignity an elderly resident feels in their beautifully crafted home.

This is architecture with purpose: human-centered, environmentally responsible, and community-focused.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

The Power of Collaborative Expertise

Golden circle diagram showing WHY, HOW, WHAT

At Imagescape, our unique strength lies in the seamless collaboration between our architect and planner. This partnership brings together deep design expertise with strategic planning insight, ensuring every project is both beautifully crafted and strategically positioned. Our planning professionals bring regulatory knowledge, site optimization,

and community engagement skills, while our architectural expertise translates these insights into inspiring, functional spaces. Together, we see both the forest and the trees — understanding how your project fits within the broader community context while crafting environments that serve your specific users.

WHY

HOW

WHAT

RESULT

why

Why — Uncover the Real Need

Every project starts with asking why. Why should this facility exist? What community gap does it fill, and what outcomes will it create for users? Why here, and why now? By exploring demographic, regulatory, and strategic drivers, we uncover opportunities others might miss. Our architect-planner approach ensures we address both today’s functional needs and tomorrow’s strategic goals.

how

How — Create Lasting Impact

The how is where vision becomes reality. We design spaces that feel intuitive—clinics that balance staff efficiency with patient comfort, classrooms that adapt to diverse learning, aged care that combines dignity with care, and community hubs that foster connection. Strategically, we guide projects smoothly through approvals, ensuring they succeed operationally, remain adaptable, and strengthen your reputation long term.

What

What — Transform Need into Solution

With the why defined, we shape it into action. We design spaces that deliver outcomes—healing, learning, aged care, and community environments that truly serve people. Alongside this, we map the right frameworks: clear planning pathways, compliance measures that go beyond minimums, community engagement that builds support, and sustainability measures that future-proof investment.

results

Results — Purpose-Built Excellence

The result is more than a building—it’s an environment where your mission comes alive. Every decision supports your goals, enhances user experience, and positions you for long-term success. When architectural vision meets planning insight, the outcome is a space that doesn’t just house your work but amplifies your impact.

The Imagescape Team

Imagescape Design Studios has been fortunate to attract a team of talented team of professionals skilled in their field

Imagescape Design Studios has been fortunate to attract a team of talented team of professionals skilled in their field

Christine Kelly

Principal Architect and
Urban & Regional Planner

NSW Architect Registration No 6000
Master of Urban & Regional Planning Syd University
Bachelor of Architecture Syd University
Bachelor of Science (Arch) Syd University

I believe great projects start with great conversations. After 35 years in architecture plus a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, I’ve learned that honest communication results in clever design every time.

My planning expertise gives us a real edge. I learned early that successful projects depend on clear dialogue with councils and planning officers. When you understand both architecture and planning, complex approvals become manageable pathways instead of mysterious obstacles.

I run our Aged Care and Education Studios – two specialised practices where community engagement isn’t optional, it’s everything. These projects live or die on how well we listen to stakeholders, navigate regulations, and translate complex needs into spaces that actually work.

What drives me? Finding the untapped potential in every brief. I love working with our design team, clients, and consultants to dig deeper than surface requirements and discover what each project really wants to become. The best part? Watching communities thrive in environments that truly support what they do.

Stephen Phillips

Principal Architect

NSW Architecture Registration No 4608
Bachelor of Architecture Hons UNSW
Bachelor of Science (Arch) UNSW

I’m the Healthcare Studio Principal with 45 years of experience who excels at “teasing out” potential problems and solutions before they become major issues. I specialise in developing flexible project frameworks for complex healthcare developments, working closely with clients to navigate conflicting regulations and create strategic solutions for multi-stakeholder projects.

My diverse background spans massive infrastructure projects to intimate retirement communities, including multi-unit residential developments, nursing home upgrades, heritage reuse projects, and converting a department store into a health insurer headquarters.

This eclectic mix has honed my greatest strength: developing comprehensive frameworks for complex projects. I particularly enjoy health-related projects because of their complexity and conflicting regulations. What I find most rewarding is sitting with clients and working on the very early framework of a project, creating strategies flexible enough to accommodate changing needs and multiple stakeholders.

My recent experience includes master planning major health campuses, specialist HIV clinics, and hospital redevelopments.

Nina van der Grinten

Building Designer

Diplom Ingenieurin (FH),
Fachrichtung Architektur

I’m a Senior Designer with 20 years of international experience who combines superior design skills with hands-on project management and site management expertise. My unique strength is bridging the gap between creative vision and construction reality, ensuring complex projects deliver exactly what clients envision.

My journey has taken me across continents – earning my Diplom-Ingenieurin degree in Germany, registering as an architect in the UK and Germany, and working in Germany, Cape Town, and London before settling in Sydney. I’ve contributed to significant residential, cultural, and hospitality projects, including Sydney’s iconic Opera Bar.

This international experience gives me a unique perspective on design solutions. My expertise extends beyond design into project management and site management. Having worked as a site manager, I understand construction realities and how design decisions impact the building process. This hands-on experience makes me more effective at anticipating issues and designing solutions that work seamlessly in the real world.

Leo Chang

Graduate of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture USYD
Masters of Architecture USYD

I’m a graduate of architecture who relishes the challenge of solving the complex puzzle of turning brilliant design ideas into buildable, compliant structures. With over five years of experience in documentation and regulatory compliance, I ensure that ambitious designs actually get built properly and safely, while meeting all requirements.

My specialisation lies in documentation and regulatory compliance – areas that might not seem glamorous but are absolutely crucial to successful project delivery. I’ve developed a keen eye for detail and thorough understanding of building codes and regulations.

What I find most satisfying is solving the complex puzzle of turning design ideas into buildable, compliant structures. Every project presents unique challenges, and I enjoy working through the technical aspects that make ambitious designs possible while ensuring they meet all safety and regulatory requirements.

I believe strong documentation and careful attention to regulatory requirements are the foundation of successful architecture. While others focus on creative aspects, I ensure brilliant designs get built properly and safely.

Jonathan Kelleher

Graduate of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture USYD
Masters of Architecture USYD

I’m a graduate of architecture who ensures that the architect’s vision is clearly communicated to everyone involved in the building process. With four years at Imagescape Design Studios specialising in construction documentation, I take pride in creating instructions that contractors can follow confidently, preventing costly mistakes.

My approach centers on understanding how buildings actually come together. My work spans both design and construction documentation, focusing on the critical phase where creative concepts transform into detailed instructions for builders. This requires both technical precision and creative problem-solving.

Over four years with Imagescape, I’ve worked on diverse projects including healthcare, community, and educational facilities. Each reinforces my belief that excellent documentation is the bridge between brilliant design ideas and successful construction outcomes.

What drives me is ensuring the architect’s vision is clearly communicated to everyone involved. I’m passionate about staying current with innovative building techniques and technologies, believing architects need to understand advances to create better, more efficient, sustainable buildings.

Tarveez Ashraf

Graduate of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture ANRVSA
Masters of Architecture USYD

I’m an architectural designer who excels at helping clients understand and connect with design proposals through powerful visual storytelling. With five years of experience combining traditional hand-sketching with cutting-edge technology, plus entrepreneurial experience running my own practice in India, I bridge the gap between conceptual thinking and practical application.

My philosophy combines old-school design methods with cutting-edge technology. I love to sketch – it’s where my best ideas begin. There’s an immediate connection between mind, hand, and paper that allows for spontaneous creativity and rapid iteration of concepts.

Between 2020 and 2022, I ran my own architectural practice in India, designing additions to several local schools. This entrepreneurial journey taught me invaluable lessons about client relationships, project management, and creating spaces that truly serve communities.

I believe traditional techniques remain valuable today, enhanced with modern visualisation tools to create comprehensive and communicative design presentations that keep the human element central to the design process.