Tania Davidge

Executive Director + Chief Curator

Tania Davidge is a design advocate, architect, writer and Executive Director at Open House Melbourne. She is passionate about communicating the importance of good design to public audiences in ways that encourage people to think more deeply about the issues that shape our cities.

Tania has extensive experience across architecture, urban design and strategic design. She has a PhD from the University of Melbourne focused on the development of creative strategies for engaging public audiences with architecture and the public realm and a Masters in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University in New York.

Katie Evans

Partnerships + Communications Manager

As Open House Melbourne’s Partnerships and Communications Manager, Katie Evans is focused on strategically leveraging opportunities to deliver social impact and community change.

Having worked in both urban and regional settings with hands-on management experience, Katie is strong on business development, stakeholder engagement and cultural programming. Katie enables organisations and creators to grow audiences, enhance reputation and increase revenue. Katie has held roles with a range of organisations from large corporates to start-up not-for-profits. She was a driving force in the conception and establishment of a bold regional arts organisation with a vision to engage, grow and empower regional creatives.

Katie has a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences and a Bachelor of Science from the University of NSW, and a post-graduate degree in Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management, in addition to more than 18 years’ experience in project management, creative industries and community development.

Piera Maclean

Program Manager

As the Program Manager, Piera leads the program curation, development and delivery of Open House Melbourne’s extensive public program. With more than a decade of experience in the art, design and cultural sector, Piera’s collaborative, thoughtful approach to programming and demonstrated ability to manage program logistics ensures meaningful collaborator engagement and exceptional audience experiences.

Through her work with MPavilion, Melbourne Museum, National Youth Drama School (NZ) and Open House Melbourne, she has successfully delivered small and large-scale public cultural events including Melbourne Museum’s Nocturnal: MPavilion’s Skywhales ‘Every Heart Sings’ Balloon Launch, Wominjeka Song Cycle, and three seasons of Open House Melbourne’s Weekend, Regional and Melbourne Design Week programming.

Piera has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Media Studies from the University of Victoria in New Zealand and a Masters of Arts and Cultural Management from the University of Melbourne.

Veda Varcoe

Program + Volunteer Coordinator

As Program + Volunteer Coordinator at Open House Melbourne, Veda Varcoe oversees volunteer recruitment, training, and management, while supporting the successful execution of cultural and community events.

With a deep passion for creative, inclusive programming, Veda brings experience in event coordination, volunteer management, and community engagement. She thrives in fostering collaboration across diverse sector, driving innovation, and creating meaningful experiences for audiences. Veda has played a key role in launching and growing programs, such as Sofar Sounds in Geelong, and has managed arts and cultural initiatives with the City of Kingston.

Veda holds a Bachelor of Applied Business in Entertainment Management from Collarts and has participated in the MAP Velocity Program at the University of Melbourne, where she developed her own event ticketing platform. She brings a strong background in project management, stakeholder relations, and program development, with a keen eye for optimising processes and ensuring every initiative she leads is both impactful and sustainable.

Sam Redston (President)

Director, Flot & Jet

With over 30 years in events and the creative industries, Sam specialises in bringing bold ideas to life in the public realm. As a seasoned producer, Sam excels at transforming unrestrained concepts into practical, safe, and on-budget outcomes. Passionate about collaboration, Sam thrives on building high-performing teams to achieve remarkable results.

A strong advocate for art, design architecture and music, Sam champions their transformative power to enhance sustainability, liveability, and inclusivity in urban spaces. Through projects and not-for-profit initiatives, Sam strives to collaboratively realise creative programs as a force for deeper understanding and a more equitable world.

Amy Muir (Vice President)

Director, MUIR Architecture

Amy Muir is an architect and director of MUIR, a Melbourne based architecture practice established in 2016. The practice engages with a range of projects including residential, public and institutional briefs bringing a sympathetic and strategic attitude to the varying contexts that they work within. The practice is underpinned by a firm belief in project-based research that investigates the language of memory and place.

Holding degrees in Interior Design and Architecture from RMIT University enables Amy to place equal value on the holistic crafting of interior and external form as one. In her previous role as Victorian President of the Australian Institute of Architects and a current lecturer at RMIT University, Amy is committed to establishing strong links between teaching, research, practice and public advocacy. Prior to establishing MUIR, Amy was a director at Carr Design.

Leanne Olden (Secretary)

Senior Associate, Pinsent Masons

Leanne is an experienced energy and infrastructure lawyer at Pinsent Masons focussing on transactional matters and project delivery. She has extensive experience advising domestic and international clients, at both the developer and contractor level, in industries spanning energy, renewable energy, water and major infrastructure projects.

Daniella Sequeira (Treasurer)

Senior Manager at Syracuse

Dani comes to Syracuse with 16 years background in public practice providing accounting and taxation advice to a diverse range of clients both locally and internationally. Dani’s focus and speciality is tax advice to family groups, business advisory services and developing long-standing client relationships. Her role at Syracuse involves working closely with the Directors to ensure clients receive the attention required to meet all obligations and to work closely with staff members and mentor junior accountants in the team.

Favourite building, place or space: My favourite building is 385 Collins Street.

Stuart Harrison

Director, Harrison and White

Stuart Harrison is an architect and good design advocate. He is a director of the award-winning architectural practice Harrison and White, Senior Lecturer in Architectural Design at the University of Melbourne and board member of Open House Melbourne. He has worked extensively in TV, public radio, architectural history and authored three books on housing. He writes for Architecture Australia and HOUSES magazines, and is a former host of the ABC TV show Restoration Australia.

Fleur Watson

Director, Something Together and Associate Professor, School of Architecture & Design at RMIT University

Fleur Watson PhD (Hon. FRAIA) is Associate Professor, School of Architecture & Design at RMIT University and the founding director of collaborative curatorial practice Something Together. She is the author of The New Curator: Exhibiting Architecture & Design (Routledge, 2021) and the series editor of Editions: Australian Architecture Monographs (Thames & Hudson, 2021–ongoing).  Fleur is Chair of RMIT University’s Practice Research Symposium Europe; Board member for Open House Melbourne and was formerly OHM’s Executive Director and Chief Curator (2020–2022). From 2012–2020, Fleur was Curator at RMIT Design Hub Gallery where she co-directed an ambitious exhibition program centred on design research.  She has held senior curatorial roles in Australia and internationally including as executive curator for the Lyon House museum galleries (2018/2019) and invited architecture curator for National Gallery of Victoria’s exhibition Melbourne Now (2013/2014).

Favourite building, place or space: Heide Museum of Modern Art by II McGlashan Everist (1968) and the interior of The Capitol Theatre by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony (1924).

Gemma Pinnell

Principal, Right Lane Consulting

Gemma is a principal at Right Lane Consulting. She is passionate about access to housing and leads the firms affordable housing practice.  Prior to joining Right Lane, Gemma was Director, Strategic Engagement at Industry Super Australia. Gemma has built her successful career as a skilled leader bringing diverse stakeholders together, solving complex problems and leading and driving outcomes. Gemma was also previously a trustee director of AustralianSuper, a director of Industry Fund Services and a member of the senior team at the Australian Council of Trade Unions. She has a Masters of Applied Communications from RMIT and is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors program.

Favourite building, place or space: A favourite local place is the Heide Gallery & its gardens.

Caryn Kakas

Head of Housing Strategy, ANZ

Peter Maddison

Executive Director, Maddison Architects

Peter Maddison is an Australian architect and television presenter. He is best known for presenting the TV series Grand Designs Australia, which has been shown in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Maddison is a practising architect, having started work as a student in 1978 with Peter Crone & Associates. He subsequently worked with Morris & Pirotta Architects, Cocks & Carmichael Architects, and was a Partner with McIntyre Partnership Architects & Urban Planners, before founding his own practice Maddison Architects Pty Ltd in 1988. Maddison is a long-standing member of the Australian Institute of Architects’ Small Practice Forum and Awards Taskforce.

Peter generously dedicates time to raising the profile of the Open House Melbourne organisation.

Andrew Purvis

Andrew has been involved with Open House Melbourne for nine years, starting as a volunteer before becoming a precinct manager and later joining the Volunteer Council. He brings strong organisational and people skills to everything he does at OHM, thriving in the intensity of the July weekend, and working with returning and new volunteers. Outside of OHM, Andrew established the tour guide program at the Victorian Pride Centre several years ago and, for a time, was the sole guide. The program has now grown to a diverse team of nine which Andrew proudly leads. Additionally, Andrew also drives vintage trams at the Ballarat Tramway Museum!

Favourite building, place or space: Hawthorn Tram Depot/Museum

Kim Wilson

Senior Heritage Advisor, Parks Victoria

Kim is a cultural heritage specialist with qualifications in tourism, event management, and design, and holds a PhD in design innovation and the sustainable adaptive reuse of built heritage. She currently works to conserve, activate, and interpret a large and diverse range of heritage places on public land. An active volunteer herself, Kim is an awards judge and serves on a number of committees. Kim brings insights from a range of perspectives, having participated for over a decade in Open House programs in Melbourne and Brisbane as a volunteer, team member, and building owner.

Favourite building, place or space: Blunts Boatyard in Williamstown.

Luise Raeder

Luise is naturally curious. It must be her science background. She has volunteered with OHM for more than 10 years and enjoys exploring buildings, especially those not often open to the public, and learning about their history. In her professional career, Luise has worked with people from many different occupations, from reservoir keepers to prison officers to housing inspectors, to learn more about what they do. She has written codes, guides and training materials for ethical behaviour and fair treatment in the Victorian public sector.

Favourite building, place or space: Buildings with a view to the natural landscape.

Maria Panettieri

Maria is passionate about art, architecture, and design, leading her to work as Jacob’s Global Interior Designer. She has extensive experience in government, corporate, retail, and institutional interior design. Recognised for her creative input and sustainability in projects, Maria has successfully led numerous high-profile workplace and corporate fitout projects. Her main role involves initial client contact to develop ideas into project objectives, ensuring each project meets the highest standards. Intrigued by linking interior stories to environments and incorporating biophilia for wellbeing, she is passionate about design advocacy and the potential of workplaces as living laboratories. Her design role focuses on strategic storytelling, design-based research, and data-driven evidence to measure success. Maria’s achievements include transforming spaces into innovative, sustainable environments that inspire and engage.

Favourite building, place or space: My favourite building is ICI House- 1 Spring Street, Melbourne. It was the first high rise building in Melbourne 1951, built for ICI as an office building, staff cafeteria with a bank at ground level. It is now called Orica House- as ICI changed its name. I live close by and often look at the modernist details and the materiality of the building, as well as the way the building engages the viewer at ground level- sculptures, landscaping, human scale.

Rebecca Anthony

Bec Anthony is a major events and festival professional with experience working in state government, cultural organisations and community arts. With a background in creative programming and event production combined with a passion for logistics, operations, and continuous improvement, Bec is excited to apply her knowledge of large-scale events, strategic communications and team management to provide the best possible experience for Open House Melbourne volunteers and its audiences.

Favourite building, place or space: The Great Hall, NGV

Stephanie Bateman

Steph has been volunteering with Open House Melbourne since 2009 and joined the Volunteer Council in 2019. She is particularly interested in Melbourne’s history and the evolution of the built environment as the city continues to grow. Outside of Open House Melbourne, Steph works in professional communications and lives in Richmond with her husband and two cats. On the weekend you can find her training in Olympic weightlifting, hunting for treasures in op shops and looking for her next great iced latte.

Favourite building, place or space: My favourite building in Melbourne is the ANZ Gothic Bank, closely followed by The Nicholas Building.

Artur Hajda

Artur has called Melbourne home for over 20 years. During this time, he has been actively involved in the visitor and tourism sectors, working with a variety of prominent Melbourne events both professionally and as a dedicated volunteer. Additionally, he has held several roles within government and community organisations, often overseeing diverse teams of temporary employees while consistently fostering a culture of collaboration, resilience, and high performance.

Furthermore, Artur brings a wealth of expertise in HR software development, and creating exceptional user experiences, all of which contribute to ensuring user satisfaction and supporting the achievement of organisational goals. Artur is excited to be a part of the Volunteer Council and looks forward to offering his expertise to help ensure the continued success of Open House Melbourne.

Favourite building, place or space: State Library of Victoria – I like getting lost and discovering the different spaces in there.

Neil Harkness

Steve Stefanopolous OAM (Chair)

Architectural Historian

Steve was awarded an Order of Australia in 2022 for services to the community in a range of roles, including his time as a member of the OHM Volunteer Council and the OHM Building Council. Steve is the Archivist at Newman College, University of Melbourne; Archivist and Historical Collections Manager for the Victorian Bar, and the Heritage Collection and Records Manager at Loreto Toorak girls’ school. Steve was the only Mayor of Stonnington to hold office for 3 consecutive years.

Steve undertakes public tours, walks and talks about history and architecture, especially in the City of Stonnington, and is the author and co-author of several books. Steve is passionate about the built environment and has been, and is currently a member of several committees, including the PMI Victorian History Library, Public Record Office Victoria Advisory Council and The Pride Fund. Steve is on the national board of his professional association and runs workshops and speaks at conferences on archives and record keeping.

Favourite building, place or space: I cannot go past the internationally significant Toorak mansion – Mandeville Hall, which I have been working in for over twenty-five years and manage its continued restoration. I am passionate about excellence in design from the historic to the contemporary.

Adriano Zarosinski (Deputy Chair)

Associate Town Planner, Tract

Adriano is an Associate Town Planner at Tract with expertise in both statutory and strategic planning. His passion lies in exploring the intersection of policy and design, particularly in fostering social cohesion. In completing his Master of Landscape Architecture, Adriano’s research delved into how public open spaces in suburban environments can strengthen community identity, and how policy informs the designs which shape these spaces. His diverse project experience spans medium- to high-density residential, commercial, public realm and infrastructure, and complex rural developments. He serves as an Open House Melbourne Building Council member and is on the Naarm/Victoria committee for Queers in Property.

Favourite building, place or space: Merri Creek Trail

Naomi Barun

Director, Loom Studio

Intrigued by the stories that shape our cities Naomi sees her role as a curator of dynamic systems that support our collective experience. Her practice is based on tactical approaches to strategic challenges which has underpinned her leadership and influence across large projects including city shaping projects, local revitalisation, and small-scale high impact community projects. She is passionate about design advocacy, landscape led urban design and the huge potential of campuses as living laboratories for students and communities alike. A common thread through her practice is a focus on strategic storytelling, design-based research and utilising data to evidence need and measure success.  Collaborating with clients and colleagues she believes that shared stewardship is critical to establishing and delivering on bold visions.

Favourite building, place or space: It is impossible to have just one favourite when many are entwined with memories of a time and place, so I will start with places from my childhood, places that supported creative communities like Montsalvat, Dromkeen, and Heide.

Alice Blackwood

Director, AB Strategic Storytelling

Alice Blackwood is a strategic storyteller and experienced public speaker. For 20 years she’s passionately advocated for the Australian architecture and design industry, her roles spanning that of design editor, journalist, communications strategist, and program director. She served as Editor on Indesign magazine and Indesignlive.com until 2023; and currently serves as Editorial Director for Artedomus. She has been integral in establishing numerous major platforms that recognise and celebrate the region’s most exciting architecture and design, elevating its industry leaders into the global spotlight. She has contributed in a programming and strategic communications capacity on major international design festivals, the INDE.Awards, and The (Emerging) Designer Awards presented by Artedomus and The Local Project. In 2024 she was MC for the ULI Australian Conference and, in 2023, an MC and Host for the INDE.Awards. Alice continues to play an active role within the Australian design and media landscape as a moderator, MC, judge, commentator, mentor and advisor.

Favourite building, place or space: Heide Museum of Modern Art!

Sophie Cleland

Principal, Architectus

Melbourne is on the lands of the Kulin Nation. I love the connectedness of the city and how the Birrarung (the Yarra River) shapes my Melbourne landscape. I have a passion for public space and place, how it is valued and integrated within architecture and the broader built environment. I also believe in diversity and inclusion in architecture and making our built environment more accessible for the community. Melbourne is an exciting city with immense architectural history. Open House Melbourne provides an opportunity to connect and share our buildings and environments inviting the broader community to immerse themselves in our city’s design, innovation, and history.

Favourite building, place or space: That’s like asking which is your favourite child…I have always loved Heide II, also love Fed Square and the amazing Myer Music Bowl!

Heath Gledhill

Group Capability Lead People, Movement & Place, Aurecon

A connector and integrator, Heath draws on his background in Landscape Architecture and design management to challenge, lead and connect people, projects and places. Naturally curious, Heath is known as an out-of-the-box thinker with the ability to see and leverage connections across an ecosystem. Having worked on projects across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Middle East and South Africa, specialising in strategy development, integration, business leadership and growth, Heath is passionate about facilitating human-centredprojects, fostering collaboration for successful outcomes.

Favourite building, place or space: The Victorian Desalination Plant and Ecological Reserve.

Mitchell Gow

Urban Designer & Architect, City of Melbourne

Mitch Gow is an Urban Designer and Architect at the City Design branch of the City of Melbourne. With a commitment to place-based design, he strives to deliver projects that respond to their local context and bring joy to occupants, the public realm and surrounding natural ecosystems. His diverse experience, gained through studies and work in Melbourne and Europe, enriches his approach to design. Mitch has contributed to award-winning projects of various scales and typologies, and particularly enjoys working with existing buildings and structures in adaptive retrofit projects.

Favourite building, place or space: A recent favourite is the New Student Precinct at University of Melbourne. It’s a great example of collaboration between designers fostering innovation. I love how typography has been embraced to establish easy navigation of the site and create social spaces framed by new and historic buildings.

Paul Roser

Senior Manager Statewide Heritage, Parks Victoria

Paul has 25 years’ experience in the management and celebration of Victoria’s cultural heritage. He works to bring the community of Victoria to diverse heritage places and to stimulate thinking about what heritage places mean in today’s world.

Paul has been with Parks Victoria since 2017 leading a team working across a large and highly diverse estate of heritage places and stakeholders. He previously worked at Heritage Victoria for 10 years and at the National Trust for 7 years. Paul is highly experienced in heritage place management, legislation, governance, policy, advocacy, media, volunteers and community.

Favourite building, place or space: Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Elsternwick