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LAGAU DESIGN

This website serves as a showcase of my diverse creative endeavours, encompassing architecture, urban design, climate resilience, graphic design, industrial design, web design, and photography. Please note that certain sections of the site are password-protected due to the sensitive nature of the content contained therein. Should you wish to explore my architectural work in detail, I invite you to reach out for access. Thank you for visiting.

Born into a family of artists and engineers, I blend aesthetic sensibility with technical analysis. My passion lies at the intersection of natural ecosystems and human habitat, with a focus on aquatic environments. Ironically, growing up in the world's driest desert sparked my fascination with swamps. At Monash University, I dove into water-sensitive design, culminating in a flood-resilient urban development project for the Venice Biennale Australian Pavilion. Post-graduation, I joined JDA Co., Australia's leading natural disaster resilience architecture firm, where I honed skills in floodplain research and innovative flood mitigation strategies. Now pursuing my architect registration, I've expanded my portfolio at Group GSA, tackling diverse sectors from commercial and cultural to health and defence. My unique background and varied experience position me to create innovative, resilient designs that harmonize with nature and serve human needs.

Experience

  • 2022 - 2023 : Architecture Graduate

  • 2020 - 2021 : Architecture Graduate

  • 2015 - Ongoing : Multi-disciplinary Designer

    • Assisting owner-builder of SIP construction project on refining documentation for construction

    • Conceptual design of astronomy oriented ecotourism precinct
      in Valle del Elqui, Chile

    • State Library of Queensland : Behind the Lines
      Assisted in design, fabrication and installation of sculpture

    • State Library of Queensland: Meet at the Paragon
      Assisted in design, fabrication and installation
      of art deco dining set replica

    • Model/performer for life drawing classes by Bill Platz

    • Promotional video for Angus Cowan Construction

    • Commissioned by Woodford Folk Festival for logo variant

    • Design of website and logo for boutique fashion label Zengara

    • Design of website, logo and business card for artist Catherine Paglia

    • Design of website, logo, EP covers and photography for band Fresco Kyoto

  • 2020 - 2024: Management Committee Secretary

    Brisbane Urban and Regional Network for the Arts; a non-for-profit organization supporting arts and culture in Queensland and Northern New South Whales.

    • 2020 BURN Arts Inc General Committee Member

    • 2021 - 2024 BURN Arts Inc Committee Secretary: Renewal of registration with Australian Taxation Office, legal & financial signatory, meeting minute administration.

  • 2019 - 2024 : Design, Construction, Town Planning, Infrastructure

    Modifyre was an off-grid temporary township held yearly in Yelarbon State Forest. The event brought together around 600 ecologically oriented creatives and through, art, building and theatre. The event production team operated under BURN Arts Inc, a Non-for-Profit organization.

    • Temple Lead 2019 - Design and construction of a monument to grief in the form of a spiralling 7m climbable structure. Modular pieces were constructed out of recycled materials and assembled in-situ. The role included the management of schedules, budget and construction team.

    • Temple Designer 2019 - Due to the inability to gather during the COVID pandemic, we developed our own gaming platform through which to gather digitally.

    • Town Planning Lead 2022 - Design and implementation of site layout incorporating theme camps, roads, infrastructure and emergency exit routes. Liaising with local council, police, QPWS and indigenous leaders. Delegation to 2IC and management of team on site.

    • Temple Flame Team 2022 - Anti-architecture? Strategic ignition of temple structure through crippling of key structural elements, and placement of fuel parcels.

    • Site Manager Shift 2022 - Responsible for site closure during 1 in 200 year flood event, power outage and blocked emergency exit.

    • Temple Mentor 2022 - 2023: Guidance of Temple Lead

    • Infrastructure Lead 2023: Coordination of subcontractors, construction resources, budget & schedule.

    • Town Planning Mentor 2023: Guidance of Town Planning Lead

SKILLS

    • MODELLING

      • Revit: Complex model management, creation of parametric Families. Creation of site models using LiDAR

      • Rhino: Basic modelling. Grasshopper parametric design

      • Blender: Beginner modelling and texture baking

    • DOCUMENTATION

      • Revit: Creation of drawing sets. Basic construction detailing

      • Rhino: 2D linework drawings up to urban scale. Creation of laser cutting, 3D Printing and CNC templates

      • Illustrator: Advanced visual communication skills

      • InDesign: Experienced in document creation, content curation and template management

      • Photoshop: proficient

      • Lightroom: professional photography and photo editing

      • Premier Pro: Basic video editing

    • MAPPING

      • QGIS: Acquisition and management and representation of data

      • Illustrator: Stylizing of QGIS mapping data exports

      • Revit: Generating geolocated site models, property boundaries and key site features

    • RENDERING

      • Lumion & Enscape: Use of visualization as a design tool for conceptual development

    • Drawing

    • Clay sculpting and firing

    • Model making

    • Laser cutting

    • CNC Cutting

    • 3D printing

    • Carpentry: Basic cutting & assembly

    • Spanish: Native

    • English: Fluent

    • French: Basic

 

ACADEMIA

  • Item description2022 : Research Assistant mapping and photographing the Brisbane River

    2024 : Professor of Architecture for "Spatial Materiality" teaching Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design and Landscape Design students about structural principles and construction materials

  • 2016 - 2017 : Architectural Intern

    • Illustration of water management policy for private and public property in Kunshan City Planning Regulations (China)

    • Illustration of closed loop water management strategies for Jiangsu City Innovation Park (China)

    • Illustration of water management strategies for Southbank Parklands Rain Bank Project

  • 2013 - 2015 : Bachelor of Architectural Design
    2016 - 2018 : Master of Architecture
    Letter of Commendation: "Excellence in academic performance throughout Master of Architecture Degree"

    • Kunshan Studio II - Cleaning a water city through a constructed wetland. [Marcus Jung, Maud Cassaignau & Jon Shinkfield]

    • SWAMPED I: Adapt, Defend, Retreat - Reimagining a flood resilient Elwood. [Nigel Bertram & Rutger Pasman]

    • SWAMPED II - Arden McCaulay - Developing an industrial flood zone. [Nigel Bertram & Rutger Pasman]

    • Heron Island - Redesigning the research station in response to the island's ecology. [Andrew Simpson]

    • Loosing Control Studio: When train station meets art gallery. [Mark Nixon & George King]

    • Melbourne Brickworks - A brick from claypit to architecture
      [Laura Harper]

  • Item description2019

    • Modifyre Temple Lead
      (Refer to "Modifyre" section for more information)

    • Future Histories
      "A participatory design research project combining set design, audio-visual installation, and documentary story-telling to take audiences on a journey through the imagined future of the Gabba Ward, a collection of rapidly changing neighbourhoods on Brisbane’s inner south side"

    • 2007 - 2012
      ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE

      - International Baccalaureate Diploma
      High Level Art, Biology, Psychology

      - Highly Commended Award
      Excellence in Art Design
      Queensland Independent Education Union
      Year 11-12 Category

      - Aspects Show Award
      "Mother Nature Shelters"
      Goondiwindi P&A Society: Under 18 Category

    • 2006
      SANTIAGO COLLEGE

    • 2001 - 2005
      THE ANTOFAGASTA BRITISH SCHOOL

Publications

  • Design Studies of 3 Australian Cities
    Edited by Nigel Bertram and Catherine Murphy
    2019

  • July 2018
    "Wave Maker"
    Interview for old scholar magazine

    [link here] pg. 50-51

  • 2018
    Repair. Australian Pavilion, 16th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia 201

    Arden Macaulay Island City
    Monash University Urban Laboratory

    [link here] pg.210