ellivo (People)

Our studio is full of thinkers and doers.
We’re a diverse family of creative people
ready to bring our culture of enthusiasm
to your project.

Mason Cowle

Co-Founder/Director

Leading out the studio or the peleton

"Architecture does not exist by itself but is rather the outcome of the qualities of the site, a client’s wants and needs and the policies that shape the city."

Likes: flow, connection with outdoors, cats, riding really big hills, rusted steel.

Daniel Volpato

Director

Detail fiend, Small town origins

Dan joined Ellivo in 2002 and is a key lead member of the studio. He aims to achieve a comfortable balance between functionality and aesthetics whilst continuously elevating the client's brief to achieve a result which exceeds their initial expectations.

Dan is a serious Salami snob.

Tanya Zealey

Director Interiors

Design Leader, baker, loves a chat

Everyday to me is about getting the best out of whatever I am doing and putting a smile on other’s faces. In design (my everyday) this means bringing great people together to make the best of whatever we are given while making sure we have fun along the way.

Wine and laughter are the best (Tan) medicine. If you need a favour come with something French or Italian.

Michael Small

Associate Director

Cycling Enthusiast, Curious Creator, Peanut Lover

In the end, I believe that Architecture is about how someone feels when they experience a place, and the positive impact it has on their lives. With a focus on creativity, practicality and attention to detail, I am passionate about delivering timeless architecture that balances a client's vision with the needs of the end users. Working smarter, not harder, I constantly strive to find the most effective ways for any given task.

Mick has ridden a stage of the Tour De France through the Pyrenees (not with the pros!)

Lisa Schiffermuller

Associate Director Interiors

Creative Soul, Lover of Sundays

To me, design is so much more than a pretty, well placed finish. It is about being inspired by your surroundings and taking each client on their own journey. From the initial ideas through to seeing the design come to life, the whole experience is an exciting one. My passion and drive for design extends from interiors into graphics. I love a hands on & artist approach when getting creative.

AKA Lenny (which came about due to a bad Lenny Kravitz rendition). Serious coffee addict.

Matt Martoo

Associate Director

AIA Award Winner, Watch Collector, Dog lover

Matt Martoo is a designer who is motivated by working with seriously creative people. As an associate architect at Ellivo, Matt’s key passion is for provoking more responsive and innovative design solutions to provide more meaningful places for people.

Matt can also play both the piano and saxophone.

Scott Whiteoak

Co-Founder

Studio Overlord

Scott has focused his extensive architecture career on creating an inclusive and vibrant design team that delivers logical and successful architectural outcomes for his clients in the South East Queensland region.

Scott’s ideal home includes: Privacy & silence for contemplation, contact with the ground, and a range of internal / external spaces to suit the climate, seasons, and your mood.

Jen Cowle

Office Manager

QMS Manager, Spelling Fanatic

Jen has been with Ellivo since 1999. She works closely with the Leadership Team and helps to manage the busy office. Jen loves to do all the things that architects hate doing – QA, arranging meetings, and making sure all the admin side of the business is done properly.

Jen loves cycling, so much so it’s a bit of an obsession, riding most mornings a week.

Olivia Chesterton

Mid-Tier Interior Designer

 A creative and a serious music lover

As designers, we have the opportunity to change the built environment around us. Olivia places a huge focus on creating a full experience for the user, through combining her love for interior and graphic design.

If you can't find me, I'm probably at a music concert.

Alana Muir

Associate

 Music, art and nature lover

I believe that successful design achieves more with less through thoughtful consideration and respect for the environment and those which inhabit them.  I love working with clients in delivering both the small and intimate to the grand and highly detailed across commercial, residential and educational sectors.

Being an avid scuba diver, Alana's ultimate trip would be in space

Josephine Pratt

Experienced Architectural Graduate

Chocophine, Francophone

Josephine is passionate about climatically responsive design within our sub-tropical climate. During her masters she undertook a design studio in Brazil to learn about sub-tropical architecture in a city that sits on the same latitude as Brisbane yet has a different cultural overlay.

Josephine can tell the difference between an Alpaca and a Llama

Keely Jover

Studio Assistant

My hair is full of secrets.

Keely helps keep the office running smoothly, most importantly, being the lolly jar replenisher and coffee dealer to all the addicts around the office.

Loves: Walks on the beach, rosé, social Sundays. Hates: being called Kelly.

Chelsea Pilkington

Senior Interior Designer

Traveller, dog lover & coffee enthusiast

Chelsea believes in continually being inspired by the surrounding environment. Her attention to detail is integral to producing unique design outcomes that reflect the client and enhance the users lives.

Always keen for an espresso martini

Erin Fanning

Architect

Rock climber, dog addict, wine drinker, traveller, book reader, design lover

Erin is passionate about climate appropriate, flexible, sustainable design that sits within its context but isn’t afraid to make a statement. She believes strongly in approaching all challenges with an open and creative mind and takes great pleasure in working with a team to bring projects from concept  to reality.

Erin speaks 'animated' Español when drinking red wine.

Courtney Rix

Interior Designer

Book lover, adventurous, wannabe triathlete.

I believe good design is more than just a pretty space. It is a considered balance between beauty, practicality but most importantly the connection to the end user and the surrounding context

Mostly calm, but surprisingly sassy. Always has a cuppa in hand.

Hannah Le Sage

Receptionist

Loves netball, chocolate & getting burnt at the beach.

Hannah works closely with the digital media and leadership team whilst making sure the office is running smoothly. Most importantly, she makes a mean charcuterie board for all in-house events

Cleans house for fun

Kelsey Cowle

Experienced Architectural Graduate

Hiking, red wine, cycling and cat lover

On a more serious note Kelsey enjoys the balance between architecture and interior design – from the larger scale down to bespoke details to bring a personal touch.

Most of the time Kelsey’s design process is just asking herself ‘can I see myself having a glass of wine here?’

Jessica Elliott

Interior Designer

Loves the beach, dogs over cats, owns cattle

Jess has an organised, determined and honest approach to her work that thoughtfully considers the finer details. She believes good design is simplistic, stands the test of time and never goes out of style.

Takes her oat flat whites, watermelon margaritas + hot chips VERY seriously.

Fraser Galloway

Architectural Graduate

Loves sketching and guacamole

I believe architecture has the power to enrich lives and create positive environments which allow individuals and communities to thrive. I often find that tuning in to the subtle, experiential qualities of buildings and spaces is the most intriguing aspect of the work I do.

Fraser has lived in 5 different cities.

Sophie Oliver

Architectural Undergraduate

Farm girl who loves a river walk and fancy cocktails

Sophie is passionate about sustainable and impactful design. She believes in the importance of putting yourself in the shoes of the end user, and enjoys all stages of a project, from concept design all the way down to the finer construction details.

Some people eat to live, I live to eat.

Dane Casablanca

Interior Design Undergraduate

I can’t shut up about Coconut Margaritas.

I believe we are currently witnessing a cultural agency that’s constantly forming new paths, new platforms, new ideas. Though sometimes it’s an endless chase of the newest - the newest materials, products and stories - this is also the beauty of it. For the first time in a long time, we’re chasing new ground, entering new territories without limits, and this rings just as true for the end user, as it does for those we see as designers.

My walkout song for my boxing match was “I will survive” - Gloria Gaynor

Eddie Imray

Architectural Undergraduate

Champagne, modern Furniture & watches

I am a believer that great design is born out of an understanding and respect for the user and environment; looking beyond the obvious solution to create a more considered and successful outcome.

Can be spotted dancing to an ABBA song every now and then…

Elena Zhang

Graduate Interior Designer

Design, nature, and brunch lover

With a great passion for exploring the built environment and how it enhances the sensory and emotional experience of inhabitants, Elena is detail-oriented with a special interest in environmental sustainability. She finds herself continually being inspired by nature and culture in equal measures.

Trying to find a balance between being an introvert and being bold.

Angus Smith

Architectural Graduate

Avid partaker and savvy notetaker

The happy pairing of people and place is a continually rewarding process that takes careful consideration and patience. My method of practice endeavours to ensure that users enjoy the pleasures amongst the pragmatic.

I was once labelled by a personality test to be akin to a Golden Retriever.

Flynn Hodgson

Architectural Graduate

Art, cooking, dinner parties and spontaneity

I value design that is creative, resourceful and timeless.

Resourcefulness lends an artistic quality to my work. The sculptural use of project materials, at their raw and truest form, will heighten the experience of the end user.

An expressive quality of my practice stems from an interest in architecture that is more than just a building.

Idles in cafés and art galleries a little too much.

Luca D'Arienzo

Architectural Graduate

People, places, pasta al forno

No matter the scope there is always opportunity to create great places and spaces. I think what makes a place great isn’t the budget or size but instead the journey from where it began and where it’s at now. It’s all in the story.

I've been called the songbird of my generation.

Steven Hodgson

Architect

Sustainability minded, movie fanatic

Good architecture combines project understanding and client expectations with creativity and sustainable principles to create spaces that are great to look at and better to inhabit.

Thrives in cold weather and will gladly jump out of a plane for fun.

Nadia Kushnir

Interior Design Undergraduate

The beach, sunrise starts, and spicy margs

Nadia is committed to creating sustainable and human-centred environments that prioritize the wellbeing of occupants. With a focus on neuroarchitecture and biophilic design, she seeks to integrate natural elements and forms into innovative and inspiring spaces that promote positive change. She firmly believes that influencing people's mindsets is crucial to achieving lasting change, and therefore strives to create designs that inspire and motivate individuals towards a more sustainable future. Nadia's design practice remains mindful of environmental impact and carbon neutrality, aiming to create new spaces that are both beautiful and responsible.

My idea of fun varies a little between lifting heavy things, reading at sunset, and afternoon drinks with the girls.