Approach       Impact       Team      

Bec is passionate about creating sustainable, creative and affordable cities that support people of all different backgrounds.

Bec’s work is focused on the formation of place-based design strategies, built form policy and arts infrastructure delivery. This brings together her talent for creative and strategic thinking and her skills in spatial analysis, research based design, urban design advice, planning and policy research, visual communication and community engagement.

Why did you choose a career in urban design and planning?

Growing up with a builder and (ex) geography teacher parents, I was always surrounded by conversations about the natural and built environment. I have been fascinated with other people's homes from a young age and originally intended to study architecture. After taking an urban design theory subject at university I was drawn to urban design and planning and its emphasis on public life and community.

What does a creative city look like to you?

Affordability is critical in supporting a creative city, as people need to be able to live at a relatively low-cost and have access to spaces to create in and express themselves. Government funding plays an important role here, but equally we need to support the underlying conditions that enable people to self-organise and have greater freedoms and influence over their own environments.

What is your favourite place in Melbourne?

I have been walking or riding through the Carlton Gardens on my way to work everyday for years and plan to one-day live across the road in the iconic Cairo Flats. I love the unfolding view of the Melbourne Museum as I walk up Canning Street, the Morton Bay Fig Tree on Nicholson Street, the fountain held up by merpeople and the french restaurant on Moor Street that I always think about going to but never do.

Aside from Melbourne, what other cities to you love?

It’s a cliché, but I love New York city: I'm a big fan of the parks, free public pools, galleries, concerts and street parties. I was there in summer and there were people playing under burst fire hydrants, which until then I had thought was only a trope that existed in movies!

What are you excited about working on next?

I'm keen to work on more housing projects that are focused on delivering well-designed, affordable housing. We need planning policies that support different housing typologies and align with the many different ways that people want to live their lives. I am also interested in how new housing models can help us move away from institutionalised care of the elderly - I'm looking forward to working on an aged care project soon.

When you get stuck at work, where do you look for inspiration?

The best thing is to get away from the computer, and cycle out to spend time on site. It helps me discover what is special about every place and I always end up with a favourite building, tree, street or story.

Interviews: Mim McGarry

Hodyl & Co is led by Leanne Hodyl, a recognised leader in urban design and strategic planning, with 20 years experience in consultancy and government. Leanne’s qualifications and experience in urban design, architecture, strategic planning and social theory means that Hodyl & Co is uniquely positioned to provide integrated, creative and considered advice which is informed by an holistic understanding of how cities work.

Why did you start Hodyl & Co?

I wanted to have a stronger voice in my profession and to create a business where talented professionals could explore ideas for our cities. I also wanted to bring research closer to the practice of urban design and planning. Hodyl & Co provides me with the opportunity to build and work together with a team that makes me excited to come to work each day – creative minds, brilliant thinkers, compassionate people, people who challenge but also support each other, positive people who enjoy their work and have a sense of purpose.

What do ‘cities people love’ look like to you?

Cities people love are not necessarily about what they look like, but building an urban environment that connects to and considers the people who live in them. Cities people love have the right conditions for people to flourish, regardless of their background or access to resources. They are harmonious and prosperous, inclusive and open, where people have a meaningful say in the city and their own future.

What Hodyl & Co projects are you most proud of?

From the outset, Hodyl & Co's work has been challenging, topical, and often highly contested. Our projects are those that will shape our cities over generations. The work we undertake aligns with our vision to create cities people love, including projects to protect sunlight to Melbourne’s parks, strategies to deliver affordable housing, policy reform to mitigate the impacts of overdevelopment in the CBD, and re-setting the design strategy for Fishermans Bend, Australia's largest urban renewal area. We are fortunate to have worked with great clients, who have been wonderful collaborators and together we have been able to push for the best outcomes for the city.

What is your favourite place in Melbourne?

My apartment! My kitchen and couch.

Aside from Melbourne, what other cities do you love?

I grew up in Newcastle and am loving spending time there. It is a perfect summer city, especially swimming at the Merewether Ocean Baths. Returning home to a big family means endless cups of tea, games of cards, BBQs and (mostly!) enjoyable chaos. Newcastle is a beautiful city that doesn't take itself too seriously and the warmer days offer a great respite from winters in Melbourne.

When you get stuck at work, where do you look for inspiration?

Swimming laps in the pool (it's wonderfully quiet which is a nice place to think) and travelling to new places. I love spending time reading (sweeping novels to political essays), and listening to podcasts about anything that isn’t cities, design or planning! Watching emotional dramatic movies that make me cry or Bollywood movies that make me dance and laugh – overloading in emotion is excellent for turning off the thinking part of my brain.

Interviews: Mim McGarry

Rachel is a qualified social researcher. Her work is focused on strengthening the relationship between academic research and design and planning practice to support the development of evidence-based policy.. Her areas of expertise are housing and social policy to support the creation of more equitable cities.

What brought you to working in housing policy?

I originally completed a management degree but returned to university to study sociology. When undertaking international exchange at Northeastern University in Boston, I discovered the specific field of urban sociology which fascinated me. I have always been interested in understanding the boundaries constructed between different groups of people and the way such boundaries can result in inequalities in space - discovering the field of urban sociology really helped focus my attention to cities and housing.

What does an inclusive and equitable city look like to you?

To me, an equitable city is one where everybody has a secure home, where there is a greater equality of incomes, and people feel safe in their urban environment. In an equitable city all people respect each other, women have agency to move about comfortably, and perhaps most importantly, the decision-makers who set policy have lived experiences that inform their actions.

What do you love about Melbourne?

I love the diversity of the city, in terms of both people and places. Each suburb has its own unique character, local charm and style of housing. I also love that you can travel out of the city in any direction for an hour or two and arrive at a beautiful beach, mountain or forest.

Aside from Melbourne, what other cities do you love?

I would love to return to Boston to live for a while. It is such an intriguing and complex city with a rich history and culture in a beautiful setting, but when you scratch the surface there is also immense inequality and injustice.

When you get stuck at work, where do you look for inspiration?

If I'm at home I stop what I am doing and play the piano (poorly!) until my mind is entirely focused on the music. Most of the time this helps if I am stuck with an idea or have writer's block. If I'm at work I go for a wander around the city and people watch, which helps me remember what it is I love about the city and why I'm doing the work that I do.

What do you do when you're not at work?

When I’m not working or studying I like to play with my kids, walk my dog along the river, read Scottish or Scandinavian crime fiction, or get outdoors as far away from screens as possible..

Do you have any secret skills?

I happen to be a trained chef and have mean knife sharpening skills!

Interviews: Mim McGarry

Renee has 15 years' of experience in managing office environments and ensures we are a grounded, organised, supportive and forward-thinking practice. Renee is currently transitioning our studio to a zero-waste environment.

Why are you passionate about sustainability and the environment?

I believe in equality. Every organism on earth has the right to thrive equally. If we don't consider the impact of our actions and act respectfully, we are not considering the rights of everyone and everything we share space with. Our little rock in the Milky Way is like Kombucha, without living in a healthy and mutually beneficial environment we can't survive.

What do you think are the most important aspects to think about in creating a positive work environment?

Respect, curiosity and openness. That's all you need.

What are the easy steps that people can take to live a more sustainable life?

Questioning everything. Do I really need this? Where did this come from? What was the social and environmental impact of it's creation? Where will it go when I am no longer using it? What is the impact of it's disposal? If we understand how much impact something has we can make better decisions which in turn are telling manufacturers and suppliers what we accept and don't accept.

What’s your favourite place in Melbourne?

Just one?! That's like choosing your favourite child! Heide because it champions Australian art in a diverse environment. NGV because it houses the most beautiful Rothko painting. Redwoods plantation in Warburton because it's visually and aromatically stimulating while calming you.

Do you have any secret skills or talents?

Folding a fitted sheet. Travelling with only cabin luggage. And anyone who knows me would say vegan treats.

Alice joined the team in 2019 and has been providing invaluable support on our creative spaces, precinct planning and built form policy projects through her outstanding graphic communication skills, bringing our ideas to life through images.

Why did you choose to study architecture ? what do you love about it?

I have a passion for design and wanted to bring this to a profession where I can make a positive impact on my environment. And I like maths! I love that my degree covers a range of disciplines. Not only do I learn about building design but also history, sustainability, graphic design and urban design. I also love model making.

What's your favourite place in Melbourne?

It would have to be Queen Victoria Gardens, especially when the MPavilion is on! I love going to the talks and sitting in the gardens on a sunny afternoon. It's also opposite NGV, which would have to be my second favourite place.

What future projects are you exciting about working on?

I'm looking forward to all the projects that I get the opportunity to work on! I'm really enjoying learning new skills in urban design and gaining a deeper understanding of our city. I particularly enjoy projects that focus on creative industries and building design.

Hodyl + Co work from Alcaston House, a heritage-listed Renaissance Revival building that is one of Melbourne’s first purpose-designed mixed-used buildings.

Alcaston House was developed at a time when the red brick suburban dream was the predominant Australian housing typology. The multi-storey residential building introduced a high-quality, inner-city living option to Melbourne, that was placed closed to public gardens and sensitively designed for expansive views and warm natural light spilling into every apartment. The lower two floors were dedicated to commercial suites in the burgeoning Collins Street medical precinct.

A 1932 review in the Journal of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects highlighted the congestion and transport difficulties associated with the rapid growth of Melbourne’s suburban dwelling population. The article explains ‘the solution lies in more intensive development of residential areas nearer to the heart of the city by building of multi-storied apartment houses.’ In drawing upon American and European examples, the architects advocated for introducing purpose-designed mixed-used buildings in the CBD to provide generously designed apartments within walking distance of people’s places of work, and as a forward-thinking solution to accommodate a growing population.

Today the building is populated with an eclectic mix of businesses – architects, dentists, publishers, education professionals – and residents, in a contemporary realisation of the original vision. Almost 90 years since the building’s completion, Alcaston House continues to offer a progressive model of urban living and working.

David is passionate about shaping cities and places that are sustainable and equitable. David has over 15 years’ experience successfully delivering large scale and complex inner city projects in both the public and private sector. This work draws on his expertise in urban design, strategic planning, policy development, research and stakeholder engagement. He has a comprehensive knowledge of design and planning in Melbourne which is complemented by seven years of international experience working in London and Rotterdam.

Why did you choose a career in urban design and planning?

I studied architecture and worked in several practices in Melbourne and overseas. During my time at Maccreanor Lavington in Rotterdam I was able to work on projects at a much larger scale with a focus on housing and urban design. I’d also been travelling to different cities. Through these experiences I became increasingly interested in how design, planning, policy and communities shape our cities.

What does a creative city look like to you?

One that supports people to be creative and allows anyone who wants to participate to do so. Providing the conditions that allow young and emerging creative practitioners to develop is crucial. A range of factors influence a city’s creativity including affordability of creative spaces and housing, government funding, support for arts education and audience participation.

What is your favourite place in Melbourne?

I live in an apartment tower on the edge of the Hoddle Grid and Flagstaff Gardens is our local park. I’ve always valued spending time here, but with the impacts of COVID-19 the gardens have been such an important place, whether it’s been going for a walk, meeting friends, exercising or getting some sunshine. I’ve also really enjoyed seeing the city from the water paddling around in my kayak.

Aside from Melbourne, what other cities do you love?

I’d start with Geelong where I studied architecture. At the time there was a small, vibrant and very supportive community of students and artists doing projects in public spaces or renting vacant buildings. Living and working overseas for several years allowed me to get to know London, Amsterdam and Rotterdam really well and they’re amazing cities. There’s always something that stays with me from visiting a city, but some favourites would be Berlin, Antwerp, San Sebastian and Los Angeles.

When you get stuck at work, where do you look for inspiration?

I’ll often just head out the door for a walk. I find some movement and a change of scenery helps. It’s always inspiring to find out about other projects, whether through books, articles or talks. There’s a group of writers and thinkers, both within and outside of urban design and planning, that I often return to. I always value conversations with peers and mentors along with a group of my oldest and closest friends who work in the arts.

What do you do when you're not at work?

Spending time with my partner, family and friends. Hiking has been such an important part of my life. Wamoon / Wilsons Promontory is one of my favourite places to hike. I really enjoy seeing exhibitions, watching films, reading and going to gigs. I also like ending the day listening to an album from start to finish.

Do you have any secret skills?

Not sure it’s a skill yet, but I’m learning to play piano. I love multi-day hiking so I’m always up for a chat about favourite trails, gear, etc.

Bridget has worked across the fields of urban design, landscape architecture and architecture, gaining a range of experience in the public and private sectors both locally and internationally.
Bridget is particularly interested in promoting context appropriate urban design and ensuring that our public streets and spaces become inviting places that people can connect and interact with in meaningful ways.

Why did you choose a career in urban design and planning?

After completing a degree in architecture I realised that my true passion extended beyond built form and that I wanted to work towards designing more equitable, socially connected and sustainable places. I’m particularly interested public realm design and the role it can play in establishing and supporting socially rich and diverse communities, enhancing natural landscapes and reflecting the unique history and stories of each place.

What does a creative city look like to you?

A creative city provides opportunities to engage with, explore and question the world in which we live. A creative city empowers it’s people.

What is your favourite place in Melbourne?

My home. It holds everything that is most precious to me.

Aside from Melbourne, what other cities to you love?

Sailing into Venice at dusk on a warm spring evening has to be one of the most magical experiences of my life. The light, the architecture, the history and the art!

When you get stuck at work, where do you look for inspiration?

Inspiration often comes to me when I’m relaxed and have a quiet place to think and create.
Otherwise I find listening to music, sketching or going for a walk is helpful.

What do you do when you're not at work?

I enjoy spending time around the house, sorting, fixing things, gardening and cooking. I also enjoy spending time in my studio space. I generally work on large abstract paintings, sometimes I draw and sometimes I just go there and daydream!

Do you have any secret skills?

I enjoy keeping fit and I have played many different sports over the years. I have a very competitive side to me when I get on a sports field!

Ripley is a qualified urban designer. His work is centred around his passion for Urban Design, focusing on issues of public life, community and environmental sustainability through an approach that synthesises design interventions and policy initiatives through a large scale systems approach.

Why did you choose a career in urban design and planning?

During my studies in architecture, I became increasingly interested in projects at the scale of cities and regions. The capacity for design at this scale to tackle issues of equality and sustainability through an interdisciplinary approach involving economic, political, and environmental perspectives both intrigues and inspires me.

What does a creative city look like to you?

A creative city is a healthy city. To me, it is intimately linked to equity and accessibility – a city where people have the freedom to both make and remake themselves and the environment that surrounds them.

What is your favourite place in Melbourne?

The State Library Forecourt - a great place to sit on a sunny day and experience the full cross-section of Melbourne’s diversity and activity.

Aside from Melbourne, what other cities do you love?

I was captivated by Istanbul and the fascinating history, urban complexity, architecture, buzzing activity and its unique geography.

When you get stuck at work, where do you look for inspiration?

Thoughts tend to come best when doing something physical and getting into a rhythm. Bonus if I can go for a walk or a bike ride and observe the city from all its angles.

What do you do when you're not at work?

It’s a conflict of many interests outside of work! Mostly, I love the chance to get outdoors, whether that be exploring the Victorian coastline in search of a wave or exploring the Melbourne region by bike.

Do you have any secret skills?

Being a jack of many trades (yet seemingly a master of none…)