Meet the Team

We love design, people, learning and community.

We are passionate about making positive impact in the world through education and community architecture. We share a deep respect for the natural environment, a love of learning and a collaborative and supportive studio culture.

DANIEL SMITH

Managing Director - Architect

    • Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), University of Sydney

    • Bachelor of Science (Architecture), University of Sydney

    • Registered Architect: NSW 7776, VIC 19862, ACT 2708 & QLD 5631

    • Learning Environments Australasia

      • Australian & NZ Chair Elect (Current)

      • NSW Chair (2018-2019)

      • 2018 Co-convener Australian & NZ Conference

    • Board Director and Chair of the Building & Resources Committee (2014-2019): St Patrick’s College, Campbelltown

    • Conference Presentations:

      • Edubuild, Sydney, June 2019

      • Learning Environments International Conference, Chicago, Nov 2018

      • Edubuild, Sydney, June 2018

      • Learning Environments Conference, Sydney, May 2018

      • School Learning Space Design, Melbourne, Oct 2017

    • Australian Institute of Architects: Current A+ Member

  • I started Leaf Architecture in 2015 with the intention of creating a practice that has a strong focus and understanding of pedagogy and education design. I believe that through intentional, research driven design that we can improve the learning outcomes for the next generation. As architects in this sector, we have a unique opportunity and an obligation to draw upon the wealth of thinking across Australia and Internationally to craft a space that encourages the learning behaviours we need for the future workplace.

    A grounding comment for me is that a Kindergarten child today will not complete school until 2034, whatever we think is relevant for today is already too late. We need to innovate and encourage lifelong learners.

    My most proud work is the progressive upgrades at St Joseph’s Primary School in Kingswood and the Maronite College of the Holy Family in Harris Park. Both projects achieve this goal, through different strategies and means. To me, community is my driving value.

JO SIMMONS

Head of Design, Culture and Strategy - Architect

    • Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), UTS

    • Registered Architect: NSW 8227

    • Learning Environments Australasia

      • Past NSW Chair

      • 2018 Australian & NZ Conference Committee member

    • Indoor Air Quality Research Panel, UNSW

    • Board Advisor: Wellbeing Australia

    • Former Board Director: Central Coast Steiner School

    • Australian Institute of Architects: Current A+ Member

  • My role in the Leadership Team is to curate design within the framework of Leaf’s Design principles, establish a culture of learning, wellbeing, accountability and excellence and to assist with business strategy, marketing and business development.

    I’m passionate about instilling in children a lifelong love of learning through the creation of inspiring learning environments, and I believe that education architecture can help make a positive impact in the world through both education and sustainability.

    I’m equally passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and enhancing the wellbeing of people and the planet through positive, uplifting and responsible architecture and a supportive workplace culture.

    The Leaf value that resonates the most with me is wellbeing. If we take good care of people and the planet, only good things will follow.

MICHAEL CHANCE

Head of Delivery and Operations

    • Bachelor of Arts: Architecture (Honours), University of Greenwich, UK

    • Diploma of Architecture, University of Westminster, UK

    • UK Registered Architect

    • Project Management: Prince 2 Practitioner

  • Michael has had over 30 years of experience in delivering construction projects in both the commercial and Government sectors. Michael’s skills encompass all aspects of project management, design overview and delivering projects on time and budget.

    Michael is passionate about community and the delivery of projects that make a difference. He strongly believes successful projects are the result of positive collaborative relationships between Clients, Consultants and the Construction Team.

    Michael’s strengths lie in his experience gained in a variety of roles: as an architect, project manager and Government client. This has given him a unique insight and all-round understanding requirements needed to deliver successful design-led projects on time and on-budget.

DENISE MATOVIC

Senior Associate

    • Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), University of Queensland

    • Registered Architect: NSW 9197

    • Learning Environments Australasia: Current Member

    • Australian Institute of Architects: Current A+ Member

  • In my role at Leaf, I work with a range of teams to guide the design and delivery of medium to large projects.

    I am passionate about education and Seniors’ Living architecture and have worked within this space for over 20 years.

    I joined Leaf Architecture to embrace their focus on Community Architecture for which my past experience is a testimony to.

MICHELLE HELMS

Associate

    • Bachelor of Architecture, University of NSW

    • Registered Architect: NSW 6260

    • Australian Institute of Architects: Current A+ Member

  • Michelle is a skilled project leader with extensive experience across all phases of project delivery, particularly in educational architecture. With a career focus on NSW Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, she has expertise in master planning, design, documentation, and project execution.

    Michelle has led diverse teams on complex projects, guiding them from initial concepts to completion. Recently, as Executive Officer for Catholic Schools NSW’s CBGA, she helped assess funding applications for school projects.

    Passionate about creating inclusive, functional, and inspiring spaces, Michelle is currently pursuing a Diploma of Access Consulting to enhance her expertise. She also serves as an Architectural Practice Examination (APE) Part 3 Assessor for the NSW Architects Registration Board.

MIHALI MAHAIRAS

Project Leader

LUCIA URIBE PEREZ

Project Leader

CHRIS MARTIN

Project Leader

JESSICA LAVER

Interior Designer

VICTOR GARCIA

Graduate of Architecture

Kaden Ball, Leaf Architecture Team

KADEN BALL

Senior Architectural Documenter

SEAN ZHENG

Senior Architectural Documenter

RYAN WHITEHEAD

Graduate of Architecture

ELENA DIANOVA

Administration & Marketing Assistant

JAMES SAWIRES

Graduate of Architecture

KARLO ABBUGAO

Graduate of Architecture

ABI WILLIAMS

Architectural Documenter

Equity, diversity and inclusion.

Every individual should have the opportunity to be the best that they can be.

We believe that diversity brings strength to the team and adds richness to design. We also believe in equality and inclusivity and strive not only to live these principles but to enhance them through design. 

Diversity of backgrounds, education and culture creates diversity of viewpoints and ideas. We celebrate the diversity of our clients and our team and enhance the unique qualities of people and places through workplace culture and design approach.

Our leadership team is comprised of a diverse range of individuals whose different viewpoints drive better decisions and create

Our recruitment policy actively seeks individuals from different backgrounds and genders. We support diversity through flexible and hybrid workplace arrangements.