New co-CEOs aim to redefine landscape as ASPECT grows globally

ASPECT Studios is entering an exciting new era of growth and development, following the appointment of Adam Kiekebosch and Valter Vieira as co-Chief Executive Officers. 
 

The appointment of two designers and business leaders as co-CEOs, both of whom have made important contributions to ASPECT’s unique culture and hold the trust and respect of our global teams, will ensure that the practice continues to meet its purpose: To enhance the lives of people and natural systems in an enduring way.
 

The task for Kiekebosch and Vieira is to chart a course for ASPECT’s growth, while deciding how a company like ASPECT should operate in the face of disruptions that will impact the future of our cities and redefine the future of landscape design as a discipline. 

"ASPECT Studios is a diverse practice of designers, landscape architects, and urbanists united by a common purpose: to create projects that challenge and delight, while enhancing the lives of people and natural systems in an enduring way. With sustainability at our core, our ‘whole of practice’ approach spans how we run our practice through to the work we deliver on the ground. We acknowledge this is an evolving focus for all practitioners," the new co-CEOS say. 

"As a global practice, we experience diverse client and stakeholder attitudes towards sustainability. Depth in practitioner literacy, tools, measures, and material data are still developing. This is a reality we must acknowledge – however the groundswell of momentum is undeniable. Importantly for ASPECT Studios, our own people are driving this change and holding us as leaders to account." 

This is a moment of transition for ASPECT. More established studios in Australia and China have been joined by new studios in Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City and London. 
 

To the question ‘What is the value of a global landscape practice at this point in time?’,  Kiekebosch and Vieira answer by pointing to the strengths of the profession as a whole: Landscape architects offer an expansive and holistic skillset that can anticipate and respond to the challenges posed by the 21st century. 

"Landscape-focused practitioners are uniquely placed amongst all the built environment professions to not just minimise the impact of our work, but to repair and regenerate as well," say the co-CEOS.

"As a global, landscape-focused practice which prides itself on built work, we have an obligation to leverage our opportunity to drive positive change. This responsibility weighs heavily upon us, and we are committed to leaving a positive legacy upon the communities and ecosystems we serve."
 

ASPECT Studios embodies this diversity of ability, with an unmatched depth of talent and a proven track record of being able to make a positive impact. 

“We think about the whole, rather than the individual part,” says Kiekebosch.
The co-CEOs are eager for ASPECT Studios to lead the cause of landscape architecture worldwide. One of the reasons they believe the practice is well placed to do so is because the various studios around the world work in a collaborative, non-hierarchical way that is unique in international design.
 

“ASPECT Studios does not have a house style,” says Vieira. 
 

“We are structured around our studios responding locally to the issues and narratives that shape their cities and regions. This makes each project unique, and allows our designers a great deal of freedom, backed by our global expertise.”
 

The pair hope to leverage the practice’s past projects in advocating not only for ASPECT but for the profession.
 

A landscape-first perspective, they believe, is how design can best be used to improve people’s lives and repair the natural environment. It is for this reason that ASPECT happily works across scales – whether this be a small courtyard in a Sydney laneway, or at the level of a city-wide master plan in the Middle East.
 

“We’re big and small at the same time,” says Kiekebosch. “We have a breadth of ability and interests that is pretty unique.”

ASPECT is entering uncharted waters – very few independent landscape-focused design practices work at the same scale as ASPECT.
 

Vieira says that he wants a point of difference for ASPECT to be its emphasis on nurturing and supporting talent. 
 

“We want ASPECT to be a platform for a career in landscape design. This should be a place where people can develop and grow successful and meaningful careers. Part of this involves pursuing significant projects that benefit people and the natural world,” he says. 
 

But, according to Kiekebosch, there is no desire to see ASPECT pursuing growth for its own sake.
 

“We aren’t aiming to be the biggest anything. Rather, for us it is all about making an impact, and having access to meaningful projects, the best talent, and working with like-minded clients. Our growth is and should always be about our people and creating value for our clients.”

The decision to move to a co-CEO model, with Kiekebosch based in the Southern Hemisphere and Vieira in the north, was done in part to signal that ASPECT’s growing presence outside of Australia is a focus for the business. 
But both co-CEOs are eager to emphasise that this is not about cleaving the Australian studios from their overseas counterparts, for instance. 
 

“This is a unifying move,” says Kiekebosch. “It is about integrating our processes and speaking to our commitment to the parts of the world in which we work. It’s about acknowledging that we have done fantastic things, and we want to be ambitious about extending ourselves in the future.”
 

Chris Razzell, Chair of ASPECT Studios, welcomes the nomination of the practice’s co-CEOS. 
 

“Adam and Valter will ensure the current and future needs of the business are met as it continues to grow as a global practice. As designers, they bring innovative solutions and unique insights to the creation of business strategy,” he says.
 

“This dual role marks the evolution of the CEO position. With co-CEOs, we have considered the future success of the practice, which has become larger and more diverse.”
 

Image: Adam Kiekebosch and Valter Vieira / Supplied