Damian Holmes is the Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture (WLA), which regularly publishes projects, news, editorial and also organises the annual WLA Awards, student design competitions, and events.
I serve on the Board of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, one of the world’s leading botanic gardens and a centre of excellence for horticulture, science, and community engagement. The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria, which operates under the authority of the Victorian Minister for Environment.
From 2016 to 2025, I served as Chief Technical Officer at ASPECT Studios, a landscape architecture firm with offices in Australia, China, Vietnam, the UAE, and the UK.
I founded World Landscape Architecture (WLA) in 2007 to provide landscape architects a platform to advocate and promote landscape architecture. It became known as WLA in 2010 and started publishing projects and news. The digital magazine launched in 2013 and published 33 issues, with the final edition published in 2019. WLA has grown to over 55,000 monthly readers worldwide, and the WLA Awards, are held annually, attracting over 300 entries across various professional and student categories.
Resume
Current Positions
November 2025 – Present
Member of the Academic Advisory Committee – Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Advisory Role on the Landscape Architecture Programs
October 2023 – Present
Non-Executive Board Member – Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
As a Board member, provide oversight, strategy, and accountability, ensuring the organization fulfills its statutory requirements while remaining a world-class botanical institution.
- The primary legal responsibility is to ensure the Board performs its functions as defined by Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991(Victoria).
- Strategic Governance.
- Fiduciary & Ethical Obligations.
- Stakeholder & Philanthropic Engagement.
- Participation in at least one sub-committee.
November 2007 – Present
Founder & Editor – World Landscape Architecture
As Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture to further the profession of landscape architecture through publishing a diverse range of projects.
- Grew the readership to 50,000 monthly readers.
- Operate the annual WLA Awards – Professional and Students, with over 350 entries from over 35 countries.
- Organised and held an international forum in partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
- Advocate for landscape architecture through submissions to various international and national governments and organisations.
Previous Experience
February 2016 to January 2025
Chief Technical Officer – ASPECT Studios (Melbourne)
As a member of the Executive Team at ASPECT Studios, a purpose-driven company, I played a key role in expanding from 4 to 10 studios and growing our workforce from 100 to over 200 employees.
In my capacity as Chief Technical Officer, I was responsible for the following:
- Reported to the Board on various operational matters.
- Undertook Operations Management, including Contract Reviews & Contract Negotiations, Procurement of Services (Insurance, Legal, Office Leases, Office Fitouts,).
- Independent Technical Reviewer for Infrastructure Projects such as Victorian Level Crossing
Removals, Metro Sydney, Sydney Fish Markets, Brisbane Green Bridges and other international projects in China, Oman and Saudi Arabia. - Technical Director for major Australian and international projects.
- Mentored Studio Directors, Project Managers, and Team Leaders concerning managing client projects.
- Developed a project management training course to develop talent and enable the teams to improve project delivery.
- Developed company policies framework and policies for Artificial Intelligence, Anti-Bribery & Corruption, Modern Slavery, Sustainability.
- Developed and maintained certification for an Integrated Management System – ISO 9001 Quality Assurance System, ISO 14001 Environment Management System, and ISO 45001 (AS4801) Occupational Health & Safety (WHS) Systems.
- Obtained and maintained Carbon Neutral Company status.
- Developed and implemented a Business Continuity Plan.
- Procured and managed legal services to provide advice and risk assessment concerning project and business management.
- Developed standard company agreements for Clients and Subconsultants.
- Managed and provided advice on Confidentiality Agreements, NDA’s, Probity, Conflict of Interest, Guarantees, Conflict of Interest/Probity plans, and similar legal declarations.
July 2018 – November 2018 & July – November 2021
Tutor – Professional Practice – Landscape Architecture – RMIT University (Melbourne)
September 2014 – February 2016
Chief Technical Director – ASPECT Studios (Shanghai)
Mentored and trained the team to improve the quality of the Design Development and Construction Documentation. Also spent time on-site with clients, team leaders and contractors reviewing setout, grading, samples, mockups, structural, troubleshooting construction issues and undertaking final inspection and sign off.
June 2011 – August 2014
Senior Landscape Architect | Project Manager – DLC (Shanghai)
Working with teams to improve technical knowledge, drawing standards and improve construction quality. Over 3 years, I worked on projects for government and private companies, including Shuion Group 瑞安房地产有限公司, Caohejing Hitech Park 漕河泾开发区, Shandi, TJAD 同济大学建筑设计研究院(集团)有限公司, and Disney Imagineering, on projects such as Shanghai Disney Resort, Foshan Tiandi, Donghu Park, and Jiading Rivers. I spent many hours on-site in various cities across China, assisting clients and contractors in realising the design vision of DLC through improved quality and execution.
October 2009 – June 2011
Sole Practitioner and Landscape Architecture Consultant in Shanghai, China
October 2008 – October 2009
Landscape Architecture Consultant – BAU (Shanghai)
Working with the Directors in a consultative role on design and technical details of Landscape Architecture & Urban Design Projects.
June 2006 – September 2008
Associate Landscape Architect – ASPECT Studios (Shanghai)
Assisted with the establishment of the Shanghai studio and China business, along with the CEO and Business Development Manager.
June 2005 – May 2006
Senior Landscape Architect – BAU (Shanghai)
June 2004-December 2004
Landscape Architect – UMA/AECOM (Calgary)
May 2000 – June 2004
Landscape Architect – Urban Initiatives (Melbourne)