ABOUT US
Diverse and versatile, ‘The Greenshoot Difference’ is felt through all stages of the consultation process. With a vast range of service offerings, we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, but instead, tailor our engagement to meet each client’s needs.
Over the years we have developed expertise across many domains, including:
COMPLEX STAKEHOLDER ENVIRONMENTS
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
PRECINCT PLANNING
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WORKING WITH TRADITIONAL OWNERS
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
TERTIARY EDUCATION STRATEGY & CAMPUS PLANNING
Our Values
Our work is underpinned by values that help us build affinity with stakeholders and communities, ensuring relationships are left stronger and more trusting at the end of our engagement process.
To achieve this we anchor in core values that help us work in the background to help our clients succeed.
Our People
Our carefully crafted team is driven by a desire to create practical and impactful solutions that create a benchmark for how things could be in a future where all voices matter. Take the time to find out a little more about what makes us tick.
Theo Gouskos Managing Director
A Director on the Board of Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria (IADV), Theo also has extensive experience in working with Traditional Owners to implement community led aspirations on transformational projects, coupled with extensive experience working in remote communities. Theo is Managing Director of Greenshoot Consulting, and in conjunction with Victoria’s only Indigenous registered architect, Jefa Greenaway, has developed a unique fusion of creative, urban and architectural design and Indigenous engagement. This work includes the ability to develop strong cross-cultural project aspirations. The Greenshoot team has strong architectural and creative design qualifications and experience, and brings a comprehensive track record in supporting project teams to foreground Indigenous knowledge and culture into the heart of large scale infrastructure projects.
Jeremy Gaden Principal
Jeremy Gaden has worked in Victoria’s creative sector for the last 25 years, and has a background in venue management, festival coordination, producing, state government and organisational leadership. He has worked for a wide variety of arts organisations, including Melbourne Fringe, National Institute of Circus Arts, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and Melbourne International Arts Festival. Jeremy was Program Manager at Footscray Community Arts Centre, where he oversaw many of the organisation’s large-scale community engagement projects, and the inaugural director of The Substation in Newport, delivering the final stage of a large infrastructure project and establishing its position as a regionally significant contemporary arts centre.
Most recently, Jeremy has held the position of Senior Manager, Partnership Programs at Creative Victoria where he oversaw many of the Victorian state government’s creative industries development programs, including those that support economic and social outcomes. Specifically, he was responsible for Creative Victoria’s regional development, Aboriginal, Social Impact, Education, and Contemporary Music programs. In this position Jeremy was also responsible for many intra-government relationships, such as those with Regional Development Victoria and Visit Victoria.
Grant Divall Associate Principal
As a sessional staff member, he has over 15 years of experience teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate design studios in the Faculties of Architecture at Melbourne University and Monash University. He is an examiner for the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, a Director on the Board of EACH Housing, a registered NFP community housing provider, and a previous member of the Affordable and Social Housing Advisory Committee for the City of Greater Geelong.
Stasinos Mantzis Senior Architect
He has been teaching at RMIT University in Melbourne as a design studio leader for 20 years, running architectural design studio classes in the Bachelors and Masters courses and supervising final year students. More recently, with his students, he has been working with First Nations community leaders developing First Nations community led projects. He has a strong interest in how culture and cultural knowledge can be integrated in all aspects of the built environment.
Kirsten Spiridis Senior Design Strategist
Kirsten joined the Greenshoot team as a design strategist after undertaking her Masters of Architecture at Monash University. Throughout her studies, Kirsten has developed a practice focused on human centred design, remote building in sensitive environments and a process predicated on inclusive and collective design. Kirsten has worked in various architecture offices in Melbourne as well as undertaking design studios at international institutions including the Prato Centre, Italy and Ritsumeikan University, Japan.
With experience in remote building and sustainable design practices, Kirsten has recently undertaken a series of design studios working with the Olkola Aboriginal Corporation in Central Cape York, Queensland. Kirsten has been working as part of the design team for the project that aims to help Olkola achieve it’s strategic vision with an initial build of a Cultural Knowledge Centre and Ranger Base on Country to support the corporation and the Olkola people into the future. Using evidenced based decision making and a collaborative design process, Kirsten is committed to applying her skill base and finding the best solution for clients.
Shivani Narsai Project Coordinator & Consultant
Shivani specializes in urban development, prioritising collaborative design to engage communities in creating inclusive spaces that enhance well-being. With effective project management and stakeholder engagement, she tackles social challenges sustainably.
Shivani’s Master’s thesis focused on empowering women in India’s slums through vernacular and culturally aware design, preserving the textile craft of Mashru. In Aotearoa, she explored Māori design principles, emphasizing the connection to land and community, and integrating these insights into her work. Additionally, Shivani is part of the Migrant Zine Collective, where she amplifies diaspora voices and celebrates cultural diversity through workshops, events, and multimedia zines.
Edward Coyne Consultant & Researcher
Ed holds a Bachelor of Environments, majoring in Architecture, as well as a Master’s in Urban Horticulture from the University of Melbourne. His professional journey includes travel across Australia and hands-on experience working in a remote community in Western Australia. These experiences, combined with his background in landscape design and construction, have shaped his understanding of sustainable development and the importance of community-centred approaches.
Ed has a keen interest in GIS research and mapping, which he sees as valuable tools for promoting sustainable development. He believes that integrating historical and cultural context into modern design is essential for creating resilient and meaningful spaces. Ed joined Greenshoot in 2022 to support design, research & community consultation, and through his work emphasises the importance of understanding local environments and cultures.
Sian Tjia Hennessy Consultant
Sian graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2023 with a Bachelor of Design, double majoring in Graphic Design and Performance Design. Sian’s multidisciplinary design practice focuses on how the experiential design of spaces can be used for storytelling and gaining deeper engagement with community. Sian’s commitment to fostering genuine connection and authentic relationships is the foundation for their practice.
Sian’s skills include design research, concept development, graphic design, communication design, project administration, community engagement, and stakeholder relationship management. Sian’s works have been featured in MSDx Summer 2020 and MSDx Winter 2020. Their capstone university project was selected as a Highly Commended Finalist in the Ballarat International Foto Biennale’s GradFoto Awards 2023. Sian joined Greenshoot in early 2023.
Ishika Thakur Architectural Assistant
Ishika has enhanced her skills in 3D software, concept design, research, communication design and digital design through her academic and professional experiences. Her work is driven by a desire to engage in culturally rich and environmentally responsible design practices.
Liam Quick Architectural Assistant & Consultant
Liam has a deep appreciation for critical regionalist design, which advocates for architecture rooted in local culture, climate, and geography while incorporating modern practices like mapping and schematic design visualisation. He believes this approach is essential for developing architecture that reflects the identity of Australia’s many unique communities and promotes environmental resilience. Liam joined Greenshoot in 2024 to support the design and consultation processes.