Who we are
Svalbe & Co is a landscape design and consultancy practice, founded by landscape architect and permaculture enthusiast Katy Svalbe. Whilst the studio has ties both internationally and nationally, its roots are currently planted in Quindalup, Western Australia.
Driven by the importance of ‘greenery’, in a forever densifying world, Svalbe and Co harnesses the transformative and restorative power of landscape, to create places that nourish, inspire and delight.
An intentionally compact studio size means that every project is conceived of, and/ or directly overseen by Katy herself. She draws on a body of fellow creatives to complement her core-skill base where desirable or when project scale encourages. To ensure a high degree of professional attention and overall project quality, we are carefully selective about the commissions we take on.
Our work takes joy in the honest and artful use of materials, and celebrates the moments where built and organic forms intersect.
To create the ‘living tapestry’ of our projects, we draw on all nature has to offer and find that mixing native, exotic and edible plants makes for a delicious outcome…
With a portfolio spanning residential, hospitality, commercial as well as public domain projects, Svalbe and Co is apt to service landscape commissions of any nature, but is particularly interested in projects that seek to:
Question the way we live
We are firm advocates that there should be more options when it comes to housing. Community Land Trusts, co-housing, co-living & multi-generational living arrangements, are just a few of such options. We believe landscape has a key role to play in the success of these projects. Read more
Bring Communities together
We delight in working with businesses and communities in the creation of public (and semi-public) spaces, that encourage the sharing of stories and skills. When thoughtfully and inclusively designed, streetscapes, community gardens, communal courtyards and rooftops can provide the perfect backdrop to communal life.
Provide a place for us to exhale
Big or small, everybody deserves a green patch to potter in or look out on. In our forever densifying cities, we delight in nurturing and greening every nook and cranny.
Sustain us and give back to the planet we call home
To ensure the ongoing welfare of our planet, our landscapes, both urban and rural, must be planned not only to delight us, but to sustain us too. We welcome the opportunity to work with individuals, communities and businesses that seek to make their investment a place that integrates existing landscape features and assets with complementary ornamental and productive landscape settings.
About Katy
Meet Katy Svalbe, our founder and creative director.
Born on the shores of Sydney harbour to a Latvian geologist and beach-loving, Aussie Cronulla lass, Katy was destined for a life and professional trajectory with significant ties to the landscape.
Beyond Sydney’s shores, life circumstances and a keen sense of curiosity has seen Katy put down roots in Perth, London and Madrid, Spain.
Said curious exploration and life experience, rooted in a respect for nature, underlies Katy’s highly considered, ‘old soul’ approach to landscape.
“I am a firm believer that like a good wine, good design (especially that which relies on living plants and building communities) requires time and should be afforded a process that allows it to evolve and age gracefully. To support this process, I am interested in establishing open, honest, long-lasting relationships with my clients to ensure that their landscape creation continues to thrive and bring joy, well beyond its initial design and construction.
I delight in working with others and revel in working collaboratively.”
Portrait by Nicholas Watt
With more than 20 years of Australian & international landscape and design experience, Katy has worked for large multidisciplinary design firms and landscape practices of boutique as well as significant stature and size. Most recently, she co-founded the multi-award-winning Landscape and Interior Architecture studio Amber Road with her sister, and revered interior designer Yasmine Ghoniem.
In addition to her design work, Katy is a sessional design tutor in Landscape Architecture at the University of NSW & UTS. She is also a Registered Landscape Architect (Australian Institute of Landscape Architects).
