Sheila has many years of experience from several architectural practices in Australia and overseas, including hospitality, housing and public projects.
Since joining Hill Thalis in 1998, Sheila has been active in the preparation of master plans + urban design studies and the design and documentation of urban housing and park structures.
A selection of architectural and urban design projects include :
Parramatta Escarpment Boardwalk for Parramatta Council, creating continuous foreshore access for pedestrians and cyclists from the University of Western Sydney at Rydalmere to Parramatta Park.
Lemur Forest Adventure for Taronga Zoo. Design and Documentation for development application and construction for a walk through lemur exhibit, including a waterfall, forest and lemur structures, entry and exit structures and a night house for ring tailed lemurs.
Parramatta Square Framework Plan for Parramatta Council. Preparation of design parameters for a new major public place for Parramatta, framed by spatial ordering along the St Johns Church axis.
Pirrama Pavilion for the City of Sydney Council. Design and Documentation for development application and construction of public room, shade pavilions and public stair at Pyrmont Point.
Pirrama Park Master Plan for City of Sydney Council (with Aspect Studios and Craig A Burton) awarded AILA NSW Planning Excellence Award 2007 and a NSW Chapter AIA Award for Urban Design in 2010. The park is an adaptive reuse of a 2.5Ha post-industrial harbour front site, expanding the existing Pyrmont Point Park to 4Ha.
Narara Eco Village Concept Plan for more than 120 houses prepared for an Eco village that recasts the former Gosford Horticultural Institute to make an open, engaging and diverse place – where people feel comfortable, having a sense of ownership and belonging.
Parramatta Civic Place Conservation Management Plan awarded the 2006 National Trust Heritage Award for Corporate Management Plan
Chatswood Rail Link for Parramatta Rail Link Ltd (now TIDC) awarded AILA’s 2004 Merit Award (with Aspect Studios and Richard Goodwin), for Planning in Landscape Architecture. Built elements include bridges, retaining walls and sound walls.
Liverpool “Smart Growth” project, awarded RAPI’s major Plan Making and President’s Special Award in 2000. Transit oriented residential planning strategy.
Bondi Apartments, the design and documentation of 14 apartments that reconsidered the 4 storey ‘walk-up’ typology.
Experience at previous practices includes;
Department of Housing neighbourhood improvement plans (in Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle) including community and tenant consultation with Rice and Ewald Architects in 1997 and Department of Housing 1995-1996.
Hospitality and housing projects, including World Square Hotel Sydney, Horizons Resort Port Stevens and apartment conversion of Mark Foys Warehouse, with Davenport Campbell and Partners from 1990-1994.
Houses for private clients, corporations and consulates, and resort hotels in Fiji with Adrian Sofield Architect in Suva Fiji 1981-1989.
Sheila has tutored design at the architecture schools of University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales. Sheila has also prepared and presented lectures on site readings and place specific architectural projects. She has also been invited as a visiting critic to the Sydney architecture schools.
Sheila graduated with Honours in Architecture from the University of Technology, Sydney. Her undergraduate thesis focused on adaptive reuse in urban place making.
