Emma has spent the past five years working with one of the leading heritage architecture teams in South Australia, after being awarded the Swanbury Penglase Architecture Grant (2018) during her Master of Architecture studies at the University of South Australia.

Emma is a registered architect with experience in the conservation and adaptation of heritage places. She has worked across a variety of heritage projects — from conservation management plans and condition reports to small design interventions and large-scale adaptive reuse. Her portfolio includes leading conservation, upgrade, and refurbishment works at Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide. As well as playing a key role in the adaptive re-use of a heritage listed 1912 reinforced concrete warehouse to an Enterprise Hub for the University of South Australia, which recently received the David Saunders Award for Heritage Architecture (AIA Architecture Awards SA 2024).

Her time working with heritage buildings has deeply informed her broader architectural practice, sharpening her skills in research, contextual response, storytelling and sustainable design. Emma believes that heritage work demands a deep understanding of place and a thoughtful, respectful approach to design—principles she carries into every project, heritage-listed or not.

During 2022 – 2023 she was an active member of both the EmAGN SA Committee and the AIA Heritage Committee, having organised a variety of successful heritage events for the emerging architects & graduates demographic. She is currently participating in a mentorship scheme, leadership programme and part of the RAP working group in the Swanbury Penglase office, and always on the lookout for opportunities to contribute to the industry.