About Orterra

Orterra is a Brisbane based Landscape Architecture practice creating spaces where the community and individuals can feel connected to place. Landscape Architecture has the ability to establish an identity for a community. It enables greater access to the natural spaces around them and creates memorable experiences for all who interact with it. We work across a variety of projects from large to small, with our clients and projects including:
  • Local government parks and streetscapes
  • Bikeways and road infrastructure
  • Residential and community master planned developments
  • Commercial and mixed-use developments
  • Schools, kindergarten’s and childcare centres - through our close working relationship with Nature Play Queensland

Contact Us Today

Meet Debbie

Debbie Laporte is the founding Director of Orterra, a Brisbane based Landscape Architecture practice.

As a registered landscape architect with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, and over 15 years’ experience working extensively within Australia and Europe, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project.

Debbie is a passionate advocate for landscape and its ability to connect people to place. Her love of nature and biodiversity, partnered with an inherent understanding of the design of outdoor spaces, ensures each project captures the essence of its community.

Working closely with clients – from engineering firms to local governments, schools, commercial and residential developers – she provides professional advice and design services that enhance the process and outcomes their projects.
Debbie’s experience delivers landscapes that are connected and engaged with their communities to create Places People Love.

Meet Danica

Danica

Danica is currently undertaking her third year of a Bachelor of Design in Landscape Architecture, majoring in Architectural Studies. She has worked on a variety of projects during her studies including community gardens and spaces, private residential, commercial and mixed used spaces.

After growing up in the garden, Danica became an avid gardener in her adult life. She realised her passion for Landscape Architecture after years of working in other industries and travelling the globe. This passion is evident within her designs, planting plans and interest in the entire process through to the landscape construction and completion.

Danica believes in designing for the future through sustainability and aims to design spaces that are inclusive to all and that boosts health and well-being for the users.

Meet Winnie

Winnie is our admin assistant who has been at Orterra for 5 months now! She is the face behind our (IYKYK ) puns in our #texturetuesday posts
She is an interior designer, currently on a hiatus – working on renovating her mother’s house, almost single-handedly, and carries out Orterra’s admin duties on a weekly basis! She is also a self proclaimed, semi-decent plant mum who loves colour and all things plant related.

Winnie is also the biscuit maker in the office and we love having her as part of our team!

Our Values

Equality

We believe all people should be equal. We treat our colleagues, clients and consultants with respect. We celebrate our diverse backgrounds, experiences and use them to our advantage to create places for people.

Inclusion

Inclusion

We design spaces which allow all users to experience the places we design how they need and require..

Empathy

We understand our clients and users of our designs have varied goals, situations, and values. We listen and incorporate these into our design philosophy.

Diversity

Diversity

We respect and encourage the authentic self of our team, our clients and consultants and we celebrate our differences. We aim to understand, support, and include our diversity within our designs.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity

We promote, campaign and defend our environment and improve, rehabilitate and regenerate the biodiversity and the environment of our projects.

Transparency

Transparency

We are clear and open with the decisions we make and are open and honest with our clients to ensure both their and our expectations are met.

Orterra’s Reconciliation Action Plan

Orterra is not just a company that wants to say the right things, we want to be doing something about it. We understand change is not about just having the policies, it is about living, breathing and designing. It is about creating a safe place of understanding. Of accepting that we are limited in our understanding and that with open hearts and minds, we can create a place of growth, respect and change. Reconciliation to us is a safe place to learn, to understand, to talk and a place that allows First Nations People to feel empowered to share their perspectives on reconciliation.

Orterra is taking the first steps on a long journey to reconciliation. We are excited to make our stand and contribute to a better way of working.

Click here to read our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Services

Site Analysis

Site analysis is the study of climatic, historical, geographical, cultural, and legal…

Community Consultation

Orterra enjoys working together with communities. Providing them with a voice through…

Landscape Sketch and Concept Design

Orterra prides itself on development landscape sketch and concept design which meet…

Development Application and Operational Works Drawings

Orterra provides advice to clients for development applications and operational works applications…

Masterplans

Orterra develops landscape masterplans that bring together practice, theory and user needs…

Play and Nature Play Playground Design

Orterra is an advocate for children’s play in all forms. We have…

Open Space Planning

Orterra specialises in working with schools and kindergartens to ensure they are…

Workshops, Training and Speaking

Orterra loves to provide workshops and training to is able to provide…

Meet Groot

Groot is a part-time worker, part-time napper in our office. He is a Labradoodle who was meant to be a medium-sized Labradoodle – boy were we wrong about that! Groot loves pats, the dog park, and nature walks.