TEKWOMEN Young Female Leaders Profile Series

Rachel Hurley: Designing Places that Help People Belong

Rachel Hurley's story begins in architecture studios and design firms, but it never stayed confined to one discipline. After completing her Masters in Architecture, she worked briefly in the field before pivoting towards landscape design, a move that brought her closer to the soil and the living systems she had always been drawn to. To deepen her knowledge she studied horticulture, learning the science of plants and the care of landscapes. Alongside this she built experience in event management, community engagement and business development. What might appear from the outside as a varied journey, when Rachel tells it, a carefully woven journey that has combined diverse skills into one philosophy of connection. Today those threads converge in her practice, Studio Saison. At its heart, her work is about belonging; creating spaces where people feel at home, where built and natural forms flow together, and where sustainability is not an afterthought but a way of life. This year she also became a mother and as she speaks about her design philosophy it is clear that her vision for the future is also a vision for gardens where children can play, learn and thrive close to nature. Rachel has also taken on a new role as an ambassador and co-creator with the F2F TEKWOMEN Agri-Rise program, lending her voice to a network of women shaping the future of agri-food and design in Queensland. It was from our homes in Queensland, Rachel on the Sunshine Coast and myself in the Bay Islands, that we sat down screen to screen, each with a cup of tea at our side. The morning light fell differently into our rooms, but our conversation quickly bridged the distance. What follows is our conversation.

Anna: Rachel, can you start by telling me a little about your career journey?

Rachel: My career has been really nonlinear. I studied a Masters in Architecture and worked in that field for a couple of years before moving into landscape design, which I absolutely love. I later studied horticulture so I could understand soils and plant biology. Along the way I worked across events, business development and community engagement.

Over time I realised there was a common thread: I was always creating spaces and experiences where people could connect more sustainably. Sustainability has become a passion and a constant source of inspiration.

Anna: And Studio Saison, what sits at the heart of your practice?

Rachel: At Studio Saison I focus on designing nature connected spaces that blur the boundaries between interiors and exteriors, between natural and built forms. My philosophy is that design should foster belonging and care for the land, which in turn builds sustainable and resilient communities.

Anna: What does this look like in practice?

Rachel: Much of my work is guided by biophilic design, which recognises the human need to feel connected to nature. I use natural materials like stone and timber, bring plants indoors, and create continuous finishes so the edge between inside and out disappears.

I worked on a project in New Farm where small courtyards extended from the house, lush with greenery, so the whole place felt tranquil rather than dominated by hard surfaces. Clients now ask for edible gardens, pollinator habitats, rainwater storage; things that go far beyond aesthetics. There is a real shift towards stewardship.

Anna: Starting your own studio must have taken courage. What was that like?

Rachel: Honestly, it was daunting. Architecture and construction are still male-dominated fields, and as a young woman I sometimes questioned myself. But I had to learn to lead with my vision rather than follow what was considered the norm. The challenges I faced became opportunities to take risks, grow and ultimately build a rewarding career.

Anna: What unique perspectives do you think women bring to leadership in this space?

Rachel: For me it has been about bringing creativity into environments like construction where it is not always expected. I also bring a client-centred approach, really empathising, understanding how spaces will be used and designing from that perspective.

That people-forward focus has been powerful. As women we often connect deeply with our clients and bring a different creative lens, which adds a lot of value.

Anna: Your vision seems to stretch beyond gardens and homes. Can you share more?

Rachel: Yes. We have so many people in cities who feel isolated and want to connect. I see an opportunity to build an online community where people can learn about regenerative farming, support local growers and connect with farmers through events and education.

That kind of platform could help transform farming practices to be more regenerative and sustainable. It is about building communities that are deeply connected, not just consumers but participants.

Anna: You’ve touched on challenges, can you tell me more about those experiences?

Rachel: Early on I worked in a global architecture firm where the culture felt very much like a boys’ club. It was difficult, especially being fresh out of university. Leaving that world was one of the best decisions I made.Later I became lead landscape designer in a small business, which gave me freedom and trust. It was a huge opportunity to reskill and experiment, very different from the rigidity of health architecture projects. I have also had to learn to say no. At first, I felt pressure to take on projects even if they did not align with my values. Now I work only with clients whose goals resonate with my own.

Anna: What advice would you give to young people entering your field?

Rachel: Trust yourself. Do not feel limited by a box you think you must fit into. A nonlinear career can be really rewarding. Follow your passions, weave them into your skill set, and you will find meaningful work. Also, back yourself. Your skills are adaptable and transferable. The ability to adapt is one of the most valuable things you can bring.

Anna: And what projects are you working on at the moment?

Rachel: I am designing residential landscapes that act like small ecosystems. I also run community events at Northey Street City Farm in Brisbane, including farm-to-plate dinners, permaculture workshops and First Nations food sovereignty programs. At home, I am beginning to dream up a sensory garden for my son, Charlie. I want him to learn through touch, scent and play. Being in the garden is such an education for children.

Anna: What drew you to the F2F TEKWOMEN Agri-Rise program?

Rachel: Designing landscapes is important, but I feel a bigger purpose, to help people connect more deeply with agriculture and regenerative farming. Agri-Rise is a chance to co-create, to build networks, and to learn alongside other ambitious women. Strengthening those networks feels essential. We all have a role to play in building sustainable food futures.

Anna: And finally, what excites you most when you look to the future?

Rachel: What excites me most is being part of collaborative conversations like this one, where design, farming and technology intersect to create solutions that are not only sustainable but regenerative and deeply connected to community.

---

Closing reflections

As our conversation wound down, I was struck by Rachel’s ability to move easily between scales, from the intimacy of a courtyard garden to the breadth of online communities, from the detail of planting palettes to the vision of regenerative farming.

Her work is not decoration. It is care. It is a way of shaping belonging, to land, to each other, to the future we want to build.

Connect with Studio Saison via insta and web.