The status quo in Melbourne’s built environment is siloed and profit- heavy, leaving little room for social or ecological impact. Professionals deserve more than transactional networking; they need a space for radical collaboration.
FOR PROFESSIONALS
Lack of cross-industry connections and opportunities to collaborate.
In an industry where 61% of professionals report ‘siloed communication’ as their primary barrier to innovation, we provide the cross-sector bridge to drive creative breakthroughs.
FOR INDUSTRY
A gap between profit driven projects with people and planet- driven outcomes.
With 88% of real estate financing now tied to net-zero and ESG benchmarks, we offer the strategic forum where developers and designers turn ‘compliance’ into ‘competitive advantage’.
FOR SOCIETY
A need for inclusive, innovative forums tackling real urban and sustainability challenges.
We are designing for a city of 8 million. With Melbourne’s population forecast to grow 65% by 2043, we provide the essential forum for the inclusive, high-density innovation required to protect our public realm while scaling our economy.
Our Solution
A purpose-driven community designed to break down barriers and facilitate cross-disciplinary projects, contributing towards real-world tangible solutions. Together we drive innovation to enable a better future for our cities.
A networking group that is place-led.The Place Network is community for professionals shaping urban places across Australia. We bring together practitioners across architecture, planning, design, development, strategy and placemaking who care about creating places that are better for people, better for the planet, with better profitability.
Our Values
Plan with Purpose
Together, we outline a path forward that’s realistic, strategic, and tailored to your specific needs.
Collaborate Openly
You’re part of the process. We keep communication open and decisions shared—no black boxes or surprises.
Plan with Purpose
Every project is different. We stay flexible and responsive to make sure the process fits your flow—not the other way around.
Plan with Purpose
When we deliver, it’s not just a finished product—it’s a solution you can trust, backed by real care and effort.
Founders
Janine Kariyawasam
Founder Janine is an interior architect and designer with over thirteen years of experience spanning Melbourne, London, and New York. She specialises in crafting hospitality and public realm experiences that prioritise the connection between people and place.
Her background integrates creative vision with strategic foresight, a skill set shes sharpened as Head of Design at Air Design Studio. Currently completing an MBA, Janine bridges the gap between design thinking and business strategy to ensure projects are as commercially viable as they are inclusive.
Driven by the belief that meaningful change requires cross-sector collaboration, Janine co-founded The Place Network. She is dedicated to activating the public realm through design that delivers measurable social impact and lasting cultural value.
FounderRosie Wilkinson
Rosie is a brand designer and brand strategist with nearly two decades of experience working across property, mixed-use precincts and hospitality.
Her background spans leading design agencies and more recently an in-house development role, where she worked with architects, developers, consultants and stakeholders to bring property developments and precincts to life from vision right through to execution, across placemaking, branding and marketing.
Rosie brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, creative direction and real-world development understanding. She founded The Place Network to create space for innovation to deliver projects that are better for people, planet and profit.