OCULUS

What OCULUS does

OCULUS is an Australian landscape architecture and urban design consultancy operating from Melbourne (headquarters) and Sydney, with a documented US office contact channel. Founded around 1993 and registered as OCULUS Landscape Architecture, Urban Design Pty Ltd, the firm delivers professional services across the full project lifecycle, from concept design and master planning through to documentation and construction administration. Its portfolio spans large-scale public realm, parks, waterfronts, civic spaces, urban regeneration, cultural institutions, and educational campuses.

Core service lines include Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Public Realm Design, Strategic Planning and Design Guidelines, Community and Stakeholder Engagement, and participation in Design Competitions. The firm has also developed proprietary knowledge products, notably the Nature Design Guide (a Country-centred nature-based design resource co-developed with industry partners), Woody Meadow Guidelines, and the ACT Government Gender Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines, which extend its scope into published industry standards and policy advisory work.

The business model is professional services fees for landscape architecture and urban design commissions, sourced through competitive tendering, design competitions, and repeat commissions from government bodies, large property developers (notably Lendlease and Riverlee), universities, and cultural institutions. The firm operates a horizontal segmentation approach spanning government, developers, cultural institutions, and educational clients, with a consistent emphasis on Country-first design integrating Indigenous knowledge systems and sustainability outcomes. Technology stack centres on BIM, GIS, parametric design, and 3D visualisation, led by a dedicated BIM Manager.

Name

OCULUS

Legal name

OCULUS Landscape Architecture, Urban Design Pty Ltd

Website

https://oculus.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OCULUS is an Australian landscape architecture and urban design studio serving government, property developers, cultural institutions, and universities on public realm, parks, waterfront, and urban regeneration projects from offices in Melbourne and Sydney.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Landscape architecture services
• Urban design consulting
• Public realm design
• Master planning services
• Environmental planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Newtown

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Services: Professional consulting services for landscape architecture, urban design, public realm design, and master planning. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for design, documentation, and construction services on large-scale public and private projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OCULUS is a landscape architecture and urban design practice providing professional consulting services spanning concept design through to construction documentation and administration. Core offerings include comprehensive landscape architecture for parks and public spaces, urban design and master planning for precinct-scale developments, specialized public realm design for streetscapes, plazas, waterfronts, and laneways, and strategic planning with design guidelines and policy frameworks for municipal and precinct scales. The firm serves government agencies, property developers, cultural institutions, and educational clients primarily across Australia with selected international projects.

Product overview

OCULUS is a landscape architecture and urban design practice offering a integrated service portfolio centered on two core offerings: Landscape Architecture Services and Urban Design Services. These are supported by specialized capabilities including Public Realm Design, Strategic Planning and Design Guidelines, Community and Stakeholder Engagement, and Design Competition Entries. The firm has also developed proprietary knowledge products including the Nature Design Guide (a Country-centred design resource), Woody Meadow Guidelines (for naturalistic Australian plantings), and Gender Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines (for inclusive public spaces). The Nature Design Guide and Woody Meadow Guidelines are published as free downloadable resources for the industry, reflecting OCULUS's role in advancing landscape architecture practice in Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Landscape Architecture Services Comprehensive landscape architecture services spanning concept design through to construction documentation and administration, including site analysis, design development, and implementation oversight for parks, public spaces, and urban landscapes. Delivered to government, property developers, cultural institutions, and educational clients across Australia and selected international markets.
• Urban Design Services Urban design services encompassing master planning, precinct design, public realm strategies, and integrated landscape-urban solutions for large-scale urban renewal and development projects. Provided to government agencies, property developers, and institutional clients for precinct and city-block scale work.
• Public Realm Design Specialized public realm design focusing on streetscapes, plazas, waterfronts, laneways, and activated pedestrian spaces that foster social connectivity and community engagement for government and developer clients.
• Strategic Planning and Design Guidelines Strategic planning services including design guidelines, frameworks, and policy development to guide urban development and landscape outcomes at municipal and precinct scales. Delivered to government clients and institutional stakeholders.
• Nature Design Guide A practical, industry-led resource created to help shape a Country-centred approach to nature-based design in the Australian built environment, collaboratively developed with actionable nature-based solutions and case studies for embedding nature outcomes at building and precinct scale projects. Published as a downloadable resource for the industry.
• Woody Meadow Guidelines Published guidelines explaining how to design, install, and maintain woody meadows (naturalistic plantings of Australian woody plants for people and nature), developed through research collaboration with universities and botanical gardens.
• Gender Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines An evidence-based report and implementation toolkit that sets benchmarks for public spaces that are equitable, inclusive, accessible, and safe for all, particularly women, girls, and gender diverse individuals, developed for the ACT Government.
• ACT Planning System Review and Reform An evidence-based report delivering world-class urban design outcomes through reform of the ACT's planning framework, developed in collaboration with industry partners to recommend effective design governance frameworks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Subi East project recognised with 2025 AILA National Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage and AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Civic Landscape
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• UDLAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Design partner with OCULUS on Subi East project. UDLA collaborated on urban design and landscape architecture from concept through construction for the 35 ha Subi East city village redevelopment in Perth.
• Kerstin Thompson ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm partnered with OCULUS for TarraWarra Museum of Art: Eva and Marc Besen Centre project. OCULUS provided landscape architecture alongside Kerstin Thompson Architects' building design.
• Woods BagotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal architecture firm collaborated with OCULUS on Younghusband project (Creative Re-use category win at 2025 World Architecture Festival), converting 17,000+ sqm of industrial space in Melbourne.
• ASPECT StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer joint venture partner ASPECT|OCULUS delivered major projects including Victoria Harbour City Quarter and Melbourne Quarter. Companies continue to collaborate on various projects.
• GHDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and design consultancy collaborated with ASPECT|OCULUS on Victoria Harbour City Quarter Masterplan, embedding sustainability principles into the public realm delivery.
• LendleasecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMajor property and construction company engaged OCULUS for TRX City Park in Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne Quarter. OCULUS provides landscape architecture services within their development teams.
• LendleasemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration group member for Nature Design Guide development. Lendlease worked with OCULUS and other industry partners to create practical guidance for Country-centred nature-based design.
• Nature & ClimatemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the Nature Design Guide collaboration group, working with OCULUS and other industry partners including Lendlease, Living Futures Institute Australia, and others to develop the guide.
• Curtin UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Nature Design Guide collaboration group, contributing research and expertise to Country-centred nature-based design guidance.
• ArcadismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal design and consultancy involved in Nature Design Guide collaboration group, providing engineering and sustainability expertise.
• AECOMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfrastructure firm part of Nature Design Guide collaboration group, contributing expertise in infrastructure and urban development.
• Boffa MiskellmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Zealand landscape architecture and planning consultancy collaborated with OCULUS on Unitec Urban Strategy masterplan for Auckland campus.
• Diller Scofidio + RenfrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational architecture firm part of winning team for Adelaide Contemporary International Design Competition (later reconceptualised as Tarrkarri – Centre for First Nations Cultures).
• City of MelbournemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal government client for Seafarers Rest Park project. OCULUS collaborated with City of Melbourne on the waterfront park development.
• Craig Murphy-WandinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWurundjeri horticulturalist and artist collaborated on TarraWarra Museum of Art landscape, bringing Indigenous knowledge and cultural expertise to the project.
• BESIX WatpacmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Bank Street Park project in Sydney. Head contractor working with OCULUS and Infrastructure NSW on the waterfront park delivery.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ASPECT Studios: Australian landscape architecture and urban design practice and former JV partner of OCULUS (ASPECT|OCULUS). They compete head-to-head for the same public realm, waterfront, and urban regeneration commissions across Australia.
• Architectus: Australian architecture and urban design practice with strong public realm and urban regeneration credentials. Comparable on civic, transport, and precinct-scale projects in Australia and New Zealand.
• McGregor Coxall: Australian landscape architecture and urban design firm with international offices. Comparable on service offering (master planning, public realm) and cross-border project experience in Asia-Pacific.
• Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL): One of Australia's best-known landscape architecture practices, repeatedly recognised alongside OCULUS at AILA National Awards. Directly comparable on typology (parks, cultural, public realm) and Australian client base.
• Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG): Sydney-based architecture and urban design practice with heritage and public realm expertise. Comparable on adaptive reuse and civic landscape commissions in Australia.

Broad incumbents

• Hassell: Large Australian architecture and design practice with integrated landscape and urban design capability. Competes for major civic and mixed-use precinct commissions, but landscape architecture is one offering within a much broader portfolio.
• HKS (Landscape Architecture): Global architecture and design firm with landscape architecture capability across large civic and mixed-use projects. Provides a global benchmark for how integrated design firms compete for mega-projects where OCULUS may be a sub-consultant.

Emerging players

• Landworks Studio: Australian landscape architecture practice working across public realm, urban regeneration, and cultural projects. Comparable on typology and Australian client base, though smaller in scale and portfolio recognition than OCULUS.

Regional players

• Boffa Miskell: New Zealand landscape architecture, planning, and urban design consultancy that has collaborated with OCULUS on the Unitec project. Comparable service offering across the Tasman, primarily serving NZ rather than the Australian market.
• Grant Associates: UK-based landscape architecture practice with Asia-Pacific project experience (e.g., Gardens by the Bay, Singapore). Comparable on large-scale international public realm commissions and award profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oculus_2
• Instagraminstagram.com/oculusstudios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OCULUS