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Studio: Operations

Ben Keck,
Director

Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Law, The University of Melbourne

Ben co-founded Fieldwork with a background that the architecture industry rarely has at the table: finance and development. His unique perspective shapes how we work with clients – identifying opportunities early, determining briefs and building development strategies with a realistic path to delivery. Good design, in his view, has to work for every stakeholder in the process. 

Ben co-founded Assemble and Assemble Papers alongside Quino, an experience that honed his understanding of housing, community and density done well. Active in sport outside of the office, Ben plays in Fieldwork’s ArchiSoccer team, and coaches his son’s football team. He leads the Systems Management committee. 

Claire Jiao,
Finance Manager

Claire manages the financial operations at Fieldwork, working closely with project teams on forecasting, resourcing and the kind of decision-making where the numbers shape outcomes. She moved into architecture because she was drawn to an industry where financial decisions translate directly into physical results: buildings, spaces, communities.  

Her approach is grounded in clarity – taking something complex and making it easier for the team to understand and act on.  

David Sidaway,
Accountant

Diploma of Accounting, Chisholm Institute

David keeps Fieldwork’s finances in order with close attention to detail and a steady, methodical approach. With over a decade of experience in accounting and bookkeeping, he brings a solid working knowledge of financial reporting, taxation and regulatory compliance. David is a key part of Fieldwork’s operational infrastructure, which keeps the practice running smoothly.

Damian Wilson,
BIM & Technology Leader

Advanced Dip., Building Information Management, Box Hill Institute
Advanced Dip., Building Design (Architectural), Holmsglen Institute

Damian leads the implementation of design technology at Fieldwork, bringing a systematic, detail-oriented approach shaped by an unusual background: applied physics, then building design and documentation before finding his way into BIM management.

A cross-disciplinary grounding means he approaches technical problems differently – drawing on process thinking from science and manufacturing as much as from architecture. He’s at his best helping project teams clear obstacles and work more efficiently, taking systems developed on complex projects and refining them for the next one. Good design, in his view, should have intention and purpose – simple in nature but with depth.

Damian is the head of Fieldwork’s BIM and Technology committee.

Mauricio Plazas,
BIM Manager

Diploma in Programming Fundamentals (Python), Caldas University
Town Planning Masters Pilot, University of Colombia
Architect Pilot, University of Colombia

Mauricio brings an engineering mindset to BIM management – his instinct is to find the friction in a technical workflow and remove it, making complex processes more efficient for the teams that depend on them.

He came to the role through architecture, town planning, construction management and a decade in visualisation and rendering before going deep into BIM, software and technology. This breadth means he understands how the technical backend connects to every stage of a project. Outside the studio, Mauricio is a minimalist who disconnects completely from digital life, spending time outdoors and gardening.

Mauricio sits on Fieldwork’s BIM and Technology committee.