Julia Rousakis
Julia Rousakis co-founded APE Studio after more than a decade of work with Richter Spielgeräte on projects throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and sites in Canada. A native of Houston, Julia enjoyed a free-range childhood exploring the playgrounds and bayous of her hometown. As APE Studio’s director of sales and marketing, Julia aims to bring the same opportunities for self-directed play and nature discovery to play spaces across North America. Julia is a former journalist and writer for museums, a two-time graduate of Columbia University, and the parent of two playground enthusiasts.
Julia is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
Chelsea Hoffman
From a young age, Chelsea has been climbing trees and halyards in search of quality play. A co-founder of APE Studio, Chelsea oversees the firm’s special projects. Prior to working with Richter, her experiences with the exhibitions team at MoMA and leading outdoor adventures for children and communities have served to reinforce her current pursuit of challenging and meaningful play experiences that connect users to the natural environment.
Chelsea is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
Ed Miller
Ed is a co-founder of APE Studio and serves as the company’s technical director. Ed is also the owner of Corby Associates, a family-owned company started by his grandfather that provides installation and inspection services to school districts and cities. Ed is a leader in the playground field, a board member and the chair elect of the National Playground Contractors Association, and an active a member of the National Park and Recreation Association.
Ed is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
William Larson
Will is APE Studio’s planner and designer bringing over three years of experience to playground projects. Having grown up in North Carolina he has always made time for the outdoors and even as a resident of New York City is still an avid hiker, skier, and general wildlife enthusiast. With a background in industrial design, specifically product design, spaces and human interaction with things designed to occupy those spaces has always been a passion of Will’s.
Will is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
Jacqui Miller
Jacqui is a recent graduate from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. Jacqui hopes to utilize her studies of human centered design to build engaging and enriching play-spaces. Jacqui’s curiosity and excitement for play stems from her childhood filled of imaginative roleplay and outdoor adventures with her siblings in her own backyard. After an internship in 2020, Jacqui officially joined the APE team in 2021 as a planner and designer.
Jacqui is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
Martha Hall
Martha joined APE Studio in 2020 with a passion for fun experiences. She loves spending time outside, whether it’s biking, urban exploring, or mushroom hunting. With a background in studio art and design, she is interested in providing creative and engaging environments for children.
Martha is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
Max D’Aurizio
Max has extensive experience in the design of destination playgrounds, parks and gardens. Prior to graduating from Cornell University in 2019, he worked as a landscape contractor in the greater Rochester area for several years. Max grew up playing in a first-growth oak forest and splashing around in the local bay, where he learned that nature is the best playground. His focus is bringing that joy to urban settings, so that all children have the same opportunity to learn and grow through play.
Max is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector and licensed Landscape Architect.