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 10 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.
Martha Hall
Martha joined APE Studio in 2020 with a passion for creativity, exploration, and fun. 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 engaging and fulfilling environments for children.
Martha is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
Hinali Shah
With a background in architecture and urban landscapes, Hinali joined APE Studio as Project Manager in 2020 to pursue a passion for creating spaces that bring people joy. Hinali’s previous experience in the field includes managing construction projects at a New York City design school and for a real estate non-profit and conducting community research as a volunteer in the Dominican Republic. As an editorial intern for Metropolis Magazine, she unearthed hidden stories about the architecture and planning fields.
Max D’Aurizio
Max has extensive experience in the design of destination playgrounds, parks and gardens. Prior to graduating from Cornell University, 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.
Matt Resignola
Matt comes to APE Studio with over a decade of experience in food manufacturing operations and hospitality. He grew up playing in the backyard wilds and surrounding waters of South Louisiana. Two young children have reconnected him to the joys and challenges of playgrounds where he can be found now, both at work and at play.
Serra Akyuz
Serra joined APE Studio as a project manager for playground projects after five years of work across civil infrastructure and manufacturing projects. Her childhood play spanned many places - from neighborhood parks in Brooklyn and Staten Island to her family home in Istanbul and the streets and towns across eastern Turkey and by its shores. She believes it is important to understand how spaces are shaped by people, time, place and values and likewise, how the spaces we build can influence the behavior and values of society. With her background, she hopes to help build playspaces that positively impact and serve all guests.