Our Board of Directors

SONIA SARANGI, Chair, Treasurer. Finance & Research

Sonia is a director of andever, a tenacious thinker and problem solver. A highly capable project lead, her collaborative approach and strong negotiation skills bring a fresh perspective to the table.

Sonia is a strong advocate for diversity in the profession and has been involved in a number of mentoring programs, a guest critic and tutor at University of Melbourne - Melbourne School of Design and is a frequent contributor to Parlour.

Sonia has been a member of the ArchiTeam since 2017 and the (Continuing Professional Development CPD) committee since 2018 and co-convenors of the 2021 ArchiTeam Virtual Conference - Trajectories. Sonia joined the Board in 2019 and was reelected at the 2021 AGM. In 2021-22 Sonia is the Director in charge of the Finance and Research Portfolios.  

Sonia is a keen photographer and often drives around the block a little bit longer just so she can finish listening to a podcast episode.

DELIA TESCHENDORFF, Secretary, Advocacy, and Conference

Delia founded Delia Teschendorff Architecture in 2009. A registered architect in Victoria, she received her architecture degree from RMIT University. Her architecture studies included 12 months in the master’s Program at Sci-Arc, the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, USA. Committed to the belief that ‘design thinking’ can improve our built environment, Delia recently completed a design research PhD at Monash University, supported by a Monash University Graduate Research Scholarship. Titled, ‘Site Thinking in the Suburbs’, her design research investigated new design principles and design tools for housing subdivisions in the fringe areas of Melbourne.

Delia has taught design and construction studios at Swinburne University, RMIT University and the MSD (Melbourne School of Design) and is currently a design tutor at Monash University. Delia is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) and was a Victorian Chapter Councillor for two years from 2009. She has been a Juror for both the ArchiTeam Awards and Victorian AIA awards programs. 

Delia joined the Board in 2020 and has been the Director in charge of the Insurance Portfolio and Co Director in charge of Member Services, in 2022 Delia was in charge of the ArchiTeam Awards and Partnership portfolios and was one of the 2023 ArchiTeam Conference Creative Directors.  In 2024 Delia took on the role of Secretary, and Director in charge of Advocacy and Conference.

KALLIOPI VARKAS, Awards & Member Services

Kalliopi Vakras is the director of Kalliopi Vakras Architects, a small architecture practice established in 2009.  

Kalliopi is a registered architect with over 20 years experience both locally and internationally, have worked in Vienna. Her background lies in residential, low scale multi residential, commercial and early learning architecture.  She has also taught various design studios for 8+ years.

Kalliopi joined the Board in 2020 starting as Director in charge of Advocacy and Member Services Portfolios. Kalliopi is currently Director in charge of the Awards Portfolio and is continuing to manage the Member Services Portfolio.

She has recently completed an off-grid tiny home with her husband their rescue greyhound Dennis who plays an important role in the office.

JOHN LIU,  Insurance & Partnerships

John is the director of Inbetween Architecture. He is passionate about architecture that delights and endures. Inbetween Architecture’s work thrives to amplify the simple joys found in everyday life – spaces that nurture ‘being’ and ‘being together’.

Before establishing Inbetween Architecture, John worked 10 years for some locally well-known practices with strong focus in sustainability, on projects from small home renovation to university building refurbishment. The invaluable training laid the foundation for Inbetween Architecture, that good design is inherent from inception, not bolt-on.

John joined the CPD Committee in 2020 and was elected to the Board in 2021, where he is the Director in charge of the CPD and Events Portfolio. At the 2023 AGM John took on the role of Director in charge of the Insurance and Partnerships Portfolios.

John owns an Instagram account of vending machines he encountered on his travels. John looks forward to the day when he can share new posts again.

WESLEY SPENCER, CPD and Events 

Wesley is the director of Wexhaus; an Architecture Studio, founded in 2013, defined by an unwavering commitment to quality and a relentless pursuit of perfection. Wexhaus’ approach is deeply personalised and reflects Wesley’s commitment to collaborating closely with clients and builders to create homes that are true manifestations of the owners.

Wesley has also recently completed a master’s of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies to embrace the practice’s evolution into a heritage architecture specialisation.

Wesley is also the Design Assessment Panel for the Sandarra estate.

Wesley was elected to the ArchiTeam Board at the 2023 AGM and is the Director in charge of the CPD and Events Portfolio.