As Australia's leading voice in narrative-driven architectural journalism, Amodeo crafts stories that reveal how built environments shape human experience. Her current work for ArchitectureAU and international publications focuses on three key areas:
Successful story ideas should include:
"The most compelling architectural stories emerge where form meets function in service of human connection."
We've followed Leanne Amodeo's work across Australian and international design publications for over a decade, observing her evolution from magazine editor to one of Oceania's most insightful architectural storytellers. Her writing bridges the gap between technical precision and human-centered design philosophy, making complex spatial concepts accessible without sacrificing depth.
"The best spaces don't just shelter bodies – they nourish communities through material poetry."
Amodeo's 2023 profile of this Queensland gin bar exemplifies her ability to decode spatial narratives. Over 1,800 words, she traces how designers translated distilling processes into architectural forms – hexagonal floor patterns mirroring molecular structures, copper cladding echoing still components. The piece stands out for its technical analysis of vapor-proof material selections alongside lyrical descriptions of patron experiences during golden hour. Her interviews with both mixologists and construction managers reveal how hospitality venues balance aesthetic drama with practical durability.
This 2024 case study of a Melbourne downsizing project showcases Amodeo's strength in life-stage architecture reporting. She documents how designers created "spatial compression chambers" through sliding oak panels and chromatic zoning, interviewing the retired homeowners about their transition from suburban living. The article's innovation lies in its 12-month post-occupancy evaluation, tracking how light patterns and storage solutions impacted daily rituals. Industry analysts credit this piece with popularizing post-occupancy studies in residential journalism.
Amodeo's 2025 deep dive into this Thredbo ski lodge renovation demonstrates her mastery of heritage-sensitive design reporting. By contrasting 1970s construction blueprints with contemporary thermal modeling data, she reveals how architects preserved nostalgic timber features while achieving 7-star energy ratings. The piece's standout element is its economic analysis – Amodeo calculates the long-term savings of triple-glazed windows versus traditional alpine building methods, providing actionable insights for mountain resort developers.
Amodeo consistently highlights projects using Australian-sourced materials in novel applications. Recent coverage of rammed earth construction in coastal NSW (ArchitectureAU, March 2025) demonstrates her interest in regionally specific solutions to climate challenges. Pitches should include technical specifications alongside artisan collaboration stories.
Her ongoing investigation into adaptable housing (Habitus Living, 2024-2025) makes her particularly receptive to projects addressing aging populations. Successful pitches combine floorplan diagrams with demographic data visualization.
While Amodeo frequently covers Indigenous architectural elements, she prioritizes projects involving direct community partnerships over superficial aesthetic references. Include verification of traditional owner consultation processes in pitches.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Architecture, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
