Even though innate talents will surface regardless of the conditions, it is undeniable that children inherit certain tendencies.
Watching their parents dedicate time to a profession, hobby or sport can often influence children to do the same.
This is the case of Michael Pascuzzi, successful Project Manager at one of the most prominent multinational property and infrastructure groups in the world, Lend Lease.
Son of Santo, who comes from Soveria Mannelli in Calabria, and Maria, who is from Francavilla al Mare (Abruzzo), Pascuzzi has shared two of his greatest passions with his father since his teens: the professional sector and sport.
“From a very young age I worked with my father Santo, who is one of Melbourne's most talented craftsmen. My father and I worked on many heritage listed projects such as the South Melbourne Hall facade restoration, Newman College Melbourne University, St Mary of the Sea and Labassa to name a few.
“Much of the learnings from these projects were applied on my father’s residency, Pascuzzi Villa. We constructed Pascuzzi Villa during my teenage years, and one key example which I was an integral part of was the creation of the bespoke parquetry floor designs where I designed, cut and laid the floors,” Michael recalled.
Alongside his talent for construction and design, Pascuzzi also inherited a passion for one of the most adored sports of the Italian community in Australia.
“My father introduced me to bocce in my teenage years. I started playing at the Calabria Club in Bulla and actually still play for the Calabria Club! I also served as the Victorian Bocce President for 8 years,” Pascuzzi said.
It’s hard to believe that Pascuzzi, who graduated with an architecture degree at the University of Melbourne and has been at Lend Lease for 17 years, has much spare time on his hands.
During his role at Lend Lease, Pascuzzi has been responsible for some of the most important projects in Melbourne.
Following the works at the new Melbourne Recital Centre which concluded in 2008, Pascuzzi moved onto the various phases of the Melbourne Park redevelopment project.
Melbourne Park is an icon of the city, and is renowned as the heart of sport and entertainment, host to the Australian Open and home to hundreds of other sporting and musical events that attract thousands of visitors to the city every year.
The multi-million dollar project was assigned to Lend Lease by Major Projects Victoria, and the company was awarded “Master Builder of the Year 2015” from the Master Builders Association Victoria, for its innovative design and techniques.
In recent weeks, Pascuzzi and his team won the “Professional Excellence Award” in the Commercial Construction category of the Australian Institute of Building for the “cosmetic upgrade” of Margaret Court Arena.
The project involved an upgrade of the arena in the Western Precinct, including the addition of 1500 seats and a retractable roof that can open and close to cater to diverse conditions.
According to Pascuzzi, the planning of the roof was one of the most challenging and problematic phases of the entire project.
The second phase of the upgrades at Melbourne Park began in February 2016, and is dedicated to Rod Laver Arena, third in line in the world for its ticket sales.
The illustrious arena opened in 1988 and has showcased myriad international stars and sporting champions over the past decades, and thanks to the upgrades, it will be fit to operate for the next 25 years.
While the works will continue through to November 2019, they will have a limited impact on the events scheduled at the arena.
In fact, one of the major challenges of the project was ensuring it didn’t interfere with the functioning of the venue and the execution of events, such as the Madonna concert which took place at the beginning of the works.
For this very reason, the project has to progress in sections, with occasional interruptions to the developments and only one “black-out” period to complete the interior work.
The most anticipated improvements include a new primary entrance, food courts and new public areas, a loading zone (which is currently being worked on), and a new façade which will at first be built from the outside of the existing one.
As for the interior, the main works will focus on increasing the capacity of the roof load baring capacity to accommodate the equipment of larger events (to 100 tonnes), and a section of retractable seating which can “disappear” to render the structure adaptable to all occasions.
The abundance of experience and knowledge that Pascuzzi has gained through his involvement in major State projects over almost 20 years with Lend Lease is no secret.
As well as acting as a consultant for the multinational company, Pascuzzi has participated in the corporate Community Day, undertaking a free voluntary project for Preston West Primary School, close to his home, as a way of giving back to the community through his competence and passion.
