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About Joe Villella
Engineer. Innovator. Visionary.
Hi, I’m Joe Villella
I’m a Senior Civil Engineer with more than 25 years of experience delivering infrastructure across Australia—from suburban roads to large-scale commercial developments and complex stormwater systems.
I’ve had the privilege of working on high-profile projects, including airport aprons, national retail chains, industrial estates, and multi-unit developments. Along the way, I’ve combined technical precision with creative problem-solving to bring practical, buildable solutions to life.
But I’m not just an engineer—I’m an inventor. I created the globally successful Fanaway retractable ceiling fan, and I’m currently developing Hydro Spheres, a revolutionary underground stormwater storage system designed to transform how we manage runoff in urban design.
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A Career Built on Design and Discovery
Over the past two decades, I’ve worked with architects, developers, builders, and councils to deliver hundreds of developments across Victoria and beyond. These include:
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Road and drainage design for major arterial upgrades
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Full civil design for supercentres, schools, and hospitals
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Pavement and grading design for commercial and airport facilities
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Extensive work on urban infill and multi-dwelling subdivisions
My approach is simple: understand the real-world needs of each project, design with clarity and care, and deliver on time with the right approvals in place.
Quick Snapshot
> MBA in Entrepreneurship (2015) > 25+ Years in Civil Design
> Inventor of Fanaway & Hydro Spheres > 200+ Urban Development Projects Delivered
> Diploma in Project Management (2017) > Featured on ABC’s New Inventors
My Professional Timeline
1990–2025 – Civil Engineer on key Urban/Industrial/Commercial developments, roads, and drainage
2005 – Invented Fanaway: a retractable blade ceiling fan
2007–2013 – Partnered with Beacon Lighting to scale Fanaway globally
2013 – Sold my share in Fanaway; continued consulting and innovating
2015–2017 – Completed MBA and Project Management qualifications
2015–Present – Founded Retractive Consulting and began further innovative developments
2025 – Scaling the business and opening to licensing partners
The Innovation Journey
Innovation isn’t just about new ideas—it’s about solving real problems in better ways.
Fanaway, invented in 2005, reimagined ceiling fans for modern spaces. With retractable blades that disappear when the fan is off, it blended function and style. After gaining national recognition on ABC’s New Inventors, the product went global through a partnership with Beacon Lighting.
Now, I’m working on Hydro Spheres, an underground water detention system designed to replace backfill with interlocking structural spheres. It’s a smarter, faster, and more sustainable solution for modern stormwater management.
If you're an investor, manufacturer, or distributor interested in game-changing infrastructure solutions, let’s talk.
Project Highlights
Here are a few civil projects I’ve proudly delivered:
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Melbourne Airport – Qantas Apron & Taxiways
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Westbourne Grammar School – Car Park & Stormwater Design
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Bunnings, McDonald’s, KFC, Hungry Jack’s – National Rollouts
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28 Wood Street, Preston – Multi-Unit Development
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Over 200 Dual Occ and Urban & Industrial Projects (civil, drainage, pavement grading)
Each one delivered with care, communication, and commitment to practical design excellence.
What I Stand For
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Innovation – I constantly challenge the status quo and look for smarter, leaner solutions.
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Precision – Great engineering lies in the detail. Every line matters.
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Integrity – I believe in being straight with people and always delivering what I promise.
Let’s Work Together
Whether you're a developer, architect, or investor—I bring value beyond just engineering drawings. I offer real-world thinking, buildable designs, and a commitment to pushing boundaries when it matters.
Let’s shape something meaningful together.