public ReadOnlyObservableCollection<Element> Elements {get;}

{
  //Find an element on a layout.
  //Note: Must be on QueuedTask.Run
  // Reference and load the layout associated with the layout item
  Layout mylayout = layoutItem.GetLayout();
  if (mylayout != null)
  {
    //Find a single specific element
    Element rect = mylayout.FindElement("Rectangle") as Element;

    //Or use the Elements collection
    Element rect2 = mylayout.Elements.FirstOrDefault(item => item.Name.Equals("Rectangle"));
  }
}