“2023 is all about preparing for the future”: Designers on the move

Australian Institute of Architects

Dr Cameron Bruhn has been appointed as the new CEO of the peak body, effective from 11 April. He succeeds interim CEO, Barry Whitmore, and will leave his current role as Dean and Head of School at The University of Queensland’s School of Architecture.

“My vision is for a lively and sustainable peak body, positioning it as a critical infrastructure that anticipates and nurtures the needs of the membership and addresses the complex demands of a career in the profession,” says Dr Bruhn. “In parallel, I will use my ability to advocate and connect with the diverse industry and government stakeholders who shape the built environment to give clarion voice to the value and impact of the profession and its contribution to the lives of people, places and communities.”

SJB

Two new directors have been appointed at the Melbourne studio, each having built over a decade of experience with SJB. Beaudene Fulwood will focus on navigating new projects through the initial design and town planning stages, while Nigel Morris will be building on the studio’s reputation for both the management of the architectural process and design excellence.

“I’m proud to become a director of a business with a vision for a brighter future. Our emphasis on culture, on Country and driving for greater design, economic and social sustainability in our projects makes this studio a tremendous place to work,” says Morris. Fulwood, meanwhile, says: “I’m excited to be involved in our studio’s current wave of projects in social housing, aged care and build-to-rent, adding to our already extensive residential, commercial and hospitality work.”

Arup

Sustainable development consultancy Arup has added 11 new members to Property Council of Australia 2023/24 Industry Committees. Ranging across national and state levels, they will serve on a range of national and state committees covering sectors such as cities, education, commercial office and social infrastructure, as well as sustainability, industrial and logistics, diversity, equity and inclusion and future directions.

Make

Following a string of recent competition and award wins, Make’s Sydney studio is expanding. Six new members will join the Sydney team of this employee-owned and international practice: designers Ryan Gormley, Isabella Castelli, Arantxa Afable and Jing Hui, architectural assistant Olivia Van Wersch, and studio manager Claire Claridge.

Make’s Asia Pacific director, Simon Lincoln, commented on the growth that the Sydney studio is experiencing: “In these new ‘Makers’ we’ve found six individuals who share our collective commitment to creating the best places, spaces and buildings in Australia.”

Cult

The design retailer embarks on February with seven new team members and the promotion of five current employees. New hires and internal promotions include a range of positions across leadership, sales, marketing, e-commerce and logistics – all part of Cult’s 2023 growth strategy. Headlining the raft of changes is the promotion of Jeffry Tsang to general manager leading all departments in Australia.

“2023 is all about preparing for and looking ahead to the future. We have spent so much of the past three years working quarter to quarter as both the business and our team, like everyone else in the world, navigated through really challenging circumstances. My job will be to help harness our people and their skills, and to ready the business over the course of the year to propel us forward,” says Tsang.

Related: What I’ve learnt in 25 years: Richard Munao

Gensler

The global architecture and design firm has announced that former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis, is joining as global immersive experience design leader. Weis brings to Gensler more than 30 years of experience in creating, designing, and developing some of Disney’s most iconic projects around the globe. 

“At Disney, we often collaborated with Gensler, and I was able to see first-hand its culture of design innovation that transforms the quality of life in our world,” says Weis. “This is what visionary companies are seeking, and what we all are yearning for as we interact with the world around us. Gensler’s commitment to leading the future of design is perfectly aligned with my passion for developing unique, immersive experiences with a diversity of creative voices.” 

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We think you might also enjoy reading December’s On The Move, careers in design column, here.