(L-R): Conrad Gargett associate Laura Molloy and senior associate Rey Bolivar.
It's the final edition of On The Move for this year! Find out about who's been doing what and where across the world of design to round out 2022.
Beginning her career with Warren and Mahoney over 14 years ago, the Wellington studio has welcomed Claire Sharpe back as associate principal. Claire spent her first five-years at W+M honing her skills, before heading to London where she joined international architectural firm Foster + Partners, transferring to their San Francisco Studio to help realise the design ambition of Apple Park.
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Wellington studio principal, Katherine Skipper, says she is delighted to see Claire’s return to the practice: “We knew Claire was extraordinary talent – even as a graduate – and were fortunate to play a role in her early years. We’re proud that given her extensive experience and impressive client portfolio, she’s chosen to return to Warren and Mahoney for the next chapter of her career.”
1000 Trees, a building designed by Heatherwick Studio and opened last year, has become host to the very same practice. The new studio is in Shanghai and is the company’s first permanent overseas base.
“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter in the studio’s history. Ever since we built the UK Pavilion for the Shanghai 2010 World Expo, our studio has had an amazing connection to the region. It feels natural and exciting to properly set up a permanent base in one of our own buildings, with our doors wide open to the public. I have huge respect for the design talent in China as well as people’s appetite in this region to commission daring and exciting work. We can’t wait to collaborate with everyone even more than we’ve had a chance to before,” says Thomas Heatherwick.
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In addition to hosting the team of ten and a public display with models of their most iconic designs, the studio will also offer guided tours to visitors wanting to find out more about their work.
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council has appointed a new president, sustainability champion Tanya Cox, as celebrated architect Professor Ken Maher AO steps down after seven years in the role.
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Ms Cox is a non-executive director of various ASX-listed and unlisted boards. She is the former chair of the Green Building Council of Australia and World Green Building Council and was chief operating officer of Dexus Property Group for 11 years.
“ASBEC plays a unique role as the peak collaborative forum for organisations that champion sustainable, productive and resilient buildings, communities and cities. I am honoured to take on the position of chair as ASBEC pursues an ambitious agenda. Supporting the transition to an integrated, sustainable and climate resilient built environment, strengthening regulations and ensuring all Australians have healthy and comfortable homes, offices and buildings are big challenges,” Ms Cox says.
International design practice Buchan continues to build capability and capacity with two new appointments in New Zealand. Scott Inverarity joins the Auckland studio as a senior associate, whilst Christchurch welcomes associate Crispin Schurr. Both will work across the entire business as part of the company’s fluid structure.
“Scott has a very broad reach across the industry, and we’re looking to grow that. He will have a national role with a focus on client development and delivery,” says New Zealand regional pperations leader and Christchurch principal, Raylene McEwan.
“Crispin is a very talented architect with particular expertise in sustainability and timber frame construction. He brings those skills directly into the Christchurch studio as well as to the wider practice and is a great asset.”
Senior associate, Rey Bolivar, and associate, Laura Molloy, are the pair leading a vibrant, energetic and culturally diverse interiors team of 15 people all under 40 years of age at Conrad Gargett.
As the former frontman in a punk band, Bolivar questions the status quo and tries to push the boundaries of what’s possible: “We are bound by a lot of constraints as to what is viewed as good design but I try my best to not be influenced by it as much; I love a little design tension – it’s just in my nature to question things.”
Molloy, meanwhile, explains: “Our approach is very collaborative and non-hierarchical – Rey and I may sculpt and guide the team but ultimately we see everyone as bringing unique and valuable contributions to all of our projects.”
Frasers Property Australia chief executive officer Anthony Boyd has been appointed to the board of directors of the Green Building Council of Australia. The GCBA and Frasers Property have a long history of working together, and Mr Boyd will lead that association into the future while facilitating the sharing of knowledge, expertise and innovation between industry and the GBCA to drive meaningful change.
“Looking ahead,” says Boyd, “the biggest challenge for the built environment is scalable change. This will ideally be driven through access to affordable technologies, products and construction methodologies which are crucial for raising the standards of future sustainable buildings. Greater access will also enable the elevation of existing buildings to those same standards.”
Adelaide architecture firm Russell & Yelland has bid farewell to former director, Alistair McHenry, who retires in December after more than four decades of service to the team. McHenry became a director of Russell & Yelland in 2000, having first joined the team in 1981. He most recently led the practice alongside life fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and national president of the Association of Consulting Architects, John Held, and BuildSA co-founder, Stewart Caldwell.
Global strategy, design, and construction firm Unispace has announced the appointment of Simon Pole to lead Downstream Unispace for the Australia and New Zealand region as principal, experience strategy. Downstream is an experiential design firm acquired by Unispace in October 2021.
Pole has more than 25 years of experience in design, nearly a decade of which has been spent at Unispace. “Simon’s appointment enables us to better serve our clients across an expanded offering and, together, build what has never existed before,” said Emma Forster Mitrovski, CEO, ANZ at Unispace. “If there is one constant within our design, it’s our ambition to authentically connect in dynamic new ways.”
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We think you might also enjoy reading about November’s On The Move, careers in design column, here.
