HASSELL recently announced new roles for 3 Board of Management members, heralding further expansion for the company in Asia.
August 17th, 2011
Earlier this year we spoke to HASSELL Managing Director Robert Backhouse about the firm’s growth, particularly in China and South East Asia following the opening of their Singapore office.
Last week it was announced that 3 members of HASSELL’s Board of Management have been appointed to new roles that will allow them to focus on the firm’s international growth and success.
Chairman of the Board Ken Maher will become Chairman of the HASSELL International Executive, with a special emphasis on guiding international development in China, South East Asia and, most recently, the UK, where the practice’s new London office will extend their capabilities into Europe and the Middle East.
“As Chairman of our new International Executive, my core focus will be to build on our design reputation and client relationships and unite our people together across geographic boundaries,” Maher explains.
“This also involves harnessing our collective international talent and bringing it to bear on projects at a local and international level.”
PTTEP, Bangkok, Thailand
On the catalysts that led to the creation of his new position, Maher said, “As a Board we have been developing our international strategy for several years. Our increasing international recognition through design awards and the expectations of our international clients have encouraged us to act to establish this new International Executive.”
Further consolidating the firm’s international focus is Shanghai-based Managing Director Asia, Peter Duncan, taking on the role of Chairman of the Management Board.
Duncan is the first non Australia-based Director to fill this role, which is emblematic of the practice’s strong presence in Asia.
“Our work in China now constitutes 20% of our work in total,” Duncan explains.
Harbin Taiping International Airport, Harbin, China
“Although historically HASSELL has been guided from its base in Australia, it is clear that a shift in emphasis is now required with a broader, more cohesive guiding hand taken by our leadership team.”
Duncan’s primary focus will be “to ensure a level of consistency in design excellence, across disciplines and geographic boundaries,” he says.
Radisson Suites, Bangkok Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand
“There will be a greater integration between all 13 studios [worldwide], with a sharing of design talent and resources across time zones. Not only will this promote design excellence, it will enable smarter, faster delivery of projects for our clients.”
Managing Director Robert Backhouse will continue his current role.
“My role largely remains the same,” Backhouse explains, “however, these are exciting times for HASSELL as key leaders from the Board step up to lead HASSELL into its next crucial stage of international development.
“Peter [Duncan]’s appointment in particular, from Managing Director of Asia to Chairman of the Management Board, is an acknowledgement of the increasing importance our studios in China are playing in helping guide our development.”
Top image: Deutsche Bank, Hong Kong
HASSELL
hassellstudio.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The American Hardwood Export Council promotes the works of next-gen designers through Discovered Singapore exhibition happening from 16 to 22 May at Red Dot Design Museum Singapore.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Brisbane based workstation specialists, Ergosystem have completed another fitout for legal firm BT Lawyers, incorporating Sit to Stand workstations in a simple yet innovative way to achieve their client’s requirement.
An overview of the standard garage sizes in Australia, why garage sizes differ, and the most common garage types in Australia.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Useful Objects has just opened its doors and has a notable exhibition, ‘Desire x Design,’ coming as part of Melbourne Design Week.
From housing affordability to questions of density, multi-residential design and the future of cities, here are eight varied stories from our archives.