Warren and Mahoney

Warren and Mahoney is set to amplify its Australian design team with the addition of accomplished multidisciplinary designer Kate Roach. Joining as Principal, Roach brings a wealth of international and local experience with a portfolio rich in residential, hotel and hospitality environments.

Roach’s passion for design excellence and unwavering commitment to client service were honed through stints as an Associate Partner with Foster and Partners in London and, subsequently, running her own design practice. With Roach as Principal, she will shape the firm’s integrated approach to design, working closely with Melbourne-based Principal, Nick Deans.

SJB

Recent award-winners at the NSW Architecture Awards, SJB has announced two new appointments in its Sydney studio. Architect and Worimi-Biripi Guri man, Jack Gillmer, has been promoted to Associate, First Nations Lead. In this role he will lead and facilitate caring, designing, as well as connecting with First Nations peoples on projects and developing frameworks and methodologies to establish processes that are respondent to Country.

“The duality of this position reflects the responsibilities that exist for me both culturally and within the built environment. It is an acknowledgement of our cultural obligation to care for Country in the work we do as design practitioners,” says Gillmer. “The intersection of cultural knowledge and the urban fabric is a space of endless potential.”

Meanwhile, architect Hamish Ginn has been promoted to Senior Associate, People and Culture Specialist where he will lead career advancement and personal development, assist new parents in navigating returning to work, and provide on-site mental health support. “This new role will strengthen the studio’s values and guiding principles – it’ll help sustain SJB’s profile as an employer that values studio culture and nurtures its staff,” says Ginn.

John McAslan + Partners (JMP)

Global design practice JMP has appointed architect Ruth Butler to its Sydney studio as an associate. A highly experienced and award-winning architect with over 20 years of experience, Butler joins the team to work on the delivery of Waterloo Station, currently under construction as part of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line.

“As an architect, I have a strong interest in heritage and adaptive re-use,” says Butler. “I’m pleased to be joining a practice with great depth in these areas and to have the opportunity to work on city-changing projects.” Meanwhile, JMP director, Troy Uleman, adds: “Ruth is an excellent fit for our practice. She has a focus on turning old into new and is committed to design for decarbonisation. Her impressive portfolio of education, residential and commercial projects will benefit our clients as we expand in these sectors locally.”

GHD

GHD, a leading global professional services company, has launched a brand new entity, GHD Design. The new brand amalgamates the strength of GHDWoodhead and GHDWoodhead creativespaces teams from Australia and New Zealand, forming a 300-strong team of architects and designers. GHD Design is recognised as the largest practice in Australasia in the World Architecture 100 2023 listing by UK’s Building Design.

The launch of GHD Design follows its recent successful projects such as the Māori Land Court in Whangārei, the Perth Airport Station and the Wurun Senior Campus in Melbourne. Under the leadership of Leone Lorrimer, Australian practice leader, GHD Design will operate across various sectors, including civic, community and justice, commercial and workplace, defence and national security, education and science, health and wellbeing, industrial facilities, residential, retirement and aged care, retail and hospitality, transport facilities and urban development.

Hassell

Hassell, a leading international design practice, has confirmed the re-election of its Board Directors, along with the appointment of Principal Richard Mullane to the board for the first time. Mullane has  a rich background in architecture, urban design, strategic planning and place-making.

Under the leadership of Liz Westgarth, the new Hassell Managing Director, the board aims to drive ambitious commitments to sustainability, diversity, inclusion and technology-based innovation over the next three years.

Local Peoples

Melbourne-based co-design studio, Local Peoples, has announced its expansion into Canberra. Marking this new venture, the studio will organise community events to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between designers, policymakers, and public sector innovators. Local Peoples General Manager, Maka Kama, who possesses extensive experience in public sector innovation and inclusive design, will lead the Canberra practice.

Founder and Chief Impact Designer, Pino Demaio, expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, asserting that co-design offers an incredible opportunity for the Australian public sector. He believes collaboration, inclusivity, experimentation, and transparency can shape a responsive, fair, and prosperous society.

NH Architecture

NH Architecture has recently announced the elevation of Felicity Douglas to the position of Director. With a decade-long tenure at NH Architecture, Douglas has significantly contributed to the studio’s success, evolving from a Project Leader role to Principal, and now a Director.

NH Architecture is expanding its expertise into sectors like social and affordable housing, build to rent, and health and education. Director, Hamish Lyon, notes: “Felicity has a gift for nurturing collaborative relationships, enabling creativity to flourish within our project teams and with our design partners.”

Plus Architecture

Plus Architecture is establishing three new studios in Geelong, Hobart and Adelaide. This development reflects a period of strong growth for the practice, which now hosts ten studios across Australia and New Zealand. The move positions Plus Architecture at the forefront of a new wave of development as these cities experience accelerated post-pandemic development.

The new studios will be led by experienced members of Plus Architecture’s team and will focus on boosting the supply of affordable, environmentally-friendly housing, healthcare, education and other critical infrastructure.

Woods Bagot & ERA-co

Woods Bagot Holdings announced key appointments to fortify its Workplace Interiors and User Strategy teams across the Woods Bagot architecture and ERA-co placemaking brands.

Amanda Stanaway, formerly the Global Leader – Workplace Interiors at Woods Bagot, assumes the Head of Global User Strategy role at ERA-co, focusing on enhancing user experience through synthesising workplace strategy and fit-out solutions.

Brisbane Studio Chair, Kirsti Simpson, steps up as Stanaway’s successor at Woods Bagot, bringing 25 years of innovative workplace design experience. Additionally, the well-respected designer, Hayden Crawford, joins to lead Woods Bagot’s Sydney Workplace Interiors team.

Woven Image & CSR

The recent news from the designer and manufacturer of acoustic solutions for walls and ceilings is that Woven Image is being acquired by CSR. The latter, a leading building products company, is due to complete the takeover by October 2023. The two firms have a longstanding relationship with CSR having acted as a manufacturing partner to Woven Image for many years.

Tony Sutton will retire as Executive Chairman with John Borzi remaining as Woven Image’s CEO. “The synergies between the two organisations take many forms, but not least our joint commitment to sustainability,” says Sutton. “In particular, I believe the acquisition will accelerate the decarbonisation of our products and operations. Together we can drive even greater industry change, specifically in areas of product stewardship, waste management and circularity in the building materials sector.

We think you might be interested in the May 2023 edition of On The Move.