Is it really February already?! With 2023 already well on its way, it’s time for our first On The Move round-up of promotions and hires across the design industry. Who’s moved in 2023?
Recent additions to Make's Sydney studio, photograph by Jessica Lindsay.
February 3rd, 2023
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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
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.”
Keep us up to date with design careers and who’s On The Move here at Indesignlive!
We think you might also enjoy reading December’s On The Move, careers in design column, here.
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!
Explore the captivating realm of molo, the world-renowned design studio led by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen. molo’s acclaimed soft collection celebrates a unique fusion of art, design, and architecture and – crucially – sustainability.
The leading furniture supplier solidifies its Asia Pacific expansion with an immersive new showroom space.
Didier studio celebrates the harmony of democratic design and understated utility with the Gunzel seating and table collection.
For Living Edge, B-Corp certification was the next appropriate step in a long journey focused on building a truly sustainable and socially responsible business. In 2023 they achieved certification at their first pass, giving customers a new level of environmental assurance and the company an important milestone to celebrate across two decades of staff-led, sector-leading sustainability practices.
The Northern Concourse at Sydney’s Central Station, a significant infrastructure project in the context of the city’s evolving transport system, has recently been completed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners.
How do we get cut-through in the current media landscape? Communications Collective’s Genevieve Brannigan shares her insights, tips and expert advice on prepping your media materials, making media reach outs and how to build clout using social media.
Established in 2001, the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize has had a home in recent years at the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf. This year’s winner is Anita Johnson.
Vipoo has taken home the winning title in the biennale MAKE Award for Australian creatives. Learn who took home second prize and highly commended in what is Australia’s richest, non-acquisitive prize for craft and design in Australia.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
The future of Australia’s last surviving woollen furnishing textile mill and dye house has been secured thanks to its joint acquisition by Instyle Contract Textiles and Colan Australia.
Design that speaks many languages is to be treasured and enjoyed. Trent Jansen tells a story of design collaborations and connections through his work on Country with friends and artists who bring the perspective of First Nations people to the fore.