Emerging from the lockdowns and slowdowns of the last couple of years, the industry has put its best foot forward with a string of new appointments.

DesignInc Melbourne

DesignInc – the Melbourne studio that, despite the challenges thrown up by COVID, has grown significantly through the pandemic and now includes over 60 people – has made two new appointments.

Darryl Suttie, who has been with the practice since 2005, has been made a Director; while Health Architect and Planner Helen Neill has been promoted to the position of Associate.

DesignInc Melbourne Directors Christon Batey-Smith, Stephen Webb and Rohan Wilson congratulated Darryl and Helen on their moves.

“With Darryl on board as a Director, it enables us to be more effective as leaders. We will each be able to focus more strategically on our strengths and not feel stretched across many things. As an Associate, Helen will work closely with clients and stakeholders to improve design strategies and better health outcomes,” they said in a statement.

Architectus

With the appointments of Bridgeen Rocks as National Strategic Leader Client Experience and Growth, Natalie Silber as National Manager Strategic Communications, and the promotion of Sally Fielder to National Manager New Business, Architectus has signalled its intentions to deepen and strengthen its client-centric approach.

Fielder, who joined the practice in 2017, has the task of leading six bid coordinators to achieve successful bids by communicating the Architectus vision to clients; while Silber will lead the practice’s team of digital marketers, graphic designers, videographers and copywriters.

Announcing the changes, Architectus Principal and CCO, Ruth Wilson said that its Clients + Communications team is now well-poised to respond to the evolving needs of clients in a way that encourages fresh perspectives.

Hames Sharley

Hames Sharley has appointed Gavin Kain as Director and Cross-Portfolio Design Lead. The appointment is part of the practice’s efforts to shape its strategic direction, and to continue to grow and compete nationally.

In his new role, Kain will be tasked with facilitating inter-portfolio opportunities and strengthening the practice’s reputation for pioneering urban design-led, architectural design.

While acknowledging the deep effects COVID has had on the community, Kain said it is nevertheless an exciting time to be an architect.

“It is a pivotal moment for the profession and I’m deeply humbled and excited for the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the talented people across Hames Sharley’s studios,” he said.

SJB Sydney Studio

SJB has promoted Gabrielle Suhr to the role of Studio Associate in its Sydney office.

Having been with the studio since 2008, Suhr has focused on creating close client relationships and maintaining the highest level of communication in order to achieve rewarding architectural outcomes. Her belief in the value of community has seen her strive to bring a joyful element and level of delight into the built environment.

“We are continually impressed with Gabby’s capacity to navigate project priorities – to ensure excellence across architectural, public and development objectives,” says SJB Directors, Adam Haddow, Nick Hatzi, John Pradel and Jonathan Knapp.

SJB has promoted Gabrielle Suhr to the role of Studio Associate in its Sydney office.Having been with the studio since 2008, Suhr has focused on creating close client relationships and maintaining the highest level of communication in order to achieve rewarding architectural outcomes. Her belief in the value of community has seen her strive to bring a joyful element and level of delight into the built environment.

Woods Bagot

Woods Bagot, a practice that has long positioned itself as a leader in environmentally responsible design, has appointed Russell Fortmeyer as its Global Sustainability Leader.

Having trained in both engineering and architecture, Fortmeyer’s career has focused on addressing the challenge of climate change and the effects of architecture on the natural environment, social equity and human health.

Though in his new role he will be based in Los Angeles, he will lend his expertise to all 17 of Woods Bagot’s studios. He will seek to add to the organisation’s long list of successes in this area and projects like ‘Pump to Plug – Reimagining an Electric Mobility Future’ (USA), International Renewable Energy Agency’s Headquarters (Abu Dhabi), and Goodman Hayesbery (Australia).

Hassell

Hassell has announced nine new leaders promoted from within the firm, to reinforce the company’s position at the forefront of strategic intelligence and creative design. Hassell Managing Director, Steve Coster, says the rotation of leadership roles reflects the firm’s objectives to develop and empower talent to deliver great design and unlock value for clients.

Leadership promotions include Caroline Diesner as Australian Regional Leader; Natalie Busch as Managing Principal (Perth); Richard Mullane as Managing Principal (Melbourne); Peter Morley as Managing Principal (Hong Kong); Ingrid Bakker and Domino Risch, both as Commercial and Workplace Sector Leader; Julian Gitsham and Adam Davies, both as Education and Science Sector Leader; Jeremy Schluter as Residential Sector Leader.

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