RIZEN Atelier

November saw significant industry news as Bradhly Le set up a new practice, RIZEN Atelier. “I wanted to start a design studio that wasn’t about me, or my name or what I’ve built, I wanted it to be an embodiment of my vision so that the studio focuses on what really matters,” explains Bradhly. “So the new venture needed to embody my vision for a studio rooted in the real world – one that pursues creative concepts and innovative ideas with originality, determination and perseverance. The ‘rise’ in RIZEN reflects this ethos, while the ‘zen’ represents my commitment to balanced solutions. This sees RIZEN deliver practical, achievable designs that prioritise human needs and address environmental imperatives.”

Bradhly is joined by Carolina Velosa, Angel Mix and Paris Dickins – Senior Interior Designer, Interior Designer and Graduate Designer, respectively. “The company connects with my values, whilst also creating meaningful and lasting design across all sectors,” adds Carolina. “I am extremely excited to be a part of the studio’s growth and what we will achieve”

Hames Sharley

Hames Sharley’s WA Studio is entering a new chapter, with Director Derek Hays stepping into the role of Studio Leader. Building on an impressive 25-year career with the interdisciplinary design practice, the appointment sees Derek take on the new challenge after serving as the Head of Hames Sharley’s National Design Forum since 2019.

“The business of architecture has changed a lot over the last 25 years, but what hasn’t changed is that our WA Studio is filled with brilliant, creative people, and I’m excited to work alongside them to drive growth and uphold a high standard of design excellence,” says Derek.

The announcement follows the promotion of previous WA Studio Leader, Brook McGowan, to the position of Head of Studios. This strategic position sees Brook leading the studio stream of the practice and joining the national executive team. “While we work from many studios, at the end of the day we operate as one national practice working towards a common goal – enabling communities to flourish,” adds Brook.

Meanwhile, three other leaders have been appointed to new roles at Hames Sharley: Director Susanne Pini, Principal Rob Corcoran and Victorian Studio Leader Megan Carroll. Caillin Howard, Managing Director, notes that the appointments enhance Hames Sharley’s national team of thought leaders, advancing the practice’s research-led, design-driven approach, united by a shared vision to amplify humanity. “Each of them brings invaluable expertise aligned with Hames Sharley’s core defining value of a deep passion for collaboration. This collaboration extends beyond our teams to include our clients and the communities we serve,” he says.

Finally, Rehana Ghouze is welcomed as new Principal of Finance with over 30 years of comprehensive global experience across all facets of finance. “Being a successful finance leader means combining strong technical skills with clear communication and collaboration,” she says. “It’s about supporting teams, solving challenges and aligning financial goals with a company’s vision – in our case, enabling communities to flourish.”

Studio Kristen Whittle & Waugh Thistleton Architects

Studio Kristen Whittle (SKW) Melbourne and Waugh Thistleton Architects (WTA) London have formed a joint venture to undertake sustainably driven projects in Australia. “We come together to form an exceptionally strong design alliance to promote the creative use of clean green mass timber technologies set to decarbonise the building industry globally,” say Kristen Whittle and Andrew Waugh. “Combining our design expertise can help solve the looming housing crisis in Australia by promoting the use of a prefabricated systems for large scale urban regeneration projects with a speed to market, community centric revitalising design to construction agenda.”

Given the inherent complexity of large-scale developments, wherever they are made, the joint venture is focused on the need for clarity and coherence in effective delivery. They state that a ‘toolkit-based’ sustainable solution is key to resetting the Australian property market, helping to guide local industry and supply chains to NetZero while showcasing how to properly and effectively service the needs of the public.

Gray Puksand

Architecture and design firm Gray Puksand farewells partner Craig Saltmarsh and has bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of a new Senior Associate and seventeen key staff promotions across its four national studios. These strategic changes position the practice to deliver major projects across the commercial, education, workspace and health and science sectors in 2025.

Sydney Partner Craig Saltmarsh played a pivotal role in driving the growth of both the Sydney studio and the broader Gray Puksand business through his expertise in stakeholder engagement and relationship building. “My time at Gray Puksand has been incredibly rewarding,” he says. “I take great pride in the work I have delivered and the many architecture and design professionals I have mentored over the last 25 years.”

As Saltmarsh departs, the leadership of the education sector in the Sydney studio will transition to Partner Barry Hackett and Senior Associate Holly De Jong in 2025. Joining Gray Puksand’s Melbourne studio, Senior Associate Amanda Chan brings more than ten years of experience in health architecture and a robust knowledge of emerging sector trends gained from industry involvement and serving as Chair of the Health Architecture and Design Network.

Meanwhile, a raft of other promotions take effect on January 1st across national studios: Senior Associate, Phil Calleja (Melbourne); Associates Cathy Chapman (Melbourne) and Anya McClelland (Sydney); Project Lead Paulina Markos (Sydney); Senior Interior Designers Bianca Toscano (Melbourne), Beatrice Laforce (Sydney) and Isobel Rashleigh (Sydney); Senior Architectural Technicians Morgan Carse (Melbourne) and Zain Khan (Sydney); Architectural Designers Mark Bishop (Sydney) and Prudence Tang (Sydney); Interior Designers Tanya Gourgaud (Canberra), Chiara Vezzaro (Melbourne), Lydia Watt (Melbourne), Kylie Shandon (Melbourne) and Nina Baldwin (Sydney); and Marketing + Bids Manager Anita Siiankoski (Brisbane).

Nulty

International lighting design consultancy Nulty recently announced that it has acquired KLAASEN Lighting Design to broaden its geographical footprint and bring a 40-year strong brand into the fold. The strategic acquisition will significantly enhance Nulty’s presence across Europe and Asia, particularly in Singapore where the Martin Klaasen led firm has been an influential player for over 30 years. The decision to integrate KLAASEN into Nulty is the result of a longstanding relationship between the two globally renowned practices.

KLAASEN will be integrated into the Nulty team, with Founder Martin Klaasen assuming a position of Managing Partner, and undertaking a key leadership role to manage the transition. A lighting designer, speaker and highly respected industry contributor, Martin will work closely with Founder Paul Nulty and Managing Partner Mark Vowles to oversee projects in the Asia-Pacific region and maintain the highest level of creative work and customer service. 

Paul Nulty comments: “Today marks an exciting new chapter as we welcome KLAASEN into our Nulty family. As we look to consolidate our position as a market leading brand and build alliances in key markets, Martin and his team will fuel our growth plan and provide an injection of new talent and specialist expertise. We’re delighted to have them on board to take Nulty to greater heights.”

Martin Klaasen adds: “This is a gratifying moment in my career and a moment where I can with great confidence and enthusiasm step into the future – one that will be exponentially multiplied by the integration of our two experienced teams. Both Paul and I have had an aligned vision for a long time, and therefore it makes total sense for us to enter this next phase together, with KLAASEN now an intrinsic part of the Nulty story.” 

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