Abbie Galvin announced as NSW Government Architect

BVN Principal Abbie Galvin has been appointed as the 24th Government Architect of New South Wales. Established more than 200 years ago, the role of the Government Architect has been to provide design expertise, strategic leadership, advocacy and advice to Government to improve the community and various outcomes for the state. Abbie commences as Government Architect at the end of December 2019 and has therefore resigned from her role as a Principal of BVN.

Abbie Galvin

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DesignInc

In Melbourne, DesignInc has appointed Ellen Wilkinson to Associate – Education Leader. Wilkinson joined the team in September, bringing experience and passion for education design. Seen as a growth sector for DesignInc, Wilkinson’s knowledge in educational architecture extends to primary, secondary and tertiary work across the private and public sectors.

Ellen Wilkinson

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Gray Puksand

National architecture and design practice Gray Puksand has announced the promotion of three staff, alongside the appointment of three new senior leaders. Barry Hackett has been elevated from Associate to Senior Associate in the Sydney office. Debra Longin is an interior designer working in commercial, educational and workplace and has been promoted to Associate. Finally, Pragya Gupta, a registered architect in India, has been promoted to Associate. Joining Gray Puksand’s senior team are Associates Kevin Adasko and Fernando Torres, as well as National Design Technology Manager Jeames Hanley, who will be implementing the roll out of a design and digital technology strategy.

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MODE

Design studio MODE has announced the appointment of several new staff off the back of winning recent work. Joining the team is Joanne Lo, who brings 25 years of practical design experience in both local and international projects, alongside Pawle Calvert-Brown who joins as a Senior Project Leader. Another new team member is Shraddha Shah, a Senior Architectural Graduate with 12 years of experience in hospitals, pharmaceutical facilities and education.

In addition to new people joining, MODE has rewarded the contributions of key staff through internal promotions, bolstering the leadership group. Auckland’s Brunilda Brookes has been promoted to Associate Director, four new Associates have been appointed, including Suzannah Harvey (Sunshine Coast), Yatrik Patel (Sydney), and Esther Kim and Andrew Butcher in Brisbane. There have been two further promotions in MODE’s Brisbane studio with Katie Holman promoted to Infrastructure Team Leader and Sean Cherry to Senior Landscape Architect.

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Plus Architecture

Plus Architecture has announced the appointment of two new directors. Matthew Charles, based in the New Zealand office, was made Director, helping to drive growth in that region. Recently joining the Sydney team is Sumedh Kataria, who has been brought on as a Director with a strategic focus on business development.

International practice Plus Architecture are pleased to announce the appointment of two new directors to their Senior Management team. Matthew Charles, based in the New Zealand studios, was appointed director earlier in the year to drive the continued success of Plus in New Zealand onwards and upwards alongside existing Director Jaimin Atkins. Matt’s background in prefabrication and construction, as well as his design knowledge, set him apart as an adept, practical delivery expert and he has already proven an excellent asset to the Plus team. Sumedh Kataria has also recently joined the Plus Sydney studio as director with a strategic focus on business development. Sumedh brings 18 years of industry experience to his position.

In addition to welcoming new directors to the team, the Plus Architecture studios have also been on the move. In October, the Melbourne studio will be moving to a new central location on Elizabeth Street in Melbourne’s CBD. Once an empty, heritage-listed building, Plus designers have brought this new space back to life – delivering a refreshed and contemporary studio which still retains a number of the original heritage elements. The Plus Sydney studio have recently relocated to a beautifully restored and renovated heritage listed building on Clarence Street and, earlier in the year, the Plus Brisbane studio took ownership of a modern, open plan office on Adelaide Street in central Brisbane. The Perth studio have also relocated to new, larger premises to accommodate unprecedented growth since last year. Finally, Plus Architecture are excited to make public their establishment in Queenstown, New Zealand following the significant growth and expansion of work into this vibrant and growing destination.

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PTW celebrates 130 years of business

In the 130 years since its founding in 1889, PTW has delivered projects that transform cities and the built environment. As of 2019, PTW has studios operating in Sydney, Beijing, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi with over 200 staff and projects completed globally. Led by its pioneering practice leaders from founder James Peddle to current Sydney Executive Directors Simon Parsons and Indesign Luminary Diane Jones – the practice has defined each era through its contribution to the built environment; and now its current Directors will continue this legacy for decades to come.

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Unispace

David Drover comes to Unispace with a wealth of design and leadership experience having worked in the industry for more than 25 years. Originally from Melbourne, David is international in his outlook: his curriculum vitae showcases a varied career in Australia, Asia and the United Arab Emirates that has seen him work across the residential, commercial, workplace, education and hospitality sectors.

Using complementary skillsets gained through his work across large and small design practices, David’s knowledge and entrepreneurial approach puts him in great stead to lead and develop the Australian design team from Unispace’s Melbourne studio in his new role as Regional Design Principal.

David Drover

Have you been promoted, made a move somewhere new or setting up shop in a new city? We want to know about it! Send updates through to editorialteam@indesign.com.au.

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