Appointments

BUREAU^PROBERTS ARCHITECTS WELCOME NEW HEAD OF STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

MCMAHON APPOINTED AS WARDLE’S INAUGURAL FIRST NATIONS LEADER

Wardle has announced that Michael McMahon has become the practice’s inaugural First Nations Leader.

The recently created role will see the practice enhance its engagement with Indigenous stakeholders for architectural projects and is a step towards reconciling town and Country with Country, one of the practice’s five pillars.

Since joining in 2021, McMahon has assisted in Wardle’s delivery of the Bendigo Law Courts and the University of Tasmania’s Willis Street project in the Inveresk precinct, as well as the Castlemaine Art Museum masterplan. A Bundjalung descendant and born in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, McMahon graduated from the Royal College of Art in London in 2020 and his deep research and insight of place and context make him the ideal candidate for the role.

McMahon’s duties will see him support project and management teams on decision making surrounding First Nations issues and forms part of Wardle’s second reconciliation action plan, titled Innovate.

Richard Mullane Joins Hassell Board

Newly elected Hassell Managing Director, Liz Westgarth, has confirmed fellow re-elected Board Directors (Rob Backhouse, Angus Bruce, Caroline Diesner, Brenden Kelly and Mark Loughnan) and notes that Principal Richard Mullane will join the Board from 1 July 2023.

Over the next three years the Board will continue to drive ambitious commitments to sustainability, diversity and inclusion and technology-based innovation across its international architecture and design practice.

With a background in architecture, urban design, strategic planning, and place making, Mullane has extensive international experience, including 16 years at Hassell based in Sydney, Shanghai, San Francisco, and Melbourne where he is currently based.

Amena Reza has joined Brisbane-based architecture practice bureau^proberts in the newly created role of Head of Strategy and Operations. Reza is no stranger to the built environment industry, having spent most of her career working in architectural design practice in strategic growth roles.

She has also served as a member of the bureau^proberts Advisory Board for the past five years. In her new role as Head of Strategy and Operations, Reza will guide the practice into its next phase of design locally and internationally.

Reza’s career in architectural practice began in 1999 at ML Design as the firm’s Financial Controller, where she quickly progressed to Finance Director and Partner.

She went on to become Managing Director in 2014, after leading a successful ownership transition.

Since 2017, Reza has held several contract senior C-Suite Executive roles, as well as consulting to both the commercial and not-forprofit sectors. She is currently the Deputy Chair of the RSPCA Qld Board and is a Member of the Audit & Risk Committee for Mining.

Two New Senior Leaders Promoted At Fender Katsalidis

Fender Katsalidis have announced the promotion of two senior leaders within the practice’s Sydney and Brisbane Studios, at a time when both outposts are growing in influence.

Jessica Lee has been appointed as Studio Lead in the Brisbane office, while hospitality expert Angela Biddle joins the Sydney office as Principal.

Lee has been a long-time team member at FK, joining the practice as a graduate in 2005. Involved in delivering a number of critically acclaimed seniors living projects, Lee’s expertise lies in creating accessible and human-centric facilities.

Angela Biddle adds some 20 years of design experience to the practice’s Interiors Team, holding prior roles at Scott Carver (Director) and Yoo Hotels and Resorts (Creative Lead). The new Principal’s forward-thinking approach and engagement with clients and stakeholders across an array of sectors makes her an ideal fit for the position.

The appointments have been made as the practice currently works on the likes of Brisbane’s Midtown Centre and Central Place Sydney.

Arup Appoints New First Nations Projects Lead

Melanie Grills is the newly created externalfacing role to enable Arup to apply a First Nations cultural lens across its project portfolio. Grills is a Gomeroi (Kamilaroi) woman from Moree in NSW, currently based in Queensland. She brings a wealth of experience in similar roles across large Australian companies, where she had developed deep relationships with key stakeholders, while maintaining strong connections to Community and Country.

Tanner New Aia National President

Stuart Tanner has officially commenced his role as National President of the Australian Institute of Architects, becoming the first Tasmanianbased National President this century.

Tanner was confirmed as the new National President yesterday, which additionally endorsed the ACT’s Jane Cassidy as 2023/2024 National President-Elect.

Tanner will assist the Institute in achieving its goal of being Australia’s definitive voice for built environment professionals.

Gazy Given Civic Principal Role At Hdr

Mark Gazy has moved to HDR to assume the role of Civic Principal, strengthening the practice’s commitment to delivering cityshaping projects and precincts.

Gazy’s 25 years as a built environment professional spans across the mixed-use, residential, commercial, education and urban design sectors at the likes of BVN, Tzannes, SJB and AJC. Gazy’s role at HDR will see him work alongside the practice’s health, education, science and defence teams to innovate operations.

Gazy will combine both his own personal expertise with that of HDR’s to deliver an array of projects and precincts including build-to-rent and social and affordable housing. HDR’s work in public infrastructure will see him operate alongside governments to deliver high quality justice and correctional health facilities.

Tanner founded Tanner Architects in Hobart 23 years ago, holding a strong connection to the Australian landscape and its relationship to architecture. He takes over from former National President Shannon Battison, who will remain on the Board as Immediate Past President. Tanner is full of praise for Battisson as she moves away from the National Presidency.

Hassell Appoints First Female Managing Director

Hassell has unveiled its first ever female Managing Director, with Australia’s Liz Westgarth to oversee the practice’s worldwide operation from 1 July 2023.

Regarded as a generational shift for the practice, the Sydney-based Westgarth will lead Hassell into a new chapter. The practice hopes to set a precedent for gender equity through the appointment and its commitment to diversity and inclusion.