Backing long-term talent with senior leadership roles across five studios
These appointments recognise people who understand that great projects require both design ambition and the ability to bring teams together to deliver them.
Queensland: Leadership depth for unprecedented volume
Our Brisbane and Gold Coast portfolio exceeds $9 billion, delivering major multi-residential and mixed-use precincts for national and international developers. The region is experiencing sustained development momentum driven by population growth and the 2032 Olympics infrastructure investment. ICD Property’s $2 billion Donkin Street redevelopment in West End and Shayher Group’s $2 billion North Quay twin towers represent the scale and confidence now moving through Brisbane’s development pipeline.
Two promotions anchor this growth, following Kate Ockwell‘s appointment as Principal in late 2025:
Matt Harrison – Senior Associate
Matt has delivered high-rise residential on the Gold Coast with a clear understanding of where constraints surface and how to navigate them without compromising outcomes. His promotion recognises technical leadership that keeps complex projects moving while maintaining the design intent that makes them worth building.
Alex Menchaca-Velasco – Associate
Alex leads through mentorship and calm when projects get complicated. His promotion reflects an ability to hold quality and team culture together across an expanding portfolio, recognising that great work comes from great teams.
“These promotions recognise the people who’ve built this studio and ensure we have the leadership depth to sustain it as we continue to expand.”
The residential market across New South Wales is being reshaped by planning reform and density targets that demand more sophisticated design processes and outcomes. Our $5 billion pipeline in the state spans a range of typologies in both regional and urban locations, with an increased focus on partnerships that will deliver much needed social housing outcomes for at-risk communities.
Mahtab Bahrami – Senior Associate
After ten years with us, Mahtab’s promotion recognises her strength in managing large-scale complexity. She orchestrates consultants, navigates approvals, and holds quality through delivery, understanding that beautiful outcomes require rigorous process.
Perth: Design leadership for sectoral diversity
In Western Australia, growing investment in social and affordable housing, transport infrastructure and inner-city student accommodation is reshaping the mix of projects coming to market. Our work in Perth has expanded from a primarily residential focus to a $2.3 billion portfolio spanning social and affordable housing, purpose-built student accommodation, transport, commercial and hotel developments – reflecting our response to a broader and more complex pipeline. This evolution reflects both the state’s growth cycle and the need for more integrated design processes across multiple sectors.
Luis Schilling – Head of Design WA
A newly created role reflecting Perth’s evolution. With twenty years of experience across complex multi-residential, commercial and large-scale urban projects internationally, Luis will lead design review processes, strengthen studio culture, and support teams from feasibility through schematic design. His appointment recognises that great design comes from strong process and collaborative culture.
“Luis’ international experience brings valuable perspective as the studio evolves. He’ll play a key role in strengthening our design processes, culture and outcomes.”
Melbourne’s residential sector continues to recalibrate following market corrections and planning policy shifts, with the development pipeline now favouring quality over volume. Our Melbourne portfolio spans $2.5 billion across residential, mixed-use and adaptive reuse projects that demand design-led outcomes balancing heritage sensitivity, urban density, and evolving construction methods.
Mau Cheng – Associate
After eight and a half years with us, Mau’s promotion recognises his ability to combine conceptual clarity with refined architectural detail. He’s a design leader in key projects, including 623 Collins (State Bank House) and Melior while exploring emerging construction technologies, including modular approaches, understanding that innovation serves better outcomes.
Growing leaders, backing expertise
Four recent elevations and one strategic appointment across five studios. A $18.8 billion Australian portfolio requiring leadership that can navigate distinct regional conditions while maintaining the design and delivery standards that define our work—design vision, delivered with precision.
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Image top row: Senior Associate Matt Harrison, Associates Alex Menchaca-Valesco and Mau Cheng, bottom row: Senior Associate Mahtah Bahrami and Head of Design WA Luis Schilling.