Kaunitz Yeung Architecture is expanding, Gray Puksand and Wardle have announced a number of internal promotions, while David Hicks celebrates 25 years in practice – all in this mid-year round up of industry appointments. 

Kaunitz Yeung Architecture strengthens senior leadership team

Kaunitz Yeung Architecture has boosted its expertise with the appointment of Karen Sangster in Sydney and project architect Samara Webster in Brisbane. Both bring a shared focus on enabling high-quality design across health, education, aged care and cultural facilities, particularly in partnership with some of the most remote communities across Australia and the Asia Pacific.

Sangster, who brings more than 15 years of experience leading large-scale and complex projects, says Kaunitz Yeung Architecture’s commitment to designing with communities deeply resonates with her.

“I’m keen to bring what I’ve learned through public and regional work, but just as eager to learn from the communities we work with,” she says.

Meanwhile, Webster has a decade of expertise in social housing, aged care and mixed-use developments. She has also built a studio from the ground up, so she’s excited to support the growth of the firm’s Brisbane studio. 

Karen Sangster. Image: supplied.

Samara Webster. Image: supplied.

Ewart Leaf promotes studio lead 

Siew-Fung Then has been promoted to senior associate and studio lead at Ewart Leaf in Perth. Then has worked for the firm for 11 years at both the Melbourne and Perth studios, with a period of time spent working remotely in Tokyo. Then’s experience spans private and multi-residential, mixed-use, commercial and industrial sectors. 

Stephanie Bullock steps into leadership role 

Kosloff Architecture director and co-founder Stephanie Bullock has been appointed President of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. 

Bullock has made significant contributions through her co-chairing of the Sustainable Architecture Committee and her national leadership in curating the monthly ESD Lunch-time Lean-ins. She says she is looking forward to working with all members to further the interests of the profession. 

Stephanie Bullock. Image: supplied.

Gray Puksand expands partnership team

As part of a broader round of internal appointments, Lauren Oneile and Quentin Seik have been appointed as partners at Gary Puksand. Paulina Markos has also been promoted to associate. In all, 11 team members have stepped into new roles across the four studios to support a strong pipeline of upcoming projects. 

Quentin Seik. Image: supplied.

Lauren Oniele. Image: supplied.

Wardle announces new appointments 

Melbourne- and Sydney-based architecture practice Wardle has elevated Alan Ting, a former design director, to a principal at the firm. Meanwhile, Chloe Lanser, Leigh Hanekom and Adam Kolsrud have moved into associate principal roles. 

A number of existing team members have had their success recognised with updates to their titles, while the team has grown with the addition of two new associates. 

Alan Ting. Image: supplied.

Leigh Hanekom. Image: supplied.

Chloe Lanser. Image: supplied.

Adam Kolsrud. Image: supplied.

Alison Potter joins HDR Melbourne

Newly appointed design principal at HDR, Potter brings more than 20 years of experience, including senior design leadership positions at Grimshaw, Hassell and Foster + Partners.  

“Joining HDR presents an exciting opportunity to deepen the dialogue around environmentally responsive architecture in highly complex and technical buildings,” Potter says. “I’m looking forward to driving design outcomes that not only put its users at the centre, but are also innovative and deeply responsive to place, ecology and community.”

Alison Potter. Image: supplied.

Kate Luckraft joins Urbis Sydney

Kate Luckraft brings more than 25 years of experience as a practising landscape architect to her new role as director of the national design team at Urbis. Along with Mark Kuhne, Luckcraft will be spearheading Urbis’ landscape architecture offering.  

“I’m thrilled to join the Urbis team and collaborate with its talented strategic thinkers across multiple disciplines,” Luckraft said. “Urbis presents the opportunity to bring multiple perspectives together, to address and resolve complex urban and environmental challenges.”  

Kate Luckraft. Image: supplied.

Plus Architecture announces senior appointments 

Strengthening capabilities and expertise to meet unprecedented demand, the award-winning practice has appointed John Walsh as principal in Sydney and Edward Armstrong as senior associate in Queensland.

Left to right: Edward Armstrong and John Walsh of Plus Architecture. Images: Supplied

Alex Hoffmann now principal at JCB Architects Brisbane

Alex Hoffmann will lead the Jackson Clements Burrows Brisbane studio, bringing over 30 years of experience in delivering large-scale urban design, master planning and infrastructure projects.

Director Jon Clements says, “Alex’s passion for infrastructure and urban design brings an exciting area of specialisation for the practice, augmenting our existing work in these sectors while also bringing exceptional insight and experience in the Brisbane market.”

Grace Tham driving workplace design at GroupGSA

Grace Tham is now associate director, working and learning, of GroupGSA’s national interior design team. Joining from Hassell,  Tham brings vast experience in transformative fitouts across the Asia-Pacific region. 

“It’s such an interesting time to be designing workplaces,” Tham says. “Globally, we’re asking deeper questions about what work means, and in turn, what our workspaces could – and should – be. We’re moving past a one-size-fits-all mindset toward environments that reflect diversity, adaptability and sustainability in far more considered, impactful ways.”

Grace Tham. Image: Richard Weinstein

JDA Co builds 15-strong team of heritage experts

David Gole is now principal of JDA Co, a Brisbane firm boasting some of the nation’s leading heritage experts. The team says it is poised to meet future demand driven by the 2032 Olympics and the growing interest in the upgrade of ageing building stock.

JDA Co founder and principal James Davidson and principal David Gole. Image: supplied.

AJC Architecture marks new chapter with senior appointments

Dua Green is taking the reins as chief executive officer at AJC. Green will work alongside Michael Heenan, who will continue as director, chair of the board and design lead. 

Green has played a pivotal role in reinforcing AJC’s position as a leading Sydney firm, particularly through her work in the education sector. 

Rodney Drayton has also joined the firm as chief operating officer. Over his 25-year career, his data-driven leadership style has steered high-performing, collaborative teams on public and private projects. 

“What drew me to AJC is the strength of its culture and purpose. There’s a real commitment to both design and people here. It’s a place where excellence and empathy go hand in hand,” Rodney says.

Rodney Drayton. Image: supplied.

Dua Green and Michael Heenan. Image: supplied.

A milestone for Hicks

David Hicks and his team are celebrating the 25th year of his eponymous design practice, Hicks. A true design powerhouse, Hicks has an admirable legacy of curating interiors that embody both architectural discipline and decorative richness. He believes design is about discipline as much as intuition. 

“You need to instinctively know when to push, when to edit, and when to let the architecture breathe,” Hicks says. “Over the years, I’ve learned that true luxury isn’t about excess – it’s about refinement, craftsmanship and creating spaces that people truly want to live in.”

David Hicks. Image: supplied. 

Read our May 2025 round up of architecture and design industry appointments here.