Australian Design Review’s regular round-up of appointments, promotions and other practice news in Australian architecture and design for July 2026.

Appointments

Arcadia

Arcadia has elevated nine people in its 2026 promotions. Ryan Lewis has been promoted to senior associate in recognition of his leadership across complex projects, ability to build trusted client relationships and ongoing contribution to the growth of the practice. Yiling Jiang, Saurabh Wagh and Benn Reason have each been promoted to associate, reflecting their increasing leadership, technical capability and project stewardship as they continue to deliver complex landscape architecture outcomes across their respective studios.

Jenny Wu, Lucian Lu, Jessica Robertson and Hugh Swann have been promoted to senior landscape architect, recognising the progression of their design expertise and project complexity. Sofia Espina has been promoted to landscape architect, acknowledging her continued professional development and contribution to project delivery.

“These promotions recognise not only technical excellence and leadership, but also the way each individual contributes to our culture and supports those around them. As our practice continues to grow across Australia and New Zealand, investing in our people remains central to delivering innovative, meaningful and enduring landscapes,” says Michael Barnett, managing director at Arcadia.

Buchan

Global architecture and design firm Buchan has appointed Laraine Sperling as its new CEO. Stepping up from her role as Chief Strategy Officer, Sperling will be the first woman to lead the firm in its 135-year history, heading up five studios across Australia and New Zealand. 

She has been instrumental in driving cultural change and transitioning the firm from a regionally managed business to a sector-focused model. A key achievement has been a brand refresh to reflect Buchan’s values and effectively communicate its strength in urban design and precincts. Sperling says she will continue to have a strong focus on building the firm’s profile, growing strategic alliances and client partnerships.  

“As one of the custodians of the Buchan brand, I am honoured by this appointment,” says Sperling. “I am excited to be leading the talented Buchan team into the next stage of our growth, ensuring that we continue to build our design culture while offering sound commercial outcomes for our clients. Their vision and the success of their projects comes first.”

Denton Corker Marshall (DCM)

DCM has announced three promotions in its Melbourne Studio. Alison Pedder, Fairlyn Wiyono and Milos Paunovic have been appointed as new associates, reflecting the studio’s continued growth and influence across major civic, transport, education and commercial projects.

“The success of our projects depends on talented and visionary people. These appointments recognise and celebrate Alison, Fairlyn and Milos for their leadership and creativity in shaping the future of our practice and the cities we work in,” says DCM director, Sonja Syre.

MCK Architects

MCK Architects has announced the appointment of Isabelle Orr as an associate.

MCK is a multi award-winning architecture practice based in Sydney, specialising in bespoke residential design with a focus on quality, detail and responses that are both contextual and client-specific. Orr is a valued member of the MCK team, leading a range of residential and heritage projects with a considered approach to design, technical resolution and collaboration. Known for her curiosity, care and commitment to quality, Orr brings a thoughtful and practical approach to every project. Her talent was recognised in 2024 when she was named as one of Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 architects and innovators of the built world. Reflecting on her associate appointment, Orr says, “I’m excited to continue contributing to the evolution of MCK and to work alongside such a talented team.

“I look forward to continuing to deliver beautiful, considered projects and championing MCK as an established design studio with a strong future ahead.”

MCK looks forward to Orr continuing to contribute to the studio’s work and supporting the ongoing evolution of the practice.

Tzannes

Architecture and design practice Tzannes has announced the promotion of Jason Goh to senior associate and George Stavropoulos to senior architect.

Tzannes director Amy Dowse says the promotions reflect the practice’s intent to build a strong foundation for the future. She acknowledges the significant contributions Goh and Stavropoulos have made to the studio through their dedication, leadership and design rigour.

“Tzannes’ design culture centres on the belief that the best architecture comes from working across all scales and types,” says Dowse. “Jason and George embody this, delivering design excellence whether crafting a single residence or a complex commercial tower.”

Warren and Mahoney (WAM) Sydney studio

Alex Wessling has joined WAM as a principal. She brings more than two decades of experience delivering complex projects across the defence, education, health and mixed-use sectors. Most recently a director at HDR, Wessling has built a distinguished career on her reputation for seamlessly guiding projects from concept design through to construction. In Australia, she has made a significant mark across the higher education and defence sectors, with projects ranging from the internationally recognised Western Sydney University Bankstown City Campus and the landmark Factory of the Future to major defence and health infrastructure. Other notable projects include Australian Defence Force accommodation in Darwin and the University of Canberra Public Hospital.

Sarah Slattery has joined WAM as associate principal, bringing deep expertise in the sports and community sectors developed across Australia and the US. Most recently the studio lead – design at AJC Architects, Slattery has led a range of complex, socially significant projects, including the Galuwa Recreation Centre in partnership with Lane Cove Council.

Watson Young Architects

Watson Young Architects has made several promotions across its Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney and Perth offices, recognising the hard work and growth behind each achievement.

Jack Hesse and Shane Augustynowicz have been promoted to senior project leader; Leila Lorenz has been promoted to interior designer; Chloe Jin, Kimberly Leonard, Mikayla James and Richard Honey have been elevated to project leads; and Sam Crough and Ethan Speccio have become documenters.

Within the architecture team, several team members have become registered architects. These include Briony McKenzie, Maryanne Waiting, Paaniz Hosseini and Kaylyne Yeoh.

Studio news

TURNER hosts fourth luncheon for women in the built environment

Leading Sydney architecture and design practice TURNER is facilitating vital new connections for women working in the built environment at its annual luncheons. Now in its fourth rendition, the event brought together over 35 women designers, architects, developers, project managers and other skilled professionals from various career stages.

Hosted by TURNER with Essence Project Management and McKenzie Group Consulting, the informal luncheon provided a supportive environment for like-minded women to connect and share advice on careers, on-site challenges and issues around ageism.

SHoP Architects and BVN

Designed by SHoP Architects and BVN Architecture, the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower has topped out in Sydney. Reaching its full height of over 180 metres, Atlassian Central was designed for co-owners Atlassian and Dexus, and delivered by BUILT in a joint venture with Obayashi Corporation.

“Achieving this milestone has been both demanding and rewarding, only made possible through constant design innovation and collaboration across the whole project team,” says Peter Titmuss, principal at BVN. “Hybrid mass timber has done more than reduce embodied carbon, it has fundamentally shaped how tower buildings can be delivered, enabling prefabrication, dry construction and a faster, lighter vertical build. As a prototype for mass-timber towers of the future, this is a moment of global significance.”

“It’s particularly rewarding to begin experiencing the spatial qualities of a high-rise that reimagines a natural habitat within an urban tower – connecting people to each other, nature and to the city around them,” adds Andreia Teixeira, associate principal at SHoP. “We’re excited by how this concept sets a new benchmark for sustainability, where timber, landscape and natural ventilation come together to shape a more holistic work-life experience and inspire future innovation.”

Other news

The Queensland State Government has selected three architects to design the new National Aquatic Centre at Centenary Pool ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane. ARM Architecture, NH Architecture and Queensland-based Arkhefield will design the Olympic pavilion, which is expected to have up to 25,000 seats during the Games and a legacy capacity of 8000 seats. The works also involve the restoration of the heritage-listed Centenary Pool complex. See the renders on the development website.

To have your latest appointments and studio news considered for inclusion in the monthly round-up, please email ausdesignreview@niche.com.au.