ASPECT Studios unveils new co-chief executive officers, the DIA announces its Hall of Fame for 2024, Carr appoints two new associate directors and more in this month’s round up of industry appointments.

ASPECT Studios announces new co-CEOs

Left to right: ASPECT Studios co-CEOs Valter Vieira and Adam Kiekebosch. Photo: ASPECT Studios

Early in February, ASPECT Studios announced that Adam Kiekebosch and Valter Vieira would come together as co-CEOs of the international design practice, which comprises landscape architects, urban designers, architects, wayfinding specialists, strategists and graphic designers.

Kiekebosch’s history with ASPECT includes former roles as infrastructure director, commercial director and regional director (Southern Hemisphere). Vieira was formerly an ASPECT studio director and regional studio director (Northern Hemisphere).

In an announcement on the studio’s website, ASPECT said the decision to move to a co-CEO model, with Kiekebosch based in the Southern Hemisphere and Vieira in the north, was done in part to signal that ASPECT’s growing presence outside of Australia is a focus for the business.

Carr celebrates two new associate directors

Left to right: Carr associate directors Bianca Dignan and Ben Nicholas. Portraits: Gavin Green.

Carr has been very busy with project and studio movements in recent times. This month, the Melbourne-based interior design and architecture practice announced the appointment of two associate directors within the residential interiors team.

The first is Bianca Dignan, who first joined Carr in 2021 as a senior interior designer.

Dignan brings expertise across the residential, hospitality and commercial sectors and has been a driving force behind Carr’s growing presence in Queensland.

Ben Nicholas joins her as a new associate director. With a background in architecture and interior design, Nicholas has nearly two decades of practice experience across both disciplines.

Plus Architecture announces many movements

Left to right: Plus Architecture’s Candice Ng, Gabriel Duque and Anthony Tai. Photos: supplied

Plus Architecture announced 10 new appointments across five of its Australian studios in February, including five in its senior leadership teams.

Candice Ng has been elevated from principal to director in the Melbourne studio. With 15 years of experience at Plus Architecture, Ng has worked across all project types, from mixed-use to commercial, hospitality, residential, masterplanning and student accommodation. 

In Sydney, where Plus Architecture is celebrating its tenth year of operation, Gabriel Duque has been appointed director in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the practice’s growth.

Left to right: Erin Warner and Paul Tseng. Photos: supplied

Plus Architecture’s Queensland studios have further strengthened their team. With more than 25 years of experience, Anthony Tai has been promoted from associate to principal. Paul Tseng joins as senior associate, bringing expertise in construction detailing and a focus on balancing aesthetics, cost, and constructability as the studios expand their work across major infrastructure and mixed-use developments.

The rapidly growing Perth studio has appointed Erin Warner as senior associate to lead the interior design team. With experience working across Australia in the workplace, government and health sectors, Erin will support the practice’s ongoing expansion into regional Western Australia across a range of community, education and government housing projects.

DIA announces Hall of Fame 2024

Woods Bagot’s global leader of workplace interiors, Kirsti Simpson, has been inducted into the 2024 Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame. Photo: supplied

The Design Institute of Australia (DIA), Australia’s peak national body for the design industry, announced the names of eight eminent Australian designers inducted into the DIA Hall of Fame for 2024. 

Induction into the DIA Hall of Fame signifies an outstanding body of work, contribution to the Australian design industry or achievement in advancing the design sector. This year, it spans the industrial, interior and graphic design disciplines.

The interior designers among them included Robyn Lindsey and Kirsti Simpson.

“Being recognised mid-career rather than at its conclusion is particularly meaningful,” Simpson says. “It gives me momentum to continue pushing boundaries in our profession, especially during this unique point in history for workplace design.”

Buchan Brisbane celebrates 40 years

Buchan director and principal Phil Schoutrop. Photo: Jes Lindsay

In other related industry news, the Brisbane studio of global architecture and design practice Buchan recently celebrated its 40-year anniversary and moving to a new studio.

Director and principal Phil Schoutrop says the milestone comes at an exciting time for the practice and for Queensland.  

“Brisbane and South East Queensland are undergoing a period of rapid growth. With the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, there’s a lot of attention on the opportunities here,” Schoutrop says.

View last month’s round up of industry appointments in architecture and design.