Hassell has announced appointments into its principal, senior associate, and associate groups across its nine global studios. 

Hassell managing director, Steve Coster said the new principals reflect the firm’s focus on bringing together both strategic intelligence and creative design. 

“This group of people have a broad and positive influence across Hassell, leading great projects, inspiring our teams, sharing their insights, and nurturing our relationships with clients,” says Coster. 

“Their promotions reflect each individual’s contribution toward designing the world’s best places – places people love. It recognises what they’ve achieved to date, but also our confidence in their significant contribution into the future. We look forward to continuing to invest in their development as leaders of our practice.”

“Empowering and developing talent from within our team is always a focus for us and we expect to announce further promotions within the year ahead.” 

To principal 

Carolyn Solley (Brisbane) has led a diverse portfolio of influential and creative projects from progressive boutique hospitality venues to global financial workplaces and retail master plans. Her vast and varied experience working in Asia and Australia allows her to draw on rich, cultural insights and experiences to share leading edge design thinking with beautiful results. 

Chris Lamborn (Melbourne) is an architect with over 25 years’ experience leading, designing and delivering complex, large-scale infrastructure projects throughout Australia and in the UK. From his work on the city-transforming Melbourne Metro project to his recent work on a series of critical level crossing removal projects, Chris focuses on delivering exceptional design, community and passenger experience outcomes and economic value. 

Jason Cuffe (Sydney) leads the Landscape Architecture team in Sydney, and has been with Hassell for over 10 years, his passion for creating places for people is enhanced through his collaborative and enthusiastic approach to design. His calling card as a landscape architect includes city-shaping, international developments such as Darling Harbour Public. Realm in Sydney and Park Avenue Central in Shanghai. But he’s just as committed to small, focused projects that revitalise local streets and communities.

Tulsi Grover (Singapore) is an interior designer with an extensive background in hospitality, F&B and premium residential design across Asia, Africa and Australia. In addition to overseeing prominent projects in the Asia region based in Singapore, he contributes to business strategy and design direction of the global practice. Tulsi’s work is always grounded in the most relevant and compelling evidence he can gather, he looks at how to harness technology, innovation and passive design strategies to create authentic and purposeful experiences. 

To senior associate 

Laura Vallentine (Sydney) is a skilled design professional with over 14 years’ experience in both the design and delivery of a broad range of projects internationally recognised for design excellence. Laura provides capability to program and manage project teams through all stages of project delivery, and demonstrates the knowledge and experience to procure quality project outcomes whilst prioritising successful client and stakeholder relationships. 

Sophie Bond (Perth) has worked across both architecture and interior architecture in Perth, Sydney, and London. She has a passion for ambitious projects that align design, cultural and commercial objectives to push boundaries, increase shared value and create richer, more meaningful places and enjoys finding simple solutions to complex problems and has earned a reputation for thinking both strategically and at a detail level, while still putting human experience at the centre. 

Alexander Sawicki (Melbourne) is an experienced design professional, with project experience in a broad range of complex and city-shaping projects. Over the last 10 years, he has taken leadership roles in both design and documentation for a number of highly technical projects, with a focus on educational facilities and infrastructure developments. He provides capability in program management and has managed project teams through the detailed stages of complex projects to achieve quality results. 

Hassell also promoted a number of people to the role of associate including Jill Turpin (Perth), Chris Free (Melbourne), Kanika Puri (Singapore), Mimi Cho (Perth), and Susie Quinton (Melbourne).

Hassell is a leading international design practice with studios in Asia, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Late last year, the firm completed its joint venture with OMA for the design of the WA Museum Boola Bardip at Perth’s Cultural Centre.