Multidisciplinary design practice Hayball has announced its newest office in Canberra with Ella Masters appointed as the ACT studio lead.

Hayball’s newest office in Canberra marks the architectural practice’s fourth studio on the eastern seaboard.

After the completion of several projects in Canberra and with new projects underway, Hayball has appointed Ella Masters as the studio lead. She will be responsible for the practice’s regional strategy across a wide range of sectors, such as education, multi-residential and commercial.

Hayball co-managing principal Sarah Buckeridge says the studio’s “significant experience” in the region will be further expanded by establishing a local practice.

“The new studio is an opportunity to further develop partnerships that promote rigorous design solutions and directly high-quality projects. A local team will allow us to better service the Canberra market but also build connections with people and communities in the surrounding region,” says Buckeridge.

Masters has previously led her own design consultancy firm in the ACT and is a highly experienced sector leader. She has worked on complex education and placemaking projects, which complements Hayball’s reach in innovative learning environments and sustainable communities.

Hayball co-managing principal Tom Jordan adds that Masters “brings a breadth of local knowledge and expertise” that will be “invaluable to her leadership role in strengthening and steering Hayball’s studio presence in 2023 and beyond.”

On her appointment, Masters says she “recognises the strong alignment” with Hayball and her “personal approach to design”.

“I look forward to bringing a local presence to the ACT and cementing Hayball’s reputation in Canberra and the region as an exceptional design practice.”     

Prior to Hayball, Masters held senior positions in a number of local design practices and most recently led her own education design consultancy Howff Design.

She is currently undertaking a PhD in education and innovation policy through the University of Melbourne and is closely aligned with the Learning Environments Applied Research Network (LEaRN). She is the current Chair of the Learning Environments Australasia (LEA) ACT Chapter.

Photography supplied by Hayball.

Late last year, Hayball promoted nine people across Australia and gained a new principal in architect Richard Weinman.