HDR appoints a new managing principal, Yerrabingin continues along a growth trajectory, Jasmax announces team and studio expansions and more in this month’s round up of industry appointments.

HDR appoints a new managing principal

HDR managing principal of architecture Huai Lim. Photo: HDR

HDR has hired Huai Lim to take over from Cate Cowlishaw as managing principal of its Australian architecture practice, as Cowlishaw transitions into the newly created role of regional business development director.

With over 24 years of multidisciplinary experience across the health, science, defence, transport and civic sectors, Lim joins HDR from Arcadis where she was managing director of places. As HDR’s managing principal, Lim will oversee the continued strategic growth and evolution of the practice across its Australian studios.

“I am looking forward to being part of an employee-owned business driven by 13,000 people across the globe,” Lim says. 

Aboriginal-owned design studio Yerrabingin expands its team

Left to right: Yerrabingin project officers Mathew Ford and Marco Bulger and associate Kelsey Bonds-Carter. Photo: Jessica Lindsay

Yerrabingin, which provides services in designing with Country, landscape architecture and urban design, has welcomed an associate and three new project officers. The national practice has seen rapid growth since it was established in Sydney in 2018 due to demand for consultants who can embed principles of connecting with Country in the built environment.

Kelsey Bonds-Carter joins the Victorian team as an associate. Francisco Fisher joins as a project officer in Victoria, with Mathew Ford and Marco Bugler boosting the Sydney studio as project officers.

Bonds-Carter joins Yerrabingin with a strong background in project coordination and community engagement, including roles within Melbourne universities and at Winyama Digital Solutions. As a proud Yamatji and African American professional, Bonds-Carter is deeply committed to cultural collaboration, community advocacy and inclusive, culturally rich design. 

Fisher has extensive experience in the government sector as a designer, associate service designer and communications lead. His experience within the Victorian Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation also includes co-design work with Aboriginal communities.

Ford is a proud Aboriginal man and graduate of architecture with extensive experience in sustainable design, project management and stakeholder collaboration. 

Bugler holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science). His experience in design, architecture and landscape architecture includes collaborating on projects with First Nations communities. 

Jasmax announces senior appointments as Australian presence expands

Left to right: Jasmax CEO Matthew Glubb, principal Minnie Cade, board chair Karen Price and independent board director Leslie Butterfield. Photo: Jasmax

New Zealand-founded design practice Jasmax has appointed two Australian women to senior governance and leadership roles.

Minnie Cade joins as a principal in Jasmax’s Sydney studio, while Leslie Butterfield has been appointed as an independent board director.

Cade has over 25 years’ experience leading the masterplanning, design and delivery of major public and private projects, most recently as principal and project director at Wardle. Butterfield brings extensive business and governance expertise and knowledge in the property, infrastructure and technology sectors in Australia and the US.

The strategic appointments build on the momentum of Jasmax’s expansion into the Australian market. The practice opened a Sydney studio in 2022 and a studio in Melbourne followed in February 2025 with Jasmax absorbing Canvas Projects.

Plus Architecture opens Canberra studio

Plus Architecture Canberra studio lead Paul de Sailly. Photo: Gabriella Sukkar

Plus Architecture is similarly widening its design network across Australia, most recently establishing its eleventh studio.

The Canberra studio will be led by Paul De Sailly, who returns to his hometown after 20 years of working on significant projects across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and London.

The expansion aligns with Canberra’s evolution as a design-forward city, with the studio focusing on sustainable solutions that meet the ACT Government’s net zero emissions target while delivering across multiple sectors, including build-to-rent, hospitality and civic architecture.

“Canberra is experiencing an exciting period of growth and transformation, particularly with an influx of young professionals seeking both career opportunities and lifestyle benefits,” De Sailly says.

“The city now offers a sophisticated urban experience while maintaining its unique character as our nation’s capital. Having grown up here, I’ve witnessed this evolution firsthand and am excited to contribute to its next chapter through Plus Architecture’s design excellence.”

Milieu Creative rebrands as Statuo Group and celebrates 15 years

Fifteen years since it was established, Perth-based multidisciplinary design practice Milieu Creative has announced its evolution into Statuo Group, a vertically integrated business that unites a team of design, development and construction specialists as one. 

Previously operating as Milieu’s partner business, Statuo Group will now encompass Milieu Creative, with their teams working together to deliver a seamless end-to-end service. 

“At the heart of Statuo Group is our same founding vision, now strengthened by exceptional craftsmanship in built form to deliver timeless, intuitive spaces that shape the urban landscape,” group founder Davina Bester says.

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