COX eyes the future with a newly created role, Carr and FK announce developments in their Brisbane expansions, Arup strengthens its First Nations leadership, plus more in this month’s round-up of industry appointments.

Christian Derix leads COX into the future in newly created role

Cox’s new head of futures and innovation, Christian Derix. Photo: Supplied.

Early in October, COX Architecture announced the appointment of Christian Derix as head of futures and innovation, a new role designed to support the Australian and New Zealand-based practice’s evolution.

With more than two decades of international experience at the intersection of architecture, computational design and spatial science, Derix brings a capability in both urbanism and design intelligence. His expertise spans global design practices and large-scale urban and infrastructure projects across Europe and the Middle East.

According to COX director and executive chair Patrick Ness, Derix’s appointment reflects the growing importance of technology and innovation in addressing challenges such as urban growth, climate resilience and “liveability”.

“This new role will help shape the future of our 60-plus-year legacy by embedding computational innovation into our people-first approach to city-shaping,” Ness says.

Derix is a global leader in computational design, having held visiting professorships at several European universities and completed a PhD on people-centric design computation. He is recognised for connecting human cognition with spatial and data analytics to advance computational design methodologies in architecture and urban design.

At COX, Derix will lead the embedding of data-driven spatial design across sectors, including sport, urban design and workplace, helping the practice to challenge design conventions and build futures strategies.

Richard Beel drives Carr’s expansion in Brisbane

Carr’s Brisbane leadership team. Photo: Alanna McTiernan.

Following the launch of a Brisbane studio for Melbourne-based architecture and interior design studio Carr, director Richard Beel has permanently relocated to Brisbane to lead the region.

He is supported by Carr’s local leadership team, including associates Cara McIntyre and Will Simpson, with the aim to expand the studio’s capabilities throughout southern Queensland.

“It’s an exciting time to contribute to the city’s evolution and ensure Carr’s design values are embedded in each project from the outset,” Beel says.

FK appoints new principal to growing Brisbane studio

FK’s new Brisbane-based principal Alex Ward. Photo: Supplied.

Also in Brisbane, multidisciplinary design practice FK appointed Alex Ward as principal in its studio as part of the practice’s strategic growth across South East Queensland.

Ward joins principal Jessica Lee in leading the Brisbane studio’s expansion from 10 to 25 staff over the next three years.

“The opportunities in Queensland’s built environment are exceptional, and joining FK represents the perfect collision of local relevance and global design,” Ward says. “I’ve long admired FK’s work, and this is a chance to contribute to Brisbane’s evolution to become a globally competitive city while working alongside a practice with 30 years of design excellence.”

New directors for HSPC Health Architects

HSPC Health Architects’ new directors Matthew Szymula and Stephen Sinclair. Photo: Supplied.

Melbourne-based HSPC Health Architects has appointed Stephen Sinclair and Matthew Szymula as directors after 14 years at the firm, serving as equity partners for the past five.

“Together with [managing director Chris Doufas] and Matt, I’m proud to help lead our driven and talented team, building on an amazing legacy of projects in health, seniors living and life sciences,” Sinclair says.

Woods Bagot reveals suite of promotions

Woods Bagot’s global sector leader for residential architecture Ana Sa. Photo: Supplied.

In October, Woods Bagot announced promotions across its global studio for this year.

Within the Australian region, Ana Sa, a principal in the practice’s Melbourne Studio, was appointed to global sector leader for residential architecture.

The firm’s new associate principals include Charl Testa (Perth), Emma Smith (Interiors, Adelaide), Waleed Moughraby (Adelaide), Wei Kiat Goh (Melbourne).

Adrian Reveruzzi (Adelaide), Carla De Francesco (Melbourne), Eric Roan (Melbourne), Jet Geaghan (Sydney), Lisa Peachey (Interiors, Sydney) and Sam de Jongh (Sydney) were also elevated to senior associates.

Fieldwork expands management team

 Fieldwork’s recent appointments. Photo: Ben Moynihan.

This week, multidisciplinary practice Fieldwork announced the promotions of Vlad Doudakliev, Stephanie McNamara and Bettina Robinson to associate directors and members of the management team, alongside the elevations of Mitchell Lind to senior architectural technician and Stuart Eaves to senior project leader.

According to Fieldwork, these promotions aim to support its growth in Melbourne and Adelaide across advisory, master planning, architecture and interior design services.

“Looking back at their respective contributions to projects and practice over their tenures, Vlad, Steph, Bettina, Mitch and Stuart have each made their mark and improved Fieldwork in unique ways,” director Ben Keck says. “We’re delighted to acknowledge their contributions with these thoroughly deserved promotions.”

Eve Clark to oversee Henning Larsen’s Australian business

Henning Larsen’s head of Australia Eve Clark. Photo: Bill Chen.

International design studio Henning Larsen has appointed Eve Clark to regional director – head of Australia in an effort to strengthen its architecture presence across the Asia-Pacific region.

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Henning Larsen has established a significant global presence, with studios across eight countries. Based in the Sydney studio, which opened in 2022, Clark will oversee the practice’s Australian business, supported by the firm’s Australian design director Thomas Hobbs. The studio blends Henning Larsen’s Danish design roots with a distinctly Australian perspective. “Our ambition is to bring world-class design that feels rooted in place,” managing director Jacob Kurek says.

Clark joins Henning Larsen with more than 25 years of experience across architecture, real estate investment, asset management and large-scale development.

Arup strengthens its First Nations leadership

Arup’s First Nations strategic design lead Shay McMahon and First Nations lead Melanie Grills. Photo: Arup.

Global built environment consultancy Arup has appointed experienced leader and proud Gomeroi woman Melanie Grills to the role of First Nations lead, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). In this role, ‘First Nations’ refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, and Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In her newly established position, Grills will oversee all First Nations workstreams across ANZ, including First Nations Project Services, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee Network, Arup’s Reconciliation Action Plan, and the firm’s Indigenous Procurement Strategy.

“I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve made in deepening relationships with First Nations communities and businesses, and in embedding cultural knowledge through our work,” Grills says. “This puts us in a strong position to further bolster these connections, foster true partnerships, and ensure Arup’s commitments continue to translate into meaningful outcomes.”

Arup also welcomed a new First Nations strategic design lead this month in Shay McMahon, a Yuin woman who has a decade of experience across architecture, urban design and planning, with a strong focus on Indigenous knowledge systems and participatory design. McMahon will support clients through Arup’s Designing with Country offering, leading design strategy across key projects, embedding Country-centred design thinking, and collaborating with Traditional Custodians and knowledge holders to shape environments that reflect and respect Aboriginal ways of living, cultural values and identity.

“These changes mark an important milestone in our reconciliation journey, recognising that First Nations leadership is not only central to our firm’s commitments, but is also an increasing priority for our people, clients and the communities we serve,” managing principal, ANZ Liam O’Donohue said.

BLP managing director honoured with Australian Health Design Council Gold Medal

BLP’s Tara Veldman, inaugural recipient of the AHDC Gold Medal Award. Photo: Tom Roe.

In other news, Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) managing director Tara Veldman has been named the inaugural recipient of the Australian Health Design Council (AHDC) Gold Medal. The AHDC Gold Medal recognises exemplary leadership and impactful contribution to healthcare design in Australia.

According to the judging committee, Veldman was honoured for her visionary leadership, compassion and commitment to excellence.

“Her leadership on major projects in Australia has set new benchmarks for care,” the committee said in a press release. “While her influence is strongest at the facility level, she also contributes as a thought leader and mentor, sharing knowledge and inspiring emerging designers, thereby shaping the future of healthcare design through both practice and professional development.”

Lead image supplied by COX.

Related: View last month’s round up of industry appointments here.