Australian Design Review’s regular round-up of appointments, promotions and other practice news in Australian architecture and design for October 2026.

Appointments

Arcadia

Expanding its footprint into the Sunshine Coast, Arcadia has opened a new studio in Maroochydore. Leading the studio is Jamie Franklin, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects with more than 30 years’ experience. He most recently led major place-making projects for Sunshine Coast Council, including the $100 million Mooloolaba Placemaking Master Plan and Foreshore Revitalisation, and the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre, currently underway for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He’s joined by associate landscape architect Katrina Duncan, who brings over 13 years’ experience across health, education, public realm, corrections and infrastructure projects. “I’ve spent my career championing a place-based approach that puts community at the heart of the built environment, and I’m excited to bring that thinking to Arcadia,” says Franklin.

Bates Smart

Architecture and interior design practice Bates Smart has appointed four new studio directors across its Sydney and Melbourne studios, to help guide the firm’s next chapter of citymaking design. Nicole Coutts, Mary MacKillop, Peter Ohnrich and Lucy Sutton have each been promoted to the role, bringing a combined 75 years of experience to the firm’s leadership.

Managing director Philip Vivian says the appointments are a recognition of the profound impact they have had on the practice and the significant role they will play in its future.

“Nicole, Mary, Peter, and Lucy have helped shape Bates Smart through their dedication, leadership and contribution over many years,” Vivian says. “They bring a diversity of strengths and perspectives, united by a shared belief in creating places that make a meaningful contribution to the life and transformation of our cities”

Grimshaw Architects

Grimshaw Architects has appointed Syndey-based transport sector leader Katarzyna Jurkiewicz as new partner.

With over 20 years’ experience, Jurkiewicz is a highly competent design leader with a diverse portfolio spanning multiple sectors and project typologies. With special expertise in complex transport infrastructure, Jurkiewicz has played a key role in shaping Grimshaw’s rail and infrastructure portfolio, embedding transport projects with strategies for resilience and sustainability.

TURNER

TURNER has announced over 20 promotions at its Sydney HQ during its 25th anniversary year. In total, 23 TURNER employees have been promoted across the practice.

Twelve newly minted senior designers, three senior project designers, as well as two project designers and a project architect are among the team members to have recently accepted promotions.

TURNER also acknowledged more senior team members, with Martin Petru stepping up to senior associate, design strategist. Meanwhile, Tony Stodart has been promoted to associate director, technical lead. Georgia Crawley, Erin Douglas (née Martin)and Victor Torroglosa have also taken up the roles of associates.

VIA Architects

Luke Bonham has been appointed director and has joined VIA Architects’ ownership, with the practice now led by four principals: Frank Bambino, Mark Allan, Luke Bonham and Thomas Mitton.

The change comes as VIA continues to grow across mission critical, seniors living, aged care and multi-residential. Bonham has led the expansion of the studio’s data centre portfolio, including work across NEXTDC’s M2 and M3 Melbourne campuses.

“Luke has been instrumental in building our mission critical capability and strengthening our position in the data centre sector,” says VIA managing director Frank Bambina. “His move into ownership adds further depth to the leadership team and brings that specialist experience into the broader direction of the studio.”

Woods Bagot

Woods Bagot has announced its 2026 elevations, promoting 45 people across 10 global studios – plus five at ERA-co, part of the 7C Network.

New associate principals are Elene Ma AIA, Leed Ap (Hong Kong), Hugh Thomson (Sydney), Jordan Schumacher (Sydney), Leonie Weiss (Sydney), Marco Bonucci (Dubai) and Stan Dorin (New York). Promoted to senior associates are Daniel Weaver (New York), Esper del Corro (Dubai), Julia Farleigh (Sydney), Melissa Williams (California), Pei-Lin Chen (Sydney), Phoebe Settle (Melbourne) and William Yuan (Melbourne). “Through their dedication, collaboration and commitment to our shared values, this year’s elevations have made meaningful contributions to our clients, communities and teams across our global studio network,” says Woods Bagot CEO Sarah Kay. “These promotions recognise not only what has been achieved, but the leadership, potential and influence these individuals will bring to our future.”

News

Carr

After more than 20 years in Flinders Lane in the Melbourne CBC, Carr will be relocating to 303 Collins Street in early 2027. The studio says, “The move marks an important new chapter for our practice, with a particularly meaningful connection to the building itself. Carr is currently leading a significant revitalisation of the landmark Collins Street commercial building, reimagining its arrival, shared spaces and broader experience for the future. We will now become part of that story, with our new workplace occupying the top floor.”

GlobeWest

The Australian owned furniture and homewares design company has announced an international expansion. Led by its Melbourne-based Product and Design team, GlobeWest will bring its Australian design perspective to the US, opening its first showroom outside Australia in Los Angeles in early 2027, with collections spanning indoor and outdoor living, dining, storage, bedroom and office.

MHNDU

Principal at MHNDU, Brian Meyerson has been awarded Fellowship with the Australian Institute of Architects. Meyerson has practised architecture for more than four decades across South Africa and Australia and has been a registered architect in Australia since 1986. He founded Brian Meyerson Architects in 1997, which evolved into MHNDU in 2013. Alongside his work in practice, Meyerson has contributed to the profession through architectural education, mentorship, design advocacy and advisory roles. His involvement has included serving on the Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Practice Committee, teaching within the Institute’s PALS registration program, participating in NSW Architecture Awards juries, and appointments to design review and design excellence advisory panels. The Fellowship recognises a sustained contribution to architectural practice and the wider profession, spanning design leadership, professional education and the development of emerging practitioners.

Populous

Canberra Airport has announced that Populous will undertake concept design and feasibility work for the proposed world-class, all-event stadium in Canberra’s city centre. Populous is regarded as a world leading stadium architecture practice, having designed some of the most iconic sporting and entertainment venues globally. The firm specialises in creating stadiums and arenas that deliver exceptional fan experiences through innovative design, technology integration, acoustics, sustainability and community-focused
precinct planning. Populous Senior Principal Al Baxter said the firm was genuinely excited to be working with Canberra Airport to explore the potential of the city stadium concept.

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring our global experience… to Canberra and explore how a new stadium could respond to the city, its climate and the needs of its community. I have a personal connection to Canberra, having been born there, and we look forward to working with Canberra Airport to test the concept to help shape a distinctive, flexible and sustainable venue for the nation’s capital,”says Populous senior principal Al Baxter.

In more Populous news, the studio along with Fentress Studios is behind Australia’s first mass timber terminal, with the product now being installed at Sunshine Coast’s new Airport. Populous chose timber to cut the building’s construction footprint and to give the terminal a warmth and character that reflects the Sunshine Coast’s natural setting. It works with natural light, high-performance glazing and sweeping runway views to create a calm, open space rather than a typical terminal. The $170 million project almost doubles the terminal to 11,750 square metres and triples the departure lounge to 3750 square metres, with completion in 2027.

ReLove

Co-founder of ReLove Ben Stammer has been named as one of three finalists for The Fred Hollows Foundation’s 2026 Humanitarian of the Year, recognising the impact ReLove is having on families rebuilding their lives after domestic violence, homelessness and other crises. The overall winner will be announced at the Fred & Humanity Awards ceremony on Wednesday 11 November, at the University of Sydney,

Opportunities

Melbourne Design Week

Applications have opened to present events, talks, exhibitions, workshops and more in the 11th iteration of the annual event, with its theme, ‘Design the World You Want’. Since it launched 10 years ago, Melbourne Design Week has created a national platform for designers to share their work and ideas. Designers, studios and collectives are invited to submit their ideas for the 2027 festival’s program, including the Melbourne Art Book Fair.

In 2027, Melbourne Design Week is seeking applications exploring how design can foster community, collaboration and care; Australian-designed and locally made work; and international collaborations and networks, particularly across the Indo-Pacific. Applications are also sought for projects that explore how the tools of design are changing – including design made with or about AI, robotics, digital fabrication or projects that challenge or respond to this shift. Submissions are also sought from projects that treat design as a partner to the living world, including through bio-design and biomaterials, regenerative practices, and work that supports biodiversity or repairs our relationship with nature. Applications for Melbourne Design Week are open until 12pm Friday 13 November 2026, and applications for Melbourne Art Book Fair are open until 12pm Tuesday 1 December 2026.

Top image: Members of the newly promoted TURNER team. Photo: Edwin Tung.