Plus Architecture in regional expansion
Plus Architecture is expanding into three rapidly growing regional areas with new studios opening in Geelong, Hobart and Adelaide.
The opening of the new offices brings to 10 the number of Plus Architecture practices in Australia and New Zealand. The firm has previously undertaken several projects in all three regional cities.
Project architect Dominic Versace will lead the new Geelong Studio. He has worked in the firm’s Melbourne studio since 2017 and prior to that completed his architectural studies qualification at Geelong’s Deakin University.
Georgina Hall will lead the Hobart Studio. A Tasmanian native, she returns to Hobart after six years with Plus Architecture’s Perth Studio. She will work alongside director Ian Briggs. The new Hobart studio will focus on affordable housing, education and critical infrastructure design projects.
Senior associates Areej Hashmi-Weyman and Wayne Schiller will co-lead the new Adelaide office. Hashmi-Weyman was previously based in the firm’s Melbourne office before relocating to Adelaide in 2022. Schiller joined the firm that same year. Both Schiller and Hashmi Weyman have 20 years’ experience in urban design and architecture and will focus on healthcare, aged care, hospitality and education sector projects in South Australia.
New president for CIOB
The Chartered Institute of Building has appointed Sandi Rhys Jones as its incoming president. She took the reins from outgoing president Dr Michael Yam at the CIOB’s Members’ forum event in Liverpool, in the United Kingdom, on 26 June.
Rhys Jones began her career as a journalist for the construction, property and engineering industries before founding a management and marketing business. She was appointed OBE in 1998 for her work promoting women in construction. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, a Fellow of the Women’s Engineering Society and holds an MSc in Construction Law.
New managing partner for Urbis
Urbis has named urban strategist and futurist James Tuma as its new managing partner. He currently leads Future State, the strategic advisory business within Urbis. He has more than 25 years of strategy, design and advisory experience and besides Australia he has worked in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Tim Blythe, the outgoing managing partner, handed over to Tuma on 1 July. Among the city-shaping projects Blythe has led are developments at Circular Quay and Central Sydney.
Ethos Urban promotes two managers
Michael Rowe has been appointed regional director New South Wales at urban development consultancy Ethos Urban. Row has worked with the firm since 2006 and holds a degree in Planning from the University of New South Wales. He will lead the firm’s initiatives in the state and will work with newly appointed national director of strategy, sales and marketing Bernard Gallagher, who will be responsible for sector leads, marketing and bid teams and national strategic initiatives.
Minter Ellison partner appointed to global climate change body
Minter Ellison partner Sarah Barker, who heads the law firm’s climate change and sustainability practice, has been named the chair of a World Economic Forum climate governance body.
The Climate Governance Community of Experts (CGCoE) helps company boards integrate climate sustainability risks into corporate strategy. Barker is also a founding member of the Steering Committee of the Australian Chapter of World Economic Forum’s Climate Governance Initiative, hosted in Australia by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
The World Economic Forum officially launched CGCoE this week in London at Climate Action Week.
Lendlease names new European head
Lendlease has promoted Milan-based Andrea Ruckstuhl to head up its European business. He will take over from Neil Martin who was based in the London office.
Ruckstuhl is an 18-year veteran of the development and construction giant. The company did not say if he would relocate to London as part of the new role.