HASSELL recently announced new roles for 3 Board of Management members, heralding further expansion for the practice in Asia and Europe.
August 17th, 2011
Earlier this year Indesignlive.com spoke to HASSELL Managing Director Robert Backhouse about the firm’s growth, particularly in China and Southeast Asia following the opening of their Singapore office.
Last week it was announced that 3 members of HASSELL’s Board of Management have been appointed to new roles that will allow them to focus on the firm’s international growth and success.
Chairman of the Board Ken Maher will become Chairman of the HASSELL International Executive, with a special emphasis on guiding international development in China, Southeast Asia and, most recently, the UK, where the practice’s new London office will extend their capabilities into Europe and the Middle East.
“As Chairman of our new International Executive, my core focus will be to build on our design reputation and client relationships and unite our people together across geographic boundaries,” Maher explains.
“This also involves harnessing our collective international talent and bringing it to bear on projects at a local and international level.”
PTTEP, Bangkok, Thailand
On the catalysts that led to the creation of his new position, Maher said, “As a Board we have been developing our international strategy for several years. Our increasing international recognition through design awards and the expectations of our international clients have encouraged us to act to establish this new International Executive.”
Further consolidating the firm’s international focus is Shanghai-based Managing Director Asia, Peter Duncan, taking on the role of Chairman of the Management Board.
Duncan is the first non Australia-based Director to fill this role, which is emblematic of the practice’s strong presence in Asia.
“Our work in China now constitutes 20% of our work in total,” Duncan explains.
Deutsche Bank, Hong Kong
“Although historically HASSELL has been guided from its base in Australia, it is clear that a shift in emphasis is now required with a broader, more cohesive guiding hand taken by our leadership team.”
Duncan’s primary focus will be “to ensure a level of consistency in design excellence, across disciplines and geographic boundaries,” he says.
Radisson Suites, Bangkok Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand
“There will be a greater integration between all 13 studios [worldwide], with a sharing of design talent and resources across time zones. Not only will this promote design excellence, it will enable smarter, faster delivery of projects for our clients.”
Managing Director Robert Backhouse will continue his current role.
“My role largely remains the same,” Backhouse explains, “however, these are exciting times for HASSELL as key leaders from the Board step up to lead HASSELL into its next crucial stage of international development.
“Peter [Duncan]’s appointment in particular, from Managing Director of Asia to Chairman of the Management Board, is an acknowledgement of the increasing importance our studios in China are playing in helping guide our development.”
Top image: Harbin Taiping International Airport, Harbin, China
HASSELL
hassellstudio.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Junya Ishigami plays with perceptions of natural and human-designed structures with a sweeping slate canopy for the Serpentine Pavilion 2019.
Two colourful creations fit for fun interiors, available from Schiavello.
As the revolutionary Kartell by Laufen range arrives in Australia, Reece, Australia’s leading name in bathrooms, speaks to designer Roberto Palomba about the collection’s elemental origins, the design industry’s renewed focus on the bathroom space, and the role of emotion in design.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
We spoke with George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of W Hotels, about the intermingling of hotel and hospitality design trends.
A south coast escape that redefines hospitality architecture.