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!
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
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.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Queen & Collins is officially open for business. This historic Gothic bank precinct reimagines what workplace, retail and hospitality can be.
The ‘Polar’ and ‘Scribble’ collections from Tacchini, Italy represent timeless design.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Swiss home appliance designer and manufacturer V-ZUG’s first Sydney studio is a unified expression of the brand’s boutique, sustainable and design-led identity.
Leading the field in terms of ergonomics, this high-end office furniture from Buro is also designed with the evolving needs of the modern workplace in mind.