Hames Sharley shines at the PIA WA Awards for Planning Excellence
Our team shared a special night at the Planning Institute of Australia WA Awards for Planning Excellence last week, celebrating four project recognitions and the wonderful elevation of Hames Sharley founder William Hames to Fellow.
Derek Hays appointed Hames Sharley WA Studio Leader; Brook McGowan promoted to Head of Studios
Hames Sharley’s WA Studio is entering a new chapter, with Director Derek Hays stepping into the role of Studio Leader. The announcement follows the promotion of previous WA Studio Leader, Brook McGowan, to the position of Head of Studios.
Hames Sharley awarded Marrara Sports Masterplan Tender
The Northern Territory Government has awarded interdisciplinary design practice Hames Sharley the contract to draft a masterplan which will provide a roadmap for improved sporting infrastructure for Territorians, while establishing the Precinct as an iconic sporting facility for the Northern Territory.
Ilma Ali: Creativity with a purpose
For Ilma Ali, a fine artist and multi-disciplinary designer from Hames Sharley’s Darwin studio, design is embedded in her creative pursuits and has become a force for good that underpins significant moments in her life.
Back-to-back Russel Perry awards for Hames Sharley projects
Continuing a stellar track record at the UDIA WA Awards for Excellence
Principal of Interior Design Kate Hogan Gillies joins Hames Sharley’s Sydney Studio
Kate is an exceptional interior designer with over 20 years of industry experience delivering projects locally and internationally across all scales, predominantly in workplace design, most recently with Woods Bagot.
Fostering connection through disconnection
Workplace design in 2030
While the evolution of automation and AI technologies hint at a future that is distant and impersonal, how can we better design our workplaces to foster human connection and promote wellbeing?
Hames Sharley launches new studio in Canberra
Building on a legacy of enabling communities to flourish across Australia, Hames Sharley is proud to open its seventh studio – in the nation’s capital.
Towards a regenerative future
Our Research & Development team recently undertook a study to explore the power of regenerative design as it impacts our work, our industry and our future – it’s the next frontier of sustainability.
The journey towards Mandatory Climate Reporting: Are you ready?
In January 2025, the Australian Government’s long-awaited Mandatory Climate Reporting is due to be phased in for large Australian corporations and financial institutions - we are ready to work with clients on their sustainability journey.
Contributing to Community and Country as new Architects Without Frontiers Network Partner
Hames Sharley is proud to announce that it is Architects Without Frontiers’ (AWF) new Network Partner, joining its community of socially conscious Australian organisations. The announcement is an exciting step for the interdisciplinary design practice, which sees it draw on its strong national footprint to support AWF to continue delivering its humanitarian projects in a sustainable way.
Scotch College Purruna Spencer Newton Centre celebrated at the South Australian Architecture Awards
The new wellbeing and sports centre was honoured with an Award for Sustainable Architecture, as well as an esteemed named award, The Dr John Mayfield Award for Educational Architecture.
The NEXus of research and design
As designers of the built environment, it is essential that we keep learning and developing our understanding of society’s evolving needs. National Exchange (NEX) is Hames Sharley’s fortnightly webinar series that provides our architects and designers with direct access to speakers at the forefront of architectural research and thought leadership, empowering them to integrate new ideas and techniques into their practice.
TL Robertson Library Refurbishment honoured for sustainable architecture
The architectural community of Perth gathered for a night to remember at the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) WA Chapter Architecture Awards, as the state’s best designs were recognised and celebrated. The TL Robertson Library Refurbishment, by Hames Sharley and Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) Architects in Association, received an Award for Sustainable Architecture and an Educational Architecture Commendation.
Navigating Australian police station design with expertise and sensitivity
Modern police stations are integral to Australian communities. They are dynamic hubs encompassing diverse functions and spaces – far beyond simply law enforcement – with a design approach that is deeply collaborative at every level. But in the face of great change, how do we design the police stations of the future?
A stellar night for Hames Sharley at the AIA NT Awards
The architectural community in the Northern Territory came together on Saturday night for the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NT Chapter Architecture Awards, celebrating a shining year of design excellence in Australia’s top end.
Richard Morrell joins Hames Sharley as Principal
A bold and highly contextual design thinker, Richard Morrell joins Hames Sharley as a Principal in our Perth Studio.
Coming home: Celebrating Hames Sharley’s new Adelaide studio
Hames Sharley opened the doors of its new Adelaide Studio last week, welcoming over 150 guests from the built environment industry for a spirited housewarming to toast the start of a new chapter.
A monumental future for Knutsford site
Less than 2km from the lively centre of Fremantle, Monument East is designed to reimagine the previously industrial area of Knutsford as a mixed-use, medium-density residential community, taking advantage of its proximity to existing schools, parks, retail centres and other amenities.
Shifting the tide
Preparing our cities for rising sea levels
To better understand the impact of climate change, we recently investigated how different LGAs are approaching the imminent threats of Rising Sea Levels (RSL) and Rising Flooding, Coastal Erosion and Climate (RFCC) on our coastline morphology and communities.
Sensory-based design for our ageing population
We all deserve to age in comfort, and to feel supported within an inclusive environment. But the built environment can be challenging to navigate for those who are sensitive to environmental stimuli, such as those living with neurogenerative diseases – though it needn’t be. In research led by Talia Uylaki, we explored how sensory-based design can lead to better outcomes for people living with dementia.
Chris Maher named Fellow of Australian Institute of Architects
The WA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects came together last week to celebrate the launch of the ‘Work. Rest. Play.’ edition of their magazine The Architect. They also took the opportunity to honour the AIA’s latest Fellows, including Hames Sharley Director and Urban Development Portfolio Leader Chris Maher.
Today’s Library: More than just books
As physical collections have become less of a requirement for study and research, the core function of the library has broadened to become a hub – for students and academics, and increasingly the wider community.
East Newman Precinct Structure Plan recognised at PIA WA Awards
The East Newman Precinct Structure Plan (ENPSP) was recently recognised at the Planning Institute of Australia WA 2023 Awards for Planning Excellence for its collaborative and inclusive approach to working with Country.
414 Rokeby Road receives JDAP approval
Positioned at the Subiaco Activity Centre’s southern gateway, 414 Rokeby Road is a high-quality mixed-use development that will breathe new life into an underutilised street corner of one of Perth’s historic main streets.
Public realm: A matter of inclusion
Helping people navigate and understand how a place works involves careful consideration and planning to improve accessibility, orientation and connectivity, along with those intangible moments of magic that lift a space to cultural icon status visited the world over.
Hames Sharley promotes six team members to senior positions
National interdisciplinary design practice Hames Sharley has promoted six team members into senior architectural and interior design roles, acknowledging their continued growth as built environment professionals and as leaders among their peers.
Sarah Burton and Yaara Plaves recognised at NAWIC SA Awards
Hames Sharley Associate Director Yaara Plaves and Graduate of Architecture Sarah Burton were recognised at this year’s NAWIC SA Awards, a testament to the impact they are making both within Hames Sharley and the wider built environment industry.
The shape of water
How regenerative design can save our public pools and improve water safety
Australia is an urban coastal nation – we love the water and our well-known fascination with the beach and water is part of our cultural DNA. But despite the strong culture around water, recent figures reveal that drowning deaths are increasing. The infrastructure of public swimming pools is also fast approaching its use-by-date, meaning we’re falling short in meeting the contemporary and anticipated future needs of our communities. However, we believe design can help.
Perth Airport’s vibrant new neighbourhood centre
Convenience, accessibility and simplicity are at the heart of Hames Sharley’s design for the recently completed Dunreath Village, which provides thoughtfully planned amenity for locals, travellers and the broader Perth Airport community. Situated within the expanding Airport West precinct, the newly opened centre hosts anchor tenant Woolworths, Priceline Pharmacy and Sushi Hub, with a café and various pop-up vendors are poised to open later this year.
There’s no place like home: Sarah’s journey and finding a home in architecture
As a young child, Sarah experienced housing insecurity first-hand. She moved constantly with her loving family from a baby to young adulthood, moving into 15 different homes growing up in Adelaide. Every time she moved, Sarah would sit and draw the floorplan of her new home so she knew where to go and could start to feel at ease in her new surrounds. This started her path towards architecture, having experienced the criticality of a secure home, our sense of ‘place’ and the importance of our mental health as part of our life experiences.
Alex Quin appointed to Northern Territory Studio Leader
Hames Sharley Senior Associate Alex Quin has been appointed to the role of Northern Territory Studio Leader, bringing his passion for creating meaningful connections to place through his empathetic leadership style.
Hames Sharley awarded contract to revitalise Bundilla Beach
The City of Darwin has awarded Hames Sharley the contract to deliver a masterplan for the revitalisation of Bundilla Beach, with the aim of enhancing liveability to create a world-class tourist destination.
The designed environment
A neurotypical and neurodiverse perspective
Our wellbeing in the workplace is impacted by whether the built environment anticipates and meets our sensory needs.
What’s your ‘why’?
Q&A with Denise Harper
We recently caught up with Associate Denise Harper from our Brisbane studio who shares her passion for social justice and her role in advocating for everybody to access safe and inclusive spaces.
Curtin University Library completes five-year transformation
The transformation of the Curtin University TL Robertson Library is now fully realised, marking a significant milestone for one of the leading university's largest and most historic buildings.
Retail therapy: How retail is the ‘third space’
Generally, there are three elements to modern-day life – personal life, work life and lifestyle. Retail takes place firmly within the lifestyle element, becoming our ‘third space’ commodified as an experience rather than a product transaction.
How do we create spaces that elevate meaning?
Insights from Culture Bites
As design facilitators, we draw inspiration from the world around us. We believe that design outcomes are stronger when we all work together, giving everyone a voice rather than designing in isolation. By applying this thinking to the public realm, the outcomes can be better than anyone expected – fresh spaces for people to find, discover, nurture, take care of and grow. What can we learn from our experiences and how can our industry do this better?
Paying attention: How to beat the retail goldfish bowl
The key is starting with our understanding of the unique behavioural, cultural and psychological drivers we’re experiencing right now and how this may evolve in the future.
Rocky Bay Belmont gets the green light
Hames Sharley is delighted to share that Rocky Bay Belmont has received development approval, making way for a new world-leading community-integrated hub that will respond to the changing needs of people living with disability and neurodiversity in Western Australia.
Meet Hames Sharley’s latest Director: Janine Graves
As part of our recent series of promotions we were delighted to announce Janine Graves as our latest Director, a move that bolsters the company’s leadership across the eastern seaboard.
Madeleine Steele: Leading with a life-long vision
Highly regarded leader and local South Australian design professional, Madeleine Steele, has recently been appointed to lead Hames Sharley’s Adelaide studio, further cementing the organisation’s position locally as one of Australia’s leading multi-disciplinary design consultancies.
Hames Sharley celebrates internal talent with a series of promotions
We are proud today to announce a series of promotions, highlighting Hames Sharley's nation-wide stronghold of emerging and established leaders. “Moments like these are essential to our strategy and reaffirm our focus on being a future-thinking creative practice."
An explosion of activity-based retail is about to hit our shopping centres
As Australia ramps up to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, new and existing multi-city sports infrastructure will cater for athletes competing and millions of spectators watching on the world stage. But what will happen to these spaces afterwards? And how can we learn from them to create healthy and thriving communities for the future?
Laneways: Time + place + circumstance = opportunity
An urban activation case study
Our Research & Development team recently applied Gehl’s Twelve Quality Criteria approach to the modern-day challenge of activating laneways. In fact, to one in particular, near 92 William Street in Perth.
Reducing aggression in emergency department waiting rooms
We know that spaces can empower or disempower people. The tipping point is often how that space is designed.
Hames Sharley’s Research team recently discovered a potential link between aggressive behaviour in Emergency Departments and spatial design, paving the way for a re-think of how these spaces are designed for clinicians, patients, visitors and the broader community.
Connecting students with real world practice
Last night as part of Perth Design Week, Engineers Australia hosted a showcase celebrating the outcome of the first ‘Design Engineer Construct’ program piloted in Australia. Hames Sharley was among the industry practices that hosted students from Cecil Andrews College as they completed a holistic design brief for a recording studio and performing arts centre located in the recently redeveloped Subi-East precinct.
A catalyst for change: Celebrating the grand opening of ONE Subiaco
Last night marked the official opening of ONE Subiaco by Blackburne – a landmark project that has become a catalyst for the rejuvenation of the inner-city suburb.
The future of intensive care units
Researchers have recently completed a ground-breaking study that links Intensive Care Unit (ICU) noise levels and the potential for improved patient recovery and reduced post-care trauma.
Historic Curtin University Library opens its doors after $90M transformation
One of the country’s largest and most historic libraries has undergone a $90 million dollar transformation, with Hames Sharley and international partner Schmidt Hammer Lassen unveiling an innovative and considered people-centric design that charts a new path for major libraries in Australia and internationally.
Officially open: Scotch College Wellbeing & Sports Centre
Last night marked the much-awaited official opening of the Purruna Spencer Newton Centre; Scotch College’s new Wellbeing & Sports Centre. Hames Sharley, in conjunction with Scotch College, developed a very strong vision for the Centre – aspiring to ‘replace the old with the bold’ and seizing the opportunity to make a real connection between students, families and the broader community through the platform of wellbeing.
The future of emergency departments in Australia
By the time the design and construction of a new hospital is completed in Australia, it may already be outdated due to a lack of flexibility and the rapid development of technologies and services. Design and construction limitations were highlighted during the pandemic, with a pronounced shift from face-to-face services to remote telehealth services. While telehealth services continue to grow as important tools for providing care to our growing population, who knows what’s coming next?
A green light for the new heart of Nedlands
Hames Sharley is delighted to have been involved in the design of Nedlands Square development that received JDAP approval last week on behalf of our client Woolworths Group. The prominent site will be transformed into a dynamic town centre that will service the growing population of Nedlands, providing a full-line supermarket, specialty retail, a commercial office space and refurbishment of the iconic heritage-listed Captain Stirling Hotel.
Designing resilience against climate change
Without immediate action, people, the planet, and infrastructure will suffer the consequences of dying biodiversity, loss of habitat, rising global temperatures, rising sea levels, food shortages, catastrophic natural disasters (droughts, floods, bushfires, etc.), and we will see a new phenomenon in our modern world: climate refugees. Architecture and design firms can play a critical role in adapting our communities to climate change.
Electric vehicles in higher-density residential developments
Optimising shared carparking facilities through planning, design, and early engagement
The number of EVs linked into the grid will grow significantly over the next decade, which presents several key global challenges including meeting overall energy and power demands, developing ‘smart charging’ or vehicle-to-grid service from linked cars, and for designers; developing spaces designed with sufficient forethought surrounding flexibility and systems integration.
When mental health issues sneak up on you
Sometimes you don’t realise you’re not ok until someone asks
Mental health issues can hit you out of nowhere. It could be an ordinary day, doing something you’ve done a million times before and then… WHAM. Out of nowhere, a panic attack comes and knocks the wind right out of you. Rendering you unable to move. Unable to breathe. And you have no idea what’s happening, let alone why.
The significance of place
The Canberra Civic and Culture District
To cultivate a ‘sense of place’, communities must plan for physical environments that are uplifting and memorable, and that generate a unique sense of belonging. A community also fosters a ‘sense of place’ by recognising and valuing its natural surroundings, views, landmarks, and traditions.