Hames Sharley has appointed Gavin Kain as director and Cross-Portfolio Design Lead, to further strengthen the multi-disciplinary practice’s leadership in 2022 and beyond.

As part of the company’s efforts to shape the strategic direction of the business as it grows and competes nationally, Gavin will facilitate inter-portfolio opportunities, strengthen its reputation for pioneering urban design-led, architectural design while further strengthening Hames Sharley’s East Coast presence.

“Gavin’s appointment signifies a new era of growth and further evolution for Hames Sharley,” says Caillin Howard, Managing Director. “He will help lead the team as we continue to innovate, explore new markets, and further expand our national presence.”

Time spent teaching abroad and completing several projects across Australia, New Zealand, and several other major cities worldwide have taught Gavin the importance of place, context and the subtle differences that impact design.

“Understanding and exploring the social, environmental, historical and geographic, and economic context of place excites me,” he says. “As does the idea that, as designers, we are here to help – to make life better. The big issues – social challenges, environmentalism, equity – are central to our work.”

Gavin has been part of the leadership and delivery of several global projects, including involvement in the Christchurch Blueprint team, the Adelaide Convention Centre, New Zealand International Convention Centre, CoEx Dubai, and his role as Government Advisor for ICC Sydney.

Aligned with Hames Sharley’s overarching purpose, Gavin is committed to enhancing the lives of Australian communities. He is passionate about creating places people want to be in, and says it is an exciting time to be an architect and urbanist, given the growing appreciation of the role cities and buildings are playing both environmentally and socially.

“COVID has seen many aspects of our lives that were taken for granted reconsidered. We see pop-up bike paths in the Sydney CBD, large numbers of people moving to new centres, and the nature of retail and work endlessly debated.” All of these, Gavin says, are issues designers have been considering for years and in which they are well-placed to play a leadership role.

“It is a pivotal moment for the profession and I’m deeply humbled and excited for the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the talented people across Hames Sharley’s studios.”