Noreen Byrne: Championing people and sustainability
Who would expect a qualified geologist to thrive as a leader in people and culture at an interdisciplinary design practice? For Principal Noreen Byrne, it’s a natural evolution.
Knowledge
Plunder our brains and the brains of global experts in our Knowledge section. Find out the latest news, trends and ideas across every area of design thinking and practice including interiors, buildings, precincts and cities.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.