People

As Hayball expands into new markets throughout Australasia, Tom champions the importance of supporting clients competitively and creatively. His key interests are in architecture and urban design, and the commercial acumen with which he leads the practice infuse Tom’s strategic and design leadership of large scale architectural and urban renewal projects.

Tom invests in understanding the full breadth of a client’s business objectives, whatever that business is, and regards this as integral to a holistic approach for the thoughtful and sophisticated design outcomes he sets the standard for.

“Distilling all sorts of competing interests and turning that into a creative response is no mean feat, there’s no room for complacency. Design takes planning, tactics and strategy, too, and it’s our job to make sure all the parts line up. It’s a fantastic feeling to create good design, to make a positive difference in how people experience a place or space.”

He’s always wanted to be an architect, and continues to be excited by the profession’s capacity and responsibility to create outstanding places. In advocating for architecture’s contribution to urbanisation and the public realm, Tom has served as a chapter councillor and on award juries for the Australian Institute of Architects, and on design review panels for state government.

With a deep understanding of residential planning and design from more than 35 years’ experience, Len’s encyclopaedic knowledge of residential markets remains central to our value as designers today.

Before forming Hayball in 1983, Len was the managing director of Gunn Hayball Architects, a firm renowned for the design of innovative housing across a variety of densities and dwelling types. In the 1990s he was at the forefront of the rise of interest in Melbourne’s inner city housing, when former industrial buildings were earmarked as potential housing sites, and projects such as the Riverside Apartments foreshadowed inner urban renewal and significant changes in housing trends.

Len has also been pivotal in shaping the ongoing commercial viability of the practice. He spearheaded Hayball’s employee share ownership scheme, aimed at boosting the firm’s resilience during tough economic times, and has been a mentor to many at different points in their careers.

“I’ve always enjoyed collaboration and relationships where there’s a confidence in each other. It’s important that our collective expertise is passed on to others, giving people opportunities to develop as individuals and to contribute to our culture of quality professional service.”

Richard has always had a great respect for teachers. The seeds of an architectural career were first planted by his grade-five teacher. “I still remember him talking about architecture and, from that point, there was nothing else I was interested in pursuing.”

The learning experience of thousands of school kids is all the richer for it. With over 30 years’ experience in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Richard’s expertise in helping schools integrate modern education philosophies into the design of new educational facilities is unsurpassed.

Providing design leadership to support contemporary models of learning, Richard champions collaborative and research-driven design, and regularly collaborates with leading education design specialists. A Past Chair of Learning Environments Australasia (A4LE), whose mission is to improve the places where people learn, Richard continues to be actively engaged with the association at regional and international level.

Richard believes that schools, like architecture, are about providing value and service to both students and a broader society. He thrives on innovation such as Victoria’s first vertical school, South Melbourne Primary, where the focus is firmly on creating a high quality space that can be shared with the community so that the school is fully embedded in neighbourhood life.

An accomplished and influential communicator, Sarah’s passion lies in advocating at all levels for great design and successful places.

With her interest in exploring the future form of our cities, Sarah is at the forefront of the feasibility and design of large-scale residential and mixed use developments, and leads urban design and major renewal projects including the masterplanning of new communities.

“Architecture is a profession that requires both creative and strategic thinking. I get a lot of enjoyment in finding ways to embed real value in projects by designing well-crafted architecture which is commercially viable and marketable, and which also has those elements that will bring delight and functionality to the people who inhabit and use those spaces.”

Her scope of influence extends to broader industry and government where she has helped shape planning policy through successful negotiation and advocacy, and her expertise is regularly sought for government advisory panels and strategic urban projects.

Within Hayball, Sarah’s mentorship and championing of workplace diversity and flexibility are advancing the professional opportunities and development of our staff. Her investment in Hayball’s organisational structure and culture ensures that our people are valued and supported as they develop their careers.

With experience across a variety of projects from shopping centres to aged care facilities, stadiums and sporting complexes through to bespoke homes, Luc is a driving force in the success of the firm’s technically demanding institutional and large-scale residential projects. Formative years in the construction industry forged a strong understanding of how to practically apply the theoretical and it’s this that makes Luc’s contribution to projects invaluable.

For Luc, a project’s success hinges on a holistic approach ensuring the uncompromised essence of the original design vision. Achieving the robust and sculptural design within budget constraints, the award-winning redevelopment of Carlton’s Canada Hotel into student accommodation remains one of his proudest.

“Client satisfaction, adherence to budget and achieving positive outcomes are critical. It’s always a balancing act, but good design is always at the heart of the process.”

Currently running multi-residential projects in Melbourne and Brisbane, Luc is also responsible for the practice’s internationally-certified quality management system. And he exemplifies our practice ethos, honouring the generosity of colleagues, in their time and sharing of knowledge and experience.

“At Hayball, a project is never about one person. It’s always a team effort.”

David’s early education was influenced by four engineers in the family but it was architecture that beckoned, allowing creative expression to combine with acute analytical skills and a lifelong passion for making and constructing things. It’s with these attributes that David leads sustainability and construction innovation across Hayball’s design platform. He’s also heavily invested in Hayball’s design culture, distinguished for its methodical and highly collaborative, research-based enquiry.

David’s deep expertise is across an uncommon diversity of projects which extends across urban design, civic buildings, schools, universities and multi-residential student housing.

“Projects where we’re transferring knowledge and research across typologies, these are what I’m fundamentally attracted to, and where projects – largely because of their complexity, but also because of new procurement models – demand a highly coordinated and integrated approach, I’m very good that.”

A clear and influential communicator, David is highly adept at assimilating multiple viewpoints to distill what will provide the most benefit to end users. He leads cross-disciplinary teams in the delivery of projects involving complex governance and stakeholders, including the award winning Library at the Dock (with Clare Design) and La Trobe University’s Eastern Campus Redevelopment.

As a child in Hong Kong fascinated by the models in her architect uncle’s design firm, Ann was hooked early on architecture. With an abiding interest in how design quality at every scale can shape and enhance human relationships, Ann is a versatile designer who loves nothing more than pushing the boundaries of traditional typologies with dynamic and integrated solutions.

“I’m very interested in hybridisation, where buildings are not fixed to a single use but reflect the diversity of how our cities work, allowing them to function for the future.”

Working from within, she is also heavily invested in Hayball’s design culture and the structure of an entire project team to draw out the best from our people. Teaching design and leading design studios over many years instilled the fundamental importance of how we work – it’s a structured, disciplined approach that underpins technically exquisite and confidently executed design.

“Clients work with us because they know we listen deeply, that we’re interested in uncovering commercial opportunities and in intelligently shaping our built environment. Interpreting a client’s ambition and turning it into something much more than feasible alone – seeking a long term legacy, I enjoy that immensely.”

Tapped on the shoulder when he won the Australian Institute of Architects’ student prize for outstanding design work, Eugene joined us a graduate. Exemplifying the support for career progression at Hayball, he’s now a Director playing a pivotal role in the early stages of new projects, where his ability to swiftly uncover a site’s possibilities dovetails with his strong design talent.

Born in Singapore, Eugene speaks Mandarin which he learned at school. It’s a skill that helps him to work directly and comfortably with international clients, whose needs he understands well from his cross cultural experiences.

“The Australian property landscape can be challenging for a lot of foreign developers and investors. They’re trying to get their heads around what works and what doesn’t work. They’re also becoming more creative and to me it’s very exciting to work together to find the point of difference that will set their development apart.”

Eugene distils design, commercial planning and technical information and makes it readily clear, working with clients in a continual dialogue throughout all stages of a development. The conversation can go late into the night, and often over a whisky.

“The question that excites me most is, ‘what could it be?’”

“Above all, I’m energised by the collaborative process, where ideas come together and make something quite special.”

Bianca leads Hayball Interiors – a team dedicated to designing elegant and marketable schemes that stand the test of time. Having worked as an architect for developers in integrated design and development, she has an acute business acumen and relishes the challenge of balancing requisite time and cost restraints with quality design outcomes.

Turning a concept into reality and for it to be more than just a building is one of her greatest satisfactions. Human-centred design, liveability, beauty – these are her primary considerations in making spaces feel as good as they look. Her experience across all phases of the architectural process is invaluable; she understands an entire building and how everything fits together.

A natural communicator, Bianca invests in lasting relationships for ongoing client-designer collaborations, with a deeply held creed to understand clients well to know what’s suitable for their projects. She approaches each new project with an involved briefing process and remains dedicated to a project’s needs as it unfolds, faithful to the end.

“For me there tend to be two types of leaders in architecture: those who are singular in their work ethic and creative vision, and those who in the same way bring excellent design skills, leadership and technical knowledge but also look to collaborate and nurture the best in others. I honestly believe there is no right or wrong in either approach, but I consider myself to be one of the latter.”

With a natural affinity for managing large and complex projects, David is an accomplished project leader. He plays a pivotal role in client liaison and skilfully leads projects and teams with a communicative approach that is clear, organised and collaborative. He is passionate about driving innovative solutions which add value and create better outcomes for all stakeholders.

David has a keen interest in materiality with a focus on the use of timeless natural materials which he combines with an ordered approach to spatial planning and a high degree of technical understanding of how to design and make buildings.

“A project’s success is not only about great design, it’s also about knowing the figures and knowing how to combine both into simple solutions.”

Fiona is an architect and researcher in the field of learning environments. She has previously worked as an exhibition designer within leading cultural institutions including the Museum of Arts and Applied Sciences (MAAS), the Australian Museum and the Museum of Wellington City and Sea in New Zealand. Fiona is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne researching learning environments, and a Studio Director at Hayball in Sydney where her focus is on schools and GLAM sector projects (galleries, libraries, archives and museums). Core to her role is enhancing learning opportunities through design, and interpreting and bridging understanding between educators and architectural teams.

Fiona has extensive experience in workshop planning and facilitation, briefing and master planning. She has successfully developed and facilitated the community consultation process for multiple projects, and engaged leadership teams, staff, students and the broader community in the design process.

Fiona is a past Chair of the NSW Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments and has held various roles within the organisation at chapter, regional and global levels.

“I’m always contemplating the lived human experience and bringing it to the forefront of architectural and urban design. It inspires what I call ‘creativity with purpose’.”

David’s design talent and management potential were recognised since he first joined Hayball as a graduate. After several years honing his skills overseas, he returned to take up a leadership role in Melbourne prior to his current appointment at the helm of our Brisbane office. With expertise in large scale multi-residential, hospitality and mixed-use projects, he skilfully manages design teams and complex stakeholder interests to provide outcomes that are creative, intuitive and value conscious.

David designs projects that respond to their context, taking inspiration from and responding to their climate, surroundings, history, and site conditions. He is also excited by design thinking that enables a project to reach beyond its immediate location and influence its surroundings and the architectural conversation in a broader context.

When it comes to Hayball’s design ethos, David is an enthusiastic advocate and contributor. His holistic leadership style is key to achieving the truly collaborative conversation that exists between studios and within project teams. Whether it’s a design workshop, special project or competition, David works closely with design leaders to strategically drive and promote initiatives across Hayball’s design processes and culture.

“There’s an energy generated between colleagues when we’re drawing and resolving a design. Crafting beautiful forms and spaces, exploring new technologies, and bringing unknown possibilities to the design is always very exciting.”

Thomas is an accomplished project leader who has led projects ranging in value up to $3 billion and across sectors including masterplanning, mixed use, retail and multi-residential. He is at the forefront of the ‘next generation’ of student housing, characterised by a shift that sharpens the focus on spaces for students to connect with each other and be supported by social interaction.

Thomas began his professional life working on bespoke homes – formative projects where detail and precision were imperatives. Having honed those skills on large scale multi-residential projects in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, Thomas helps steer Hayball’s pioneering investigation of material systems and environmental analysis using digital and prefabricated technologies such as CLT (cross laminated timber).

“I’m fascinated by materiality, especially the depth and character of timber and concrete. On houses, my relationship to the materials is very personal. On large projects I still get to play with materials but on a very different scale.”

With BIM Manager Rob Marcen, super complex digital tools are manipulated to reach a high level of design resolution and quality for hundreds of apartment homes.

“That’s my attraction to multi-residential work, to instil that level of individual care and personal detail to each dwelling.”

“I love the refined simplicity of an idea discovered and distilled through a rigorous design process.”

Graham treasures the breadth and scope of experience that have opened to him through architecture. From the early days of his career, he embraced the challenges and opportunities to meet and learn from so many people, to stretch himself, to be creative, and to rethink conventions. Graham’s area of special expertise is within the field of education design, and his passion for the ever-evolving pedagogical landscape, master planning, libraries, and re-lifing projects is unparalleled.

Founded on his ability to listen, a deep love of collaborative design, and an enthusiasm for holistically sustainable ideas, Graham’s approach reflects Hayball’s commitment to innovative design solutions, technical expertise, strong client relations and industry leadership. Graham drives the discovery process that fuses pedagogical aspirations with architecture to collectively deliver new teaching experiences and assist clients in the transition to learner-centred environments that emphasise learning rather than teaching.

Greatly respected for his ability to truly understand a client’s needs and aspirations. Endlessly fascinated by the culture and context of projects and how best value can be realised, he relishes constructively challenging convention and developing narratives and designs of deep meaning.

In the studio, Graham is a generous mentor, culture-focused and inclusive. His knack for invigorating others with genuine enthusiasm actively champions a collaborative mindset and inspires design thinking, knowledge-sharing and connection.

“I tend to think of myself as a facilitator of excellent design. I’m a firm believer in surrounding myself with talented people to harness the energy that collaborative creativity generates.”

An appetite for good architecture runs through Harry’s veins. He was only four years old when he drew his first floor-plan and elevation, and by seven he was helping his architect father build project models, back when balsa wood and cardboard were as close to virtual building modelling as one could get…

Harry has been an enthusiastic member of the Architectural industry for more than two decades and has worked on both sides of the construction contract; project managing built work for contractors as well as leading large architectural teams in design, documentation and administration of landmark projects across residential and educational sectors. Harnessing the practice’s large-scale delivery expertise and combining it with a refined knowledge of contemporary education design, Harry is instrumental in leading major programs and multiple-site projects.

Generosity of knowledge and managing professional development is something Harry believes is paramount to a healthy practice and fostering strong relationships. He provides leadership across strategic resourcing and facilitates our professional mentoring strategy to support and promote excellence in project management and delivery to achieve exemplary design.

With an intrepid spirit and strengths in management and executive leadership, architect Liza Ringdahl is the senior education leader in our Brisbane studio.

A motivated achiever, Liza has been a Telstra Women in Business Awards finalist and received numerous accolades for achievements in the construction industry, including the NAWIC Laing O’Rourke Crystal Vision Award in 2015. (She’s also classically trained in ballet and as a pianist to concert standard!)

Liza applies research and neuro-scientific principles in her passionate exploration of design to influence learning and working experiences. Her interest in neuroscience and the cognitive benefits associated with a ‘sense of place’ adds exceptional value to workplace design, and education design for improved learning outcomes.

“It’s clear that employers are keen for individuals with advanced problem-solving skills, quality communication skills, and entrepreneurial spirit. It’s incredible how influential the field of educational architecture can be, providing settings for rich learning experiences to nurture this development.”

One of Liza’s most important values is working collaboratively.

“The collective mind is more powerful than the single mind. Both in my design leadership, and as a people leader, I focus on helping people to get along, feel valued and trusted. Happy people are usually more productive and creative.”

Hayball has a long involvement in innovative and finely crafted architecture that is sustainable to site and place, bearing the mark of Rob’s contribution to design direction over many years. And while his experience spans an immense variety of projects, housing is what he’s drawn to.

“I enjoy unravelling the complex and often difficult issues not only about the provision of diverse housing typologies, but also affordability, construction costs and the implementation process. Housing isn’t just about looking at buildings. It’s about establishing models that respond to the needs of a population, both now and well into the future.”

A passionate contributor on issues involving the shape and direction of the urban environment, Rob is a keen advocate for design culture and the architectural profession. He has served on numerous government and professional bodies and is a past president of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects.

A committed humanitarian, Rob has participated in international missions assisting post-disaster reconstruction of devastated infrastructure and communities, and led Hayball’s pro bono project for Architects Without Frontiers, the Maningrida Welcome Precinct.

Tammy is a vital contributor to the finance and management teams. Trained in architecture, and highly experienced in finance management, her strength lies in the resolution of business imperatives with other aspects of architectural practice.

Through the efficient use of comprehensive accounting systems and utilisation reporting, Tammy has spearheaded strategies to increase efficiency and create a disciplined and professional business environment.

Drawing on the years spent in her former role as Finance Manager, Tammy now works closely with business manager Cameron Frazer, the directors and project leaders to ensure that the financial aspects of a project work. From the assessment of fee proposals and consultancy agreements to the definition of project scope and programs, Tammy’s focus is the alignment of project budgets with the costs of skilled resources.

Working closely with practice manager Tammy Tzlanlis, Cameron’s focus is on improving Hayball’s ‘single studio’ operational efficiency to support the practice’s national growth and expansion into new markets.

“Administrative operations are the backbone of our business and as the practice continues to grow we need to make sure our systems, processes and infrastructure are in line with the increasing complexity of delivering professional services.”

Himself a registered architect, Cameron’s professional life diversified when he followed a path into infrastructure management, launching a career in executive leadership roles across the commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors. He combines his built environment background with stakeholder, people, finance, management and strategic thinking skills, and leads for impact and positive change.

“I pursue outcomes born from a questioning and commercial mindset. The questioning sharpens my understanding; the commercial sharpens the business outcomes. And to apply that in a creative space is very exciting. I understand the immense responsibilities that sit with our directors, and my role creates capacity for theirs as architects.”

Anthony’s experience in the building industry and architectural profession spans more than 25 years. His expertise lies in the technical detailing of large-scale and complex projects, and it is because of this that he is often “parachuted in” to work on challenging projects.

Technical detail driven by design-led thinking is his passion. With a strong focus on technical performance, Anthony coordinates large multidisciplinary teams to bring a building to fruition. Most recently he led the delivery of Carey Grammar School’s new Centre for Learning & Innovation.

With that same sharp eye and plain speaking aplomb, he is also responsible for implementing Hayball’s ISO-certified Quality Management System. With an emphasis on client satisfaction, the system ensures quality in project and service delivery across Hayball’s design platform.

Before completing his architectural degree, Anthony worked in the building industry for several years and studied building technology. The experience is invaluable in developing rapport with builders and troubleshooting on construction sites – “I speak their lingo and I can see their predicaments with a sympathetic eye. Good relationships and collaborative problem solving are keys to successful building development.”

What’s buildable? How can we deliver that? In boundary-pushing design, Rob’s technology skills make all the difference.

“I give designers options when approaching design problems, and help tackle problems with tools and methods – because it’s not one size fits all. I love working with large teams on complex projects, bending the software and looking for the best outcome by thinking of different approaches.”

Rob is a specialist in BIM documentation and delivery. Coming from a tech-savvy family (his father was an ‘early adopter’ and pioneer of Australian electronic engineering), technology and IT are in his blood. And with equally strong interests in fine art and scientific endeavours, architecture is where his interests can converge.

Rob was instrumental in developing our Revit platform for optimal architectural application and as BIM Manager he directs the processes and management of BIM models throughout the office. He is a skilled architect with vast project delivery experience in a number of market sectors including multi-residential, education, retail and hospitality – it’s the combination of Rob’s detailed knowledge of the entire architectural process and technical dexterity that enables such a rich understanding of modelling requirements to efficiently produce a project’s deliverables.

Inspired by an article on education design by director Richard Leonard, Owen joined Hayball to pursue what has become his area of expertise in education masterplanning and design.

Education is a dynamic sector, subject to constant evolutionary change, and Owen thrives on the ongoing challenges that architects and education designers need to keep up with. Driving every project is his abiding interest in understanding how people relate to one another in a learning environment – and supporting those exchanges and interactions through design.

“Those exchanges and interactions really are at the heart of learning. I’m excited about unexpected outcomes – design solutions that meet our clients’ objectives but in exciting ways they may not have envisaged, because we speak their language and make sure we have a deep understanding of their pedagogy and needs.”

Renowned for the strategic planning and coordination of major education projects, Owen is an accomplished manager of complex consultant teams and diverse stakeholder groups. He is currently the senior project leader on South Melbourne Primary School, delivering a new model for a multi-level inner urban school integrating shared school and community facilities in Australia’s largest urban renewal precinct.

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A senior interior designer with a signature ability to ‘lift the lid’, Miranda deftly uncovers a project’s real needs and objectives. The skill is in listening and observing for a deep level of understanding about what’s actually important, and translating abstract ideas into original interiors schemes with tangible benefits.

“Experience counts for a lot and in our process we make it work hard. Knowledge and precedent get us to a particular point rather quickly, which liberates you to really start exploring the unique aspects. This is the place where creativity has its opening, it’s not just repeating what you’ve done before.”

Energised by its social value, collaborative opportunities and the varied nature of her work, Miranda specialises in workplace interior design and education settings – early learning, primary and secondary through to universities. Notable for the shift towards activity based design, continual change and design challenges are part of the appeal.

“We desire to have things be as beautiful and robust as they can be but designing can be imperfect and messy. A lot of what we do is iterative, it’s to’ing and fro’ing in a continual conversation to expand the scope of what’s possible. It’s fantastic.”

Specialising in large urbanism, regeneration and masterplanning schemes, Rennie thrives on creating public places that surprise and delight. Typically, as on the Studio Nine Redevelopment Masterplan and University of Canberra Urban Plan, he gets involved early to establish design direction to achieve great place making opportunities.

Originally from London, it was during his early career on various English and European projects that he developed his curiosity for the spaces between buildings, where urban activation can be intensified.

“I’m excited by cities and their differences, culturally and socially. I’ve always enjoyed trying to understand what makes a good city and what makes a bad city.”

Rennie has developed an academic career in conjunction with practice and since 2005 has led design studios at the University of Melbourne. With a foot firmly in both teaching and practice, he is well connected to contemporary ideas affecting Australian urbanism and architecture, particularly those grounded in research.

Combining knowledge and passion, Rennie’s mastery of collaborative design produces unique outcomes that could arise nowhere else. This often means a departure from what a client knows, and one made with confidence because the design limits have been tested and the opportunities distilled.

Double degrees in Architecture and Property and Construction laid the foundations for a professional career steeped in knowledge of commercial construction systems, and expertise in delivering buildings where design excellence and commercial success go hand in hand.

Integrity infuses everything James does, who works with clients and consultants across all phases including development of design and detailing, through to delivery. His approach is simply to be fair and use every opportunity to improve a project’s design.

“Part of producing the best possible drawings and documentation is being reasonable in their interpretation with the builder. It comes down to advocacy for the project and advocacy for design through that part of the design process which continues through into construction.”

As a project architect, he flourishes with the challenge of taking an arbitrary idea and translating it into a buildable design. His ultimate satisfaction is the execution of a building on site, and he’s particularly proud of the award winning Canada Hotel Redevelopment for student accommodation, the Community Hub at the Dock and the 55-storey MY80 apartment tower in Melbourne’s CBD.

“I’m quite tenacious when it comes to problem solving, testing and retesting to resolve design issues. And as much as we challenge conventional and technical boundaries we are adept at working within the framework of both the client brief and statutory guidelines and controls. To create designs that respond to those and to a range of other factors, well I actually relish those challenges because what emerges is clever design – it can be unexpected, and exceptional. It’s very satisfying.”

Andrew is an accomplished project leader with an array of experience on education, master planning, mixed-use and residential projects. With excellent design skills matched by in-depth technical knowledge of building techniques and materials, his strong interests in high rise design and prefabricated building components find expression in projects such as the 62-storey Empire Apartments.

Signalled by his enjoyment at school of design and technology, wood technology and metal work subjects, he always had a sense a creative career was for him. He thrives on building good working relationships in a collaborative environment with his team, clients, stakeholders and consultants to set projects up for success.

Accomplished in both design and delivery, Yuyuen takes project leadership to another level with consummate communication of design thinking and quality relationships with clients and consultants. A keen collaborator, she enjoys using a range of tools – hand sketches, 2D and 3D diagrams, visualisation and physical models – to explore a design idea and carry it through.

Yuyuen was lured to Hayball by our work in student accommodation and an office culture which is connected and supportive. Since joining us nearly 10 years ago, her talent and adventurous spirit have catapulted her across a range of projects: from schools, the masterplanning of town centres and large scale urban developments, medium to large scale residential projects, through to mixed-use community buildings – most recently the Community Hub at the Dock in Melbourne’s Docklands.

Yuyuen loves nothing more than to push the design edges in a crossover of typology.

“I bring knowledge from one sector and apply it to another. The challenge is to see a project with fresh eyes, and work with clients to find the balance between understanding their aspirations and guiding them through the possibilities for a good design outcome.”

“Working it, and working it and working it until it works.”

The prospect of producing compelling design that excels in every way and does everything it has to do, internally and externally, is what sustains David’s enjoyment in architecture.

Having worked as a design manager for developers, as a developer himself and in architectural practice, David’s experience from different standpoints results in a keen appreciation of balancing project cost with high quality outcomes. His insight to commercial issues and the drivers from other parts of the development business gives him a unique understanding of how design can optimise other aspects of business such as sales and marketing.

He gets involved in a project’s early stages; much more than a site’s feasibility, David tests how well it can be made to work, making his contribution to projects invaluable. His strong belief in the value of an ‘inside out’ design approach means he keeps the people he’s designing for at the heart of the process.

“In human-centred, integrated design, the external form of the building is a servant to the internal function. When we get the inside right the building’s expressive exterior will become obvious.”

The rapid advancement of science, technology and culture. The unexpected collision of ideas. These are what inspire Alex, a talented, forward-thinking designer whose signature is a willingness to bring fresh thinking to every aspect of practice. Unbiased by convention and with an aversion to taking the path of least resistance, what he’s very good at is the visual communication of design ideas, sketching and the rapid iteration of ideas in a rigorous pursuit of a successful concept.

It’s the job of good design to make people’s lives better but it doesn’t just appear – it’s a creative struggle to balance the constraints of budget, conditions and expectations which, for Alex, are all part of architecture’s attraction.

“Getting projects to work is about serving a broad mix of people and their interests, it takes mindful, sophisticated integration. I’m good at listening earnestly and constructively engaging everyone to question orthodoxy – all of those voices can have influence on the design process and ultimately the outcome.”

Embracing new technologies and tools that help manage the complexity of constructability and project delivery, Alex spearheads Hayball’s research and uptake of new software. With Rennie Liffen, he facilities a monthly staff forum exploring esoteric architectural questions. Ever the provocateur.

Originally from London, Angela’s study and professional registration with the Architectural Association (UK) reflects a disposition for dynamic thinking, and an ability to investigate, communicate and disseminate architectural ideas and projects.

Exposure to design as a child by parents who “did a lot of home extensions” laid the foundations for a successful career in architecture. With international experience and a strong business, design and construction skill set, Angela leads design and consultant teams on education, residential and aged care projects.

Education projects are particularly rewarding – and singularly challenging. It’s important to make sure the right people are involved, the right user groups and, fundamentally, to get the education briefing right.

“Children thriving in the spaces we create is so fulfilling. It’s important to physically experience how schools use their spaces to imagine how they can be used differently.”

In translating ideas into actual design, Angela brings clients on the design journey and pays attention to every query. Her quest is to unpick the challenges, and work through the reasoning behind every design decision or intent. She is currently leading three dedicated teams on education projects in Western Sydney and Wollongong.

Delivering education buildings where design excellence and economic mindfulness go hand in hand, Paris is an accomplished project leader. His approach to his work and relationships is calm and considered, and his commitment to a client’s experience is nothing short of passionate.

Early studies in sociology, anthropology and history instilled an appreciation of cultural difference and relationship to environment. Paris also grew up in an architect-designed home, enjoyed art and drawing. When he travelled and lived abroad, the threads inevitably came together – he wanted to make a difference, and architecture became his path.

Working across both design and delivery Paris is emotionally connected to every project, going the extra mile to tease out a school’s needs and understand the language of their way of thinking.

“There’s something very humbling about education work. Taking the time to bring clients along the design journey is crucial if they are to truly own the outcome. I really believe that intelligent and efficient design makes a difference in how kids learn and grow, it’s what excites me every day.”

He says he’s learning all the time, and shares his knowledge and enthusiasm with up and coming talent in Hayball’s mentoring program.

“Continually testing, evaluating and reinterpreting, my role is to shape clever design solutions that are both purposeful and robust to adapt with the changing education landscape.”

As she develops further as a project leader in the education sector, Marissa is excited more and more by the strategic side of design, and relishes negotiating the many drivers to be mediated in achieving a coherent result.

A genuine, straight talking and down-to-earth approach is Marissa’s signature style. Working closely with clients to fundamentally understand who they are, how they work and what they want, she thrives on working across all phases of a project where the end-to-end involvement affords the development of strong, trusting relationships.

“I’m truly excited by the fact that what we do can make a real difference in the lives of the students and their learning. I want to make sure that both students’ and teachers’ objectives are at the forefront of every decision, and that everyone in the room gets it.”

Marissa’s always been a designer – a maker, a crafter. Architecture is where her creativity comes together with considered thinking, problem solving – the pragmatic part of achieving strongly resolved, constructed outcomes.

It’s one thing to visualise a design, and something else to make that reality. As an architect who bridges the two, Robert Mosca combines a strong sense of design, strategic thinking, attention to detail, clear communication and interpersonal skills in professional relationships.

Hayball architects stay on the job until a building opens, designing their way out of the issues that inevitably arise during construction. With a strong work ethic, Robert has always enjoyed the challenge of a problem – big and small – and logically working through it to resolution. In design, he has a perpetual appreciation of how the careful consideration of a space can make a difference to how people use and enjoy it.

“It’s what I do at, any scale – from the big picture right down to the detail of putting something together. I love that minor, barely-noticed quality of details can subconsciously change the way someone experiences a space.”

His is the thirst of a problem solver, quenched by collaborative investigation and the transformation of an idea into a tangible result.

“We’re constantly challenged by external forces, be they budget, expectations or politics. Pushing the design to retain the qualities we intended for it, connecting with builders, understanding cost implications and working with people – that’s the kind of challenge I enjoy.”

Trained as an architect, Geoff is energised by the constructed complexity that surrounds our lives. He also has a diploma in music and knows that skipping a beat can spoil an otherwise great composition. It’s about a disciplined process as much as the finished product.

Geoff works closely with business manager Cameron Frazer and senior associate and quality manager Anthony Apolloni on tools that help our designers maximise time on design development and quality. To that end, he is developing an innovative framework to efficiently manage our client, contractual and legislative obligations, such as the increasing demands of Work Health and Safety.

“As QM Leader, I want people to be happy with their work processes and excited about their creative opportunities at the same time”.

The beneficiaries will always be the client and the community.