Located in Melbourne's CBD with panoramic city views, the new Level 41 workplace brings together HDR's architecture, engineering, and transportation teams in a single space designed to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and deliver integrated solutions for clients.

This strategic investment comes at a pivotal time as HDR continues to expand its operations and strengthen its commitment to Melbourne as a key hub for design, infrastructure, and innovation.

“This move marks a significant milestone for HDR in Melbourne,” says Clive Baker, Director of Planning and Design, Transport at HDR.

“After three years of laying a strong foundation, we’re ready to accelerate our growth and deepen our presence in this dynamic city. Co-locating our architecture and engineering teams is not only breaking down traditional silos between disciplines but already transforming HDR's project delivery across Melbourne.”

This enthusiasm is shared by Alison Potter, HDR’s newly appointed Design Principal.

“Our new Melbourne office embodies HDR’s design philosophy – creating spaces that inspire creativity, enable integrated thinking, and support meaningful design dialogue,” she says.

“With architects and engineers working side by side, we’re unlocking smarter, more agile approaches to problem-solving through our data-driven design capability and delivering innovative solutions that are deeply responsive to place, ecology and community.”

The state-of-the-art workspace features multiple collaboration zones, dedicated model-making areas, materials libraries, and design review spaces.

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of Melbourne's urban landscape, creating what team members describe as "a working map of the city" that connects HDR's work directly to the urban fabric and community it serves.

“Our strength lies in the genuine integration of architecture and engineering – not just in process, but in mindset,” says Kevin Miller, Director of Tech, Media, Telecom and Data at HDR.

“In data centre design, where spatial and technical requirements are deeply interwoven, our interdisciplinary teams are empowered to co-create, iterate and deliver complex infrastructure with greater agility and impact. This investment reinforces our long-term commitment to the sector – and signals that we’re here to stay.”

The office move aligns with findings from HDR's Melbourne workplace strategy, led by HDR’s Strategy and Briefing Specialist Cintia Mistro, which identified a central location, connection to nature, accessibility to transport, and spaces that support engagement and future growth as key priorities.

“This new space reflects our ambition – to lead with design that is collaborative, purposeful, and deeply responsive,” says Huai Lim, Architecture Managing Principal.

“By working side by side, we’re harnessing new creative potential and delivering projects that make a lasting impact, ultimately reinforcing our commitment to sustainable growth and confidence in our people, our projects, and the Victorian market.”

HDR’s Melbourne leadership team also comprises Computational Design Director Jeremy Graham and Senior Associates Sina Samiee and Simone Benvenuti, who serve as studio Co-Leads. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, the team has grown to 235 people across Australia.

“Our new Melbourne workplace is a key enabler of our strategy,” says Brendan Botha, Country Director of Operations.

“It strengthens our ability to respond to market demand and deliver even greater value to clients seeking integrated solutions across architecture, engineering, and infrastructure.”

Images: The HDR team in their new Naarm office / supplied

Clémence Carayol

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