ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects has announced three new Senior Associates and two new Associates to strengthen its national leadership team.

The newly appointed Senior Associates are Oswaldo Marcelo in Sydney and Kesha Chakhvorostov and Bill Barakia in Melbourne. The new Associates are Sartika Soendoko and Beth Ram. Collectively, they bring more than 80 years’ experience in retail, mixed use and educational design.

Team promotions image landscape JPG (1).jpg — Image supplied

These latest appointments reflect a big year of transformation across the practice. ClarkeHopkinsClarke recently launched a Brisbane studio, led by Associates Sarah Jury and Ben Whelan.

The newly elevated pair brings a combined 25+ years of local knowledge and diverse experience nationally and internationally including residential, retail, commercial, civic, hospitality and seniors living and care projects.

A BCorp with a strong focus on community architecture, ClarkeHopkinsClarke also unveiled three new sectors in recent months: Cities+ Precincts, Community + Culture and Retail + Hospitality.

Managing Partner James Kelly says they evolved out of Mixed Use and Urban Design teams. “The new groups better reflect our specialties in this space and the varied scales of our projects,” he says.

Partner Dean Landy and recently elevated Associate Partner, Gaston Nogues, lead the Cities + Precincts team – one of Australia’s leading designers of sustainable town centres and dynamic urban villages.

“Our masterplanning approach is also helping shape the design of four sustainable new cities in Africa, in close collaboration with teams of local experts,” Landy says. “It’s exciting to see our human-centred design and innovative approach to urbanism resonating internationally.”

Partner Ngaio Chalmers and Associate – First Nations Lead James Gilliland (Yorta Yorta) lead the new Community + Culture team. They bring a shared focus on engaging deeply with communities and co-designing wherever possible.

“We want to craft spaces together, where communities can feel connected, engaged and thrive,” Chalmers says.

The new Retail + Hospitality sector is led by Partners Jordan Curran and Teddy Chung. Their focus, too, involves creating enduring value for communities.

“Whether we’re transforming heritage buildings or designing the crucial first stages of new neighbourhoods in growth areas, we’re integrating spaces and experiences that attract diverse users at all hours, helping places to thrive,” Chung says.

Lauren Bell was recently elevated to the role of Associate Partner. She leads the evolution of ClarkeHopkinsClark’s Seniors Living + Care and Residential sectors in NSW with a strong focus on co-located retirement communities that deliver both housing diversity and meaningful social connection.

“I design with purpose, and for me that purpose is people,” Bell says.

Kelly reflects that the past 12 months have been big year of growth and change for ClarkeHopkinsClarke.

“Deepening our leadership structure across all our studios allows us to continue building our impact nationally,” he says. “Huge congratulations to all our new senior leaders. Their talents and passions are shaping our next chapter as a practice.”

Image: The promoted team members / supplied

Clémence Carayol

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