Gray Puksand has farewelled Partner Craig Saltmarsh and, looking ahead, is bolstering its leadership team with the appointment of a new Senior Associate and 17 key staff promotions across its four national studios.

These strategic changes are set to position the practice to deliver major projects across the commercial, education, workspace and health and science sectors in 2025.

Saltmarsh has played a pivotal role in driving the growth of both the Sydney studio and the broader Gray Puksand business through his expertise in stakeholder engagement and relationship building.

“My time at Gray Puksand has been incredibly rewarding. I take great pride in the work I have delivered and the many architecture and design professionals I have mentored over the last 25 years,” says Saltmarsh.

“Amongst many projects, a particular highlight has been completing the design for TAFE NSW Meadowbank Education Precinct project and acting as the Project Director during its delivery.

“The project is an exemplar of the future of skills training and was recognised for several industry awards from bodies including Learning Environments Australasia and Urban Development Institute of Australia.”

According to Gray Puksand’s National Managing Partner, Nik Tabain Saltmarsh has played a significant role in shaping the practice throughout his tenure.

“Craig and I have had the privilege of working together for over 25 years. Throughout this time, Craig has been a cornerstone in shaping Gray Puksand as an organisation—championing its values, design philosophy, and overall success. His unwavering dedication and hard work have left an indelible mark on Gray Puksand's journey,” Tabain says.

“Craig will be deeply missed, but we wholeheartedly wish him every success in his next chapter. Whatever path he chooses, we are confident he will bring the same dedication and intellectual rigour that has defined his contributions here.”

As Saltmarsh embarks on new opportunities, the leadership of the education sector in the Sydney studio will transition to Partner Barry Hackett and Senior Associate Holly De Jong in 2025.

Joining Gray Puksand’s Melbourne studio, Senior Associate Amanda Chan brings more than ten years of experience in health architecture and a robust knowledge of emerging sector trends gained from industry involvement and serving as Chair of the Health Architecture and Design Network.

A registered architect in Victoria, Chan has successfully led the delivery of highly complex projects for major healthcare providers, including the recent $1.1 billion redevelopment of Frankston Hospital and projects for Austin Health and Monash Health.

Her appointment strengthens Gray Puksand’s growing portfolio of projects in the health and science sector, advancing the practice’s mission to deliver transformative solutions for Australia’s healthcare landscape.

“Joining Gray Puksand’s Melbourne studio and contributing to its cutting-edge work in the health and science sector is a proud milestone in my career. This new role presents an opportunity to lead a talented team and continue designing spaces that have a meaningful impact on communities,” says Chan.

“My passion has always been creating healthcare environments that adapt to evolving functional needs while promoting wellbeing for patients, staff, and all users. I’m eager to bring this approach to Gray Puksand and am confident that my experience delivering complex projects with agility and rigour will contribute to the practice’s strong track record within the health and science sector.”

According to Tabain, Chan’s extensive experience in healthcare design and her innovative perspective shaped by industry engagement will enhance the practice’s capability to deliver forward-thinking solutions that meet the complex and evolving needs of these industries.

Alongside Amanda’s appointment, Gray Puksand also celebrates a series of staff promotions effective 1 January 2025 across its national studios, recognising the exceptional talent and vision that will fuel the next chapter of growth for the practice.

Phil Calleja (Melbourne) has been promoted to Senior Associate, while Cathy Chapman (Melbourne) and Anya McClelland (Sydney) have been appointed as Associates. Paulina Markos (Sydney) steps into the role of Project Lead.

Promotions to Senior Interior Designer include Bianca Toscano (Melbourne), Beatrice Laforce (Sydney), and Isobel Rashleigh (Sydney). Morgan Carse (Melbourne) and Zain Khan (Sydney) have been recognised as Senior Architectural Technicians, and Mark Bishop (Sydney) along with Prudence Tang (Sydney) have been promoted to Architectural Designers.

Interior Designer promotions include Tanya Gourgaud (Canberra), Chiara Vezzaro (Melbourne), Lydia Watt (Melbourne), Kylie Shandon (Melbourne), and Nina Baldwin (Sydney). Lastly, Anita Siiankoski (Brisbane) has been appointed as Marketing and Bids Manager.

Gray Puksand is set to deliver several flagship projects in 2025, including the $250 million Canberra Institute of Technology Woden Campus, TAFE QLD Eagle Farm’s Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre and a new workspace for the Delegation of the European Union to Australia in Canberra.

“2025 will be a pivotal year for Gray Puksand as we continue to expand our capabilities across diverse sectors and position ourselves to lead the way in shaping built environments for the future,” Tabain says.

“The upcoming leadership changes and staff promotions reflect our focus on strong succession planning and maintaining a culture where diverse perspectives lead to meaningful architectural outcomes.”

Image: Amanda Chan/supplied

Clémence Carayol

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