After more than 13 years with SJB, Tracy Xia has been promoted to Senior Associate – a milestone that reflects her long-standing contribution to the practice and her thoughtful approach to leadership, design, and delivery.

Known for her ability to balance architectural vision with the practical demands of complex projects, Xia has played a key role in shaping several major developments across Melbourne.

In this interview with Architecture & Design’s Clémence Carayol, Xia reflects on her professional journey and the evolution of her leadership style.

Architecture & Design: Congratulations on your promotion. What does stepping into the role of Senior Associate mean to you personally and professionally after more than 13 years with the practice?

Tracy Xia: Stepping into the Senior Associate role feels like a natural progression after being with SJB for 13 Years. And it’s also a moment to pause and reflect. Personally, it’s rewarding to be recognised by a studio I’ve grown with and contributed to over a long period of time. Professionally, it represents doing more of the same but also pushing myself further.

The focus will transition from primarily delivering projects, helping shape the way we work and mentoring others, to contributing to the broader growth of the practice. It’s an opportunity to give back to the studio that has invested in me and to play a more active role in the evolution of the practice.

How has your leadership style evolved over the years, and how do you see it shaping the way you support teams and deliver projects in your new role?

My leadership style has evolved from a hands-on, task-focused approach to one that places greater emphasis on trust, clarity and support.

Over time, I’ve learned that good outcomes come from empowering teams, listening, and creating an environment where people feel confident to contribute and challenge ideas. In this role, I see all of that translating into clearer direction, stronger collaboration across each project teams, and a focus on helping teams navigate complexity while maintaining a shared commitment to design quality.

You’ve contributed to several major developments across Melbourne. Which project has been most formative for you, and why?

No two projects are the same. Each project I have been part of has contributed to my growth in different ways. The most recent project- Caulfield Village Precinct 3 West is a large-scale, mixed-use BTR development in Melbourne.

The project demanded a careful balance between architectural ambition, commercial realities and stakeholder expectations. It reinforced the importance of communication, adaptability and consistency of architectural and urban planning vision with an accelerated construction timeframes which made managing relationships and maintaining design intent through delivery ever so important.

SJB has highlighted your balance of discipline and sensitivity in upholding architectural vision. How do you maintain design integrity while navigating the practical challenges of complex projects?

Maintaining design integrity requires both discipline and empathy. I believe it’s essential to clearly define the core architectural philosophy of SJB and ensure it remains a constant reference point throughout the project.

At the same time, practical challenges are inevitable, so it’s about being flexible without losing sight of what truly matters – pick your battles. We try our best to keep open dialogue with consultants, clients and builders, and on finding solutions that respect constraints while still reinforcing the underlying design intent. Afterall, we are all after the same thing – a well-designed, coordinated and well-built project that we all can be proud of!

Looking ahead, what are your key priorities as Senior Associate, and how do you hope to influence the studio’s culture and future direction?

My key priorities will be to continue delivering high-quality projects, support and mentor emerging leaders within the studio, and contribute positively to our collaborative culture.

Looking ahead, I hope to help strengthen SJB’s culture of thoughtful design, open discussion and collective responsibility, while supporting the studio as it adapts to the changing demands of the industry.

Image: Tracy Xia / SJB

Clémence Carayol

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