John McAslan + Partners has appointed Hamish Watt as a senior associate in its Sydney studio, building out the practice's senior design and management team with a figure whose national and international experience spans complex health, transport infrastructure, commercial and education projects.

Watt brings more than a decade of international practice to the role, having worked across the London, Shanghai and Sydney studios of Foster + Partners, followed by senior positions at two further leading Australian firms. At Foster + Partners in Sydney, he was responsible for the delivery of the 55-storey Salesforce Tower, Sydney's tallest office building, and Parkline Place, a 39-storey integrated station development directly above Gadigal metro station. Both projects have received multiple awards.

Most recently, Watt represented Denton Corker Marshall to oversee design finalisation and delivery of the $500 million Sydney Biomedical Accelerator for the University of Sydney and NSW Health. He also worked at Grimshaw, where he contributed to the F23 Administration Building for the University of Sydney, which received the AIA William E. Kemp Award for Educational Architecture.

That range of project experience, encompassing metro infrastructure, health, commercial towers and educational buildings, positions Watt as a direct contributor to John McAslan + Partners’ work across its core sectors. Troy Uleman, director and Sydney studio lead at John McAslan + Partners, says Watt’s combination of commercial and transport infrastructure expertise was a compelling fit. “Hamish has delivered impressive commercial projects around the world, and his experience on metro and integrated station developments is a natural fit for our practice,” says Uleman.

For Watt, the appeal of the role lay in the practice’s approach to design and its public-facing agenda. “John McAslan + Partners is known for thoughtful, high-quality architecture that delivers great public outcomes,” says Watt. “I enjoy the challenge and problem-solving that goes with complex projects and am looking forward to being part of a talented global team.”

Uleman also points to Watt’s demonstrated track record leading large, cross-disciplinary teams across international projects as central to the appointment. The Sydney studio is currently delivering work in several countries. “As part of a global design studio, the Sydney team is working on projects in several countries,” says Uleman. “Hamish has proven capability in leading large, cross-disciplinary teams internationally and understands the very specific demands of working in technically demanding environments. He will strengthen our capacity to service clients across all sectors, and we look forward to his contribution.”

In addition to his project work, Watt is an active member of the architectural profession and has taught and guest critiqued at various Sydney universities.

John McAslan + Partners is an internationally renowned architecture and design practice with a dedicated Australian studio. The practice works across transport infrastructure, culture, education, mixed-use, worship and landscape and is recognised as a world leader in adaptive reuse, working with civic, institutional and private clients across more than 30 countries with a focus on the public good. The practice has received more than 200 global awards for design excellence. Recently awarded Australian projects include the Sydney Central Metro Upgrade and Sydney Metro Waterloo Station, with international work spanning the Sloane Street masterplan and landscape in London and Belfast Central Station in Northern Ireland.

Image: Hamish Watt, senior associate, John McAslan + Partners Sydney studio. Photo: Jessica Lindsay

Hamish Watt joins John McAslan + Partners’ Sydney studio as senior associate

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