Melbourne-based architecture and interior design practice, Carr has announced a new leadership structure that will take the firm forward with a clear vision for the future.

The studio, which was founded in 1971 by Sue Carr, is celebrating 50 years of practice this year. In this milestone year, the announcement is expected to open up new pathways for leadership talent while the practice continues to evolve to meet the challenges of a changing market.

Having guided the business to great success, Sue Carr will remain as founding principal, with a continued focus on nurturing future talent and design direction. The studio will adopt a shared leadership model with Nick Carr as CEO and Chris McCue as managing director, leading the design streams of the business.

Commenting on the new leadership structure, Sue Carr said: “I see this as an evolution of Carr and fully trust that with both Nick and Chris leading, our studio will continue to grow. They each bring a unique skill set and each embodies the Carr philosophy.”

Having worked across the full spectrum of commercial roles as a director over the past 20 years, Nick Carr will utilise his intimate insight of the business to oversee the strategic and operational side of the studio.

“The foundation of our success is the direct result of Sue’s visionary leadership and our shared and unwavering commitment to design excellence,” he said.

“I believe the strength of Carr is that we don’t always take the easy road – in design and in business. We are committed to doing things differently and staying true to our design philosophy and these principles will continue into the future.

“I see my role as one that will balance the dynamic nature of business and design,” he added.

Chris McCue brings over 20 years of experience to his new role, having worked as an architect across all scales and typologies, both in Australia and overseas. Now a director at Carr, McCue has worked in partnership with Sue for the last 10 years, driving the design principles of the studio, and honing a strong sensibility and appreciation for the relationship between interior and exterior.

He has been successfully spearheading the expansion of the architecture and residential interiors portfolio across the practice, which has seen significant growth under his direction.

On his vision for Carr’s future, McCue said, “We have established a strong reputation for creating work that has a timeless built outcome, and that responds to a client’s brief in terms of design and commerciality. We’ve assembled a strong team, across all facets, to deliver a cohesive vision regardless of scale.

“Our philosophy of ‘Every Move Matters’ will continue to drive our thinking and design solutions. It’s important that we maintain a balance between the art in design and commercial performance in the delivery of our projects,” he added.

As part of the new leadership team, Nick Carr and Chris McCue aim to build on the legacy nurtured by Sue Carr and the team over the past 50 years while presenting continued opportunities for career progression with existing and future talent.

(L-R) Carr’s leadership team: Nick Carr, Sue Carr, Chris McCue