Off the back of a number of significant project wins, HDR has announced a suite of hires and promotions within to strengthen its education and science capabilities.

The revamped Senior Leadership Team now features Director and Tertiary Education Project Leader, Alex Wessling; Director and K-12 Education Project Leader, Jacqui Straesser; Senior Laboratory Planner, Amy Papas; and new Project Leader and Senior Architect, Simone Benvenuti. Spanning some 70 years of design experience, the leadership team are committed to crafting world-class buildings, smart infrastructure and pushing the boundaries of education, science and health design.

“At a time where women make up just 16 percent of STEM qualifications, our senior leadership team is shifting the dial on the delivery of highly technical, complex projects across the education and science sectors,” says HDR’s National Director of Education and Science, Graeme Spencer.

“With continued commitment to diversity, collaboration and transdisciplinary innovation, we are well positioned to build resilient and inclusive infrastructure for the communities we serve into the future.”

Thought is being given to a client’s needs across education, life and physical sciences and translational health sciences in the wake of the pandemic. New technologies, including mRNA tech platforms, vaccine manufacturing, research laboratories, containment facilities, advanced manufacturing, hybrid learning classrooms and vertical university campuses are proving the catalyst for systemic change both in Australia and abroad.

“With this unique opportunity comes a commitment to developing and growing talent from within,” says Director and Tertiary Education Project Leader, Alex Wessling.

“We are evolving at the pace of the sector, and it is our responsibility to share our cross-sectoral expertise and diversity of thought to design highly adaptable laboratory research facilities.

HDR science education team

“These places should cultivate knowledge transfer, deliver major health and education infrastructure and precincts, and democratise learning environments to deliver equitable, student-centred outcomes for a new generation.”

The constant evolution of design practices is crucial to both the sector and HDR’s team. The practice is intent on upskilling staff, in order to retain staff and boost wellbeing, while working with the practice’s global Education and Science network and Lab Planning Group.

“As a woman in STEM, learning and knowledge-sharing is becoming increasingly important,” says new Project Leader and Senior Architect, Simone Benvenuti.

“Not only does it increase our knowledge base, but it challenges our own assumptions and ensures we are delivering the most effective and innovative solutions to some of our most complex education, science and health challenges.”

Following the completion of projects for the University of Sydney and Macquarie University, HDR’s pipeline currently includes the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, University of Sydney’s Sydney Biomedical Accelerator, Western Sydney University Bankstown Campus, and the Westmead Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility and RNA Manufacturing Facility.

The team also includes additional female members Elisa Nakano, Rena Wang, Ady Chen, Mira Ebaf, Sisi Wang, Nazanin Ibrahim and others, with each making major contributions to HDR's education and science design output.

“In collaboration with our global counterparts, we have created an interconnected pool of knowledge, and the Education and Science team is working in partnership to traverse silos and deliver deeply technical outcomes underpinned by performance and innovation,” says HDR Managing Principal Cate Cowlishaw.

Jarrod Reedie

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