ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects

Opening Our Doors: Building the Leaders of Tomorrow Leadership grows when we invest in people and their potential. Connecting with emerging talent is one way we give back to the industry and inspire the leaders of the future. Our recent CHC Open House welcomed architecture, interior design, and urban design students into a live studio. They engaged in curated conversations about our values and ways of working, and saw firsthand the impact of a people-first culture in action. Initiatives like this go beyond exposure. They cultivate future talent, build capability, and create authentic opportunities for learning, mentorship, and growth. They also harness the power of connection and conversation, inspiring students while reinforcing our culture of collaboration and trust. For students, this is a chance to learn, explore, and engage with a thriving architectural studio, For our team, it’s a moment to share insights, collaborate, and reflect, strengthening a culture that values learning, growth, and collective excellence. For us at CHC, connecting with emerging talent isn’t just recruitment, it’s about creating opportunities, sparking meaningful conversations, and nurturing the next generation of professionals to thrive in the industry. #Leadership #PeopleStrategy #EmergingTalent #LearningAndDevelopment #Culture #CHCWay #Architecture

Last week, we hosted The Urban Design Forum Australia - Practice Forum event: a great opportunity for Victoria's professional urban design community to gather and discuss wider industry issues. We unpacked the theme of 'Balancing Design with Pragmatism' - looking at how urban design can be better understood and integrated across the design and planning community, to create better places. The exchange was thoughtful, honest and collaborative. It was particularly fulfilling to be able bring together both established and emerging perspectives, to further the impact of urban design in Victoria. The Urban Design Forum is a non-profit industry group that has three roles: creating a supportive network of urban designers and allied professionals, sharing knowledge on best practice urbanism, and researching and advocating for better urban education, systems and outcomes. ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects is pleased to provide an in-house platform for the fascinating people, ideas and conversations that shape the future of placemaking.

We're so proud of our Education team, who swept up at the Learning Environments Australasia Victorian & Tasmanian Chapter Awards last week!   Two projects by ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects were recognised among a strong cohort of industry peers, taking home the Overall Win, as well as a category win and commendation in a highly competitive year of education projects.   Winning both 'Category 4: New Buildings or Facilities – Small' and, most excitingly, Overall Winner of the 2025 LE Victoria and Tasmania Chapter Awards is Kilvington Grammar School – The Hive STEM and Library.   From the Judges Citations: “The Hive STEM and Library Centre at Kilvington Grammar School exemplifies educational architecture at its finest, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform learning environments into active pedagogical tools. The project stands out for its exceptional innovation through the living laboratory concept, where building systems become interactive teaching instruments that inspire the inquisitive mind.” Earning a commendation for 'Category 6: Modernisation- Small', Christ the Priest Catholic Primary School is a sensitive, inclusive modernisation project honouring an original design by our co-founder, Les Clarke.  From the Judges citation: “The design demonstrates strong stakeholder engagement, a clear understanding of educational priorities, and an ability to achieve significant impact within a modest scope. Innovation is evident in space utilisation, student wellbeing integration, and adapting a past design. The outcome reflects a deep care for students, combining heritage, identity, and adaptability in a cohesive and responsive learning environment.”   We will dig deeper into the design stories behind these projects in weeks to come. For now, congratulations to all the winners! Stephanie Wan Simon Le Nepveu. AIA ALEP

How can learning environments evolve to accommodate greater inclusivity? On Wednesday, Stephanie Wan brings her dedicated expertise in inclusive design to an insightful conversation moderated by Professor Christhina Candido: joined by Caitlin Howley, a young disability advocate with lived experience, occupational therapist Mellisa Merryweather, and Perry Rush, an inclusive education policy expert. Accessible both online and in person, this discussion takes place on the second day of University of Melbourne's 2025 Symposium: Designing Learning Spaces for Neurodiversity and Disability. Wednesday 12 November 4:30 pm-5:45 pm Glyn Davis Building, Parkville Campus Register for the event here: https://shorturl.at/Fzinz

Is yours a pet-friendly workplace? A growing number of Australian businesses and co-working hubs are making space for furry companions, as a happy addition to office life. “Wellness has become a priority to get people back into the office, and for some people, taking their dog to work is part of that,” says Michelle Cavicchiolo, Interior Design Team Lead at ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects. But how are interiors adapting to accommodate? Read all about designing for pets at work here: https://shorturl.at/GTHQe

Today we are delighted to share an exciting glimpse of Habitat at Highett Common: a new neighbourhood that continues a vision for green, connected living by the bay. Congratulations to our collaborators at Sunkin Property Group, and everyone involved in realising this vibrant new chapter for the Highett Common community. Featuring Toby Lauchlan and Kai Cheong from our Residential team.

What does the future of Melbourne’s suburban expansion look like?    Join Dean Landy, our Cities + Precincts Partner at ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects, at the Melbourne Build Expo's event this Thursday for a fireside chat on Urban Growth and Suburban Expansion: The Future of Masterplanning in Melbourne.    Drawing on 26 years’ experience leading some of Australia’s largest and most ambitious new urban developments, including town centres, mixed-use projects and urban renewal precincts - as well as his current position, helping shape 6 new cities in Africa with Rendeavour, Dean will share insights on how thoughtful masterplanning can create connected and culturally rich communities that thrive.    Join the conversation in person, 2:30pm this Thursday: https://shorturl.at/LcQQ7 Image: Tatu City Masterplan by CHC 

How can design shape a healthier future for Melbourne?   Cath Muhlebach, Healthcare Partner at ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects, will join industry experts at Melbourne Build Expo’s ‘Building for Health’ panel, to discuss how thoughtful design and technology are transforming healthcare infrastructure, to better serve the evolving needs of patients, staff and communities.   Cath will share insights on the power of collaboration: how stakeholder engagement and co-design can produce spaces that genuinely support end-users, as well as brownfield renewal: reimagining existing hospital assets to create more adaptive, future-focused healthcare environments.   Join the conversation in person, 1pm this Thursday: https://shorturl.at/Rqen8 Pictured: The New Epping Health Hub by CHC

CHC's continued involvement with the Living Future Institute of Australia continues to spark thought and conversation, as we reflect on the recent Symposium on Gadigal Country. Vanessa Trowell, Board Chair for the 2025 Symposium, was joined by our Sydney-based team including Juan Guillermo Rodriguez, Lauren Bell, Natalia Zapata Aldana, Trisha Ho, and Brady Parker. This year's theme, Resilience, reminded us that what we design reflects what we value - our attention and our intention - shaping futures that can thrive. This optimism is framed by both expectation and a moral obligation to work toward a regenerative future. It was inspiring to be in the room with so many good troublemakers. Photography: Evan Maclean

We are proud to announce the appointment of Gaston Nogues as Associate Partner, Cities + Precincts in our Melbourne office. In the decade since joining us, Gaston has been shaping CHC’s impact in urban regeneration, precinct masterplanning and sustainable mixed-use developments. He brings to the role of Associate Partner 15+ years’ experience, working nationally and internationally on complex architectural and urban design projects spanning residential, mixed-use, retail, commercial and urban design. Among his best-known projects are the adaptive reuse of Building 4 at Morris Moor, winner of the 2024 UDIA Victoria Award for Excellence in Urban Renewal. He has also shaped regenerative masterplans for Dandenong Market and the University of Tasmania’s Sandy Bay campus, and diverse town centre projects from Armstrong Creek to Merrifield. Gaston’s passion for precinct design stems from the responsibility he feels to create positive impact at scale. His new role is an opportunity to further evolve CHC’s Living Cities Framework, and build on our partnership approach. He believes designing with clients, communities and like-minded consultants creates shared wins for everyone while addressing fundamental societal challenges, from climate change to local employment. “Community precincts are the centre of civic life,” he says. "By designing in collaboration, we can understand and translate the multiple perspectives that make truly successful places for people to work.” Gaston’s appointment reinforces CHC’s national leadership in Cities + Precincts and our ongoing mission to design thriving, connected, and sustainable communities. Congratulations, Gaston - we’re excited to see your continued impact enriching every project.