Gray Puksand invests in national growth with new structure and expansion of senior leadership team.

National architecture practice Gray Puksand has announced a new structure and expanded senior leadership team as part of efforts to continue the practice’s evolution after three decades of impressive Australian architectural design.

Known for a people-first approach, Gray Puksand’s new structure includes a strengthened focus on professional leadership and business intelligence, to allow the practice to further extend its reach on a national scale.

Set to deliver in excess of $750 million worth of projects nationally in 2022 alone, the practice’s reinvigorated business format will open the door for more works in key sectors of commercial, education, workspace, health, living and retail, and better empower the lead partners of Gray Puksand’s studios in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney to focus on the growth of the practice.

Stephen Turner, a key contributor to Gray Puksand’s success, steps into the role of National Managing Partner, bringing 30 years of expertise in professional leadership, design excellence, and complex project management to the position.

An expert in innovative educational design and master planning, Turner has delivered projects for leading clients including the ACT Government and TAFE NSW, and further established Gray Puksand’s Canberra studio which continues to deliver major projects including the new Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Woden campus.

“Our new leadership structure represents Gray Puksand’s collective intelligence and industry-leading experience, and offers our clients and stakeholders continued confidence in the design excellence we have become known to deliver,” says Turner.

“We are pleased to recognise the talent and commitment of our highly-skilled team with a number of internal appointments – supporting the next generation of leaders is a core facet of our strong culture, as we look to continue making a meaningful impact for our clients, communities, and future generations.”

Building on Turner’s work in Canberra, Amanda Fyfe, Lead Partner (ACT) takes on a leadership position in the nation’s capital while Heidi Smith, Lead Partner (VIC) steps into a leading role in Melbourne.

Both Fyfe and Smith now join NSW and QLD Lead Partners in providing a trusted local design voice to progress Gray Puksand’s work with clients and communities across Australia.

“I am delighted to join our senior leadership team to support our strategy building on our knowledge and creating the inspiring outcomes Gray Puksand is known for. I personally look forward to expanding my own experience, harnessing our creativity and relentless conviction to always do better, and making a real difference for our team and our clients,” says Smith.

Underpinning Gray Puksand’s growth and ongoing success is a recently unveiled corporate social responsibility plan focussed on ensuring gender representation is balanced across all levels, disciplines and sectors, with a plan for fifty percent of Gray Puksand Partners to be female before 2030.

Gray Puksand’s focus on delivering meaningful design outcomes with a commitment to people-first values will be further supported with the new appointment of Natasha Lauricella, who joins the practice as Commercial Business Manager.

With significant experience in commercial, residential, and retail property, as well as hotel and franchising as a senior finance leader, Lauricella’s technical and innovative mind-set and extensive experience in key industries is set to drive the growth and development of the practice.

“I’m pleased to join Gray Puksand’s diverse and talented team and look forward to supporting the continued success of the practice across all disciplines and regions we impact,” says Lauricella.

Founding Partner Robert Puksand will move away from his role as National Managing Partner to work on strategic projects and the establishment of new sectors and will continue to support the practice as Chair of the Board.