SAHMRI
What initially drew you to pursue architecture?
At university, we got to see the state of the industry through the eyes of our lecturers, tutors, Institute of Architects and built work. Very early on at university, I was passionate about large-scale, city-shaping projects that could be experienced by a wider community – not just the users.
Woods Bagot was (and still is) one of the globe’s most significant architectural firms, and I knew I wanted to start my career surrounded by the people responsible for creating iconic buildings and places for the communities they serve.
“As an architect, you’re able to wield your creativity to solve complex problems, but you’re also part of the preservation of history, legacy and local communities. It’s a very integrated process, with an extremely rewarding outcome.”
What is the biggest change you’ve witnessed over your 30-year career?
The profession itself is exposed to so many different clients, cultures, new sectors, communities, political systems and laws. Whilst we were trained as designers, with creativity in our DNA, we now need to consider things like carbon neutrality, material compliance, and integrated digital delivery models to name a few.
People say to me, “30 years? How could you be in one place so long?” But for me, it’s been a series of 5-year journeys. I’ve really been able to grow within Woods Bagot and find myself immersed in projects that matched my professional development over the last three decades.
When I first started, I was fortunate enough to work on a major project, then shifted to the next one, and so on. I quickly became involved in running my local studio, through practice management. Before I knew it, I was involved in supporting and growing our global studio through the lens of design / delivery management.
The last 10 years of my career have really been focused on the practice growth on all fronts. A recent highlight has been the launch of 7C, which bridges Woods Bagot, ERA-Co, ImpactFutures and Customs Bureau, bringing that global expertise to our projects, with a new way of thinking and designing. We are now part of one organisation, which means we can bring the best talent to any client, project or location around the globe.
Today, I wear a number of hats – from Global Management Leader, CRC, GSE and Board roles, but one thing remains constant: working with our people around the globe is the most rewarding part of my role.
83 Pirie
U City
Why should someone pursue an architectural career?
Our industry is diverse, and if you’re the type of person that is inquisitive, a good communicator, wants to continually learn, and creative in your thinking and abilities, then it’s the best profession in the world!
Every project and client are slightly different – it constantly keeps us engaged and thinking about the future.
You could be working on a laboratory building one day, building a stadium, then an office tower feaso or a forever home for a client. It’s everything and anything – the key is they are all design exercises that we tackle the issues head on.
One of the projects that I’ve worked on, the Adelaide Convention Centre, has become a global benchmark around its flexibility. We have been able to take the strategies from this project and integrate them into projects around the world, tell the stories and win other projects like EXPO2020.
You really have to give yourself up to that agenda and take advantage of it, because architecture can take you anywhere. You can do anything with this profession, and it’s exciting to be a part of an industry that is constantly evolving. Every day you are learning and growing as a professional.
Why do we need good architects?
As an architect, you’re able to wield your creativity to solve complex problems, but you’re also part of the preservation of history, legacy and local communities. It’s a very integrated process, with an extremely rewarding outcome.
Our industry is so broad. It ranges from very small projects, right through to major pieces of infrastructure – and everything else in between. I take everything I do very seriously, because it will be built for (probably) the rest of your life.
These solutions we’re creating have to be within commercial and legal frameworks, while tackling all sorts of complex problems like global supply chain issues or climate resilience.
To do that, we need a diverse and rich base of thinking and experience to solve problems. We need people from different backgrounds, different experiences and different cultures.
The projects you work on will impact many different communities. The outcome is public in nature, so people get to experience these facilities or structures in a variety of ways, for years to come.
That’s what I love the most about Woods Bagot, in terms of the projects we do. SAHMRI, for example, which will be a part of medical advancements for generations to come, or the Uniting Communities U City redevelopment that provides compassionate, inclusive and individually respected community living for people from all ages and abilities.
Architecture is no different to mathematics or science – it’s just that we use design as the ultimate tool that helps to enable a better future for our built world.
Adelaide Convention Centre
Talk to Thomas Masullo about Spotlight – Thomas Masullo
Dubai, UAE
21 May 21
Adelaide, Australia