Big architecture firms expand

Two of Perth’s largest architecture and design firms, Hames Sharley and Cameron Chisholm Nicol, have expanded by recruiting the founders and staff of two smaller Perth practices.

Hames Sharley has added five staff after merging with Studio 53, which was established in West Perth in 2009.

Studio 53 managing director Chris Maher will become a director at Hames Sharley while co-founder Charlotte Kennedy will take on the role of Western Australian principal, interior design.

Mr Maher, Ms Kennedy and other staff at Studio 53 had all previously worked for Mirvac Group.

Executive chairman William Hames said the two firms had known each other for a number of years and their shared ethos and professionalism represented a natural alignment.

“As this year marks Hames Sharley’s 40^th anniversary, our alliance with Studio 53 also represents the next step in our continued growth as a national practice and major player in the marketplace,” he said.

Meanwhile, Formworks founder Kelly Rattigan has joined Cameron Chisholm Nicol as a director, and Deborah Binet has been appointed associate director.

CCN managing director Dominic Snellgrove said he was excited to have Kelly join the team.

“Her expertise will strengthen our ability to service clients in the health, aged-care and education sectors, and her regional experience will be a valuable addition to our knowledge base," he said.

Ms Rattigan, who was a 40under40 award winner in 2012, has brought her Formworks staff and clients across to CCN.

Ms Binet has been with CCN for 14 years.

She is currently project leader on the Heirloom multi-residential development in Fremantle, and is overseeing the Camilla Apartments project in West Perth.

CCN and Hames Sharley are respectively ranked the second and third largest architecture practices in WA, according to the BNiQ database maintained by Business News.