Each year, Melbourne Design Weeks celebrates the diverse ways design can work towards a better and healthier future.
As part of this annual program of events, Plus Architecture proudly partnered in the SAY IT LOUD exhibition featuring the contributions of diverse built environment professionals.
The exhibition aimed to elevate the contributions of women and black, indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) designers, architects, engineers, and planners.
A travelling exhibition since 2017, SAY IT LOUD exhibitions have been viewed by approx. 40,000 visitors across the world. Read More
At No Vacancy Gallery from 17–27 March 2022, shortlisted projects and video interviews of exhibitors, including the below Plus Architecture staff were on display demonstrating their experiences within the architecture and design professions.
voco® South Melbourne and Vivere Apartments
Segmented Sculptural Living
Inspired by Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens and Port Phillip Bay, this 19 storey mixed used building will house offices, hotel and apartments with separation of each use expressed in the vertical and horizontal stacking within each segment. Distinguished by its bold curved and segmented sculptural façade, Plus Architecture’s desire to make the best use of sightlines to the east and west displays a finely tuned craftsmanship supported by a thorough analysis of site context and design brief. Read More
Jessica Liew
Director
Known for her hard working determination and pursuit of extremely high standards, Jessica is a recognized successful architect and a Director at Plus Architecture. Jessica began her career at Plus Architecture nearly 20 years ago after winning a student competition. Educated in both Australia and Asia, Jessica is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
What excites you about the work you do?
Finding creative solutions, utilizing spaces wisely, creating efficiencies to reduce wastage is very important to me. It excites me when our effort is recognized by many return clients and they understand where we add value to their projects.
Ivona Golubovic
Senior Interior Designer (Associate)
Completed Bachelor of Architecture (BaArch)(Hons) in 1997 @ University of Melbourne. Worked as a design architect at Bates Smart Architects, HPA Architects, Steven Whiting Architecture and Bruce Henderson Architecture for 6 years before transitioning into ID field. Promoted to Director of Interiors at BHA and continued work there for another 10 years. In 2015 started interior design practice Studio InArte. Joined Plus Architecture in 2019.
What excites you about the work you do?
Getting ‘into the zone’ when ideas reach the point of free-flow or project starts coming together. When functional, aesthetic and economical aspects merge into one. When I see excitement and impatience in our client’s eyes.
Mei Yang
Project Associate
Mei is a highly experienced architect with over 15 years of experience in architecture, interior fit out, hospitality and retail design. She has a strong commitment to achieving a balance between considered design and built outcomes.
What excites you about the work you do?
Not a single day is identical. I enjoy that aspect of my work where I have the ability to hone my craft and deliver to my best ability with the team. The feeling when works on paper is transformed into built form is something I will never forget.
Sarah O’Halloran
Graduate Architect – 2IC
With 7 years of industry experience, I am passionate about the development of a strong project concept that focuses on the experience of the user and strives to enhance their quality of life. My aim is to create architecture that utilises ‘placemaking’ as a process of designing spaces that embody the ambitions and unique character of the local community.
What excites you about the work you do?
I am excited about devoting my time to developing spaces that humans experiences on a day to day basis. My passion lies within the finer grain detail of the built environment from the lighting to the materiality.
Thom Huihao Shen
Graduate Architect – 2IC
With an Australian-educated background, Thom has five years of working experience on various projects of different scales for international design companies. Apart from a strong desire to welcome challenges, his aesthetic sensibility in design and insightful expression of creation has been recognized across different companies in Australia and China. Through this accumulated experience and knowledge, Thom aims to practice as an Australian registered architect at management level across nations.
What excites you about the work you do?
What excites me the most is that I believe the essence of architectural design is the space that helps people increase their perception of self-consciousness and the connection between them and their surroundings physically and socially
Elements, Brunswick
Carbon Neutral Living
The overall design references the surrounding rhythm and scale of typical Brunswick architecture, creating a sense of familiarity whilst the street wall and canopy reminiscent of an industrial tilt up garage door acts as a connection between its industrial past and present. A highly considered design that benefit those who live there and the surrounding community, Elements is Plus Architecture’s first carbon neutral residential project with sustainability at the forefront of its design ethos. Read More
Candice Ng
Project Associate
Candice Ng began her architectural studies in Malaysia in 2003, moved to Melbourne in 2005 and graduated with a master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Melbourne in 2009. She began her professional career in 2010 at Plus Architecture and was appointed Associate in 2015 and promoted to Senior Associate in 2017. Her excellent track record as a project architect is derived from her exceptional attention to detail, strong project management approach and proven organisational skills.
What excites you about the work you do?
Making a difference in our built environment. Seeing your work come to life, existing in our built environment as something tangible and present is one of the few pleasures that not many people can claim.
Shannon Winsor
Senior Project Architect
With over 7 years of experience in architecture, Shannon has led the design & delivery of many high quality projects. With a creative background, attention to detail, analytical skill set and interest in sustainability, she aims to create spaces that enhance the users experience and ultimately reflects their core values and ideals. She has experience in mid to high end multi-residential developments, medium density housing, master planning, high rise commercial & student accommodation
What excites you about the work you do?
I love imagining how a space will look and be used, as I am designing or planning it. Planning homes is the most exciting as I get to have a positive influence on how people will live.
Xiaoying Liu
Architect 2IC
With 7 years of experience in the architectural profession accumulated from projects across both Australia and China, Xiao has been instrumental in the delivery of design concepts for different types of projects at Plus.
With the passion to design, Xiao aims to design spaces that enhance the user experience and reflect their core values and ideals. She believes that great design should focus on the lifestyle of the end user and how people experience place and how place affects them.
What excites you about the work you do?
We are looking at problems from many perspectives, the journey of the design process teaches us to think outside of the box, to be creative, to solve a problem in different ways, which can be applied to finding a solution to anything.
Erica Chen
Architectural Graduate
Erica first joined Plus Architecture in 2017 as a student. Since graduating with first class honours in 2020, and as shortlist of the 2020 Master Studio Award, Erica has returned to Plus, working predominantly in multi-residential, mixed use and commercial projects. Erica’s interest lies in the non-traditional architectural thinking, constantly distilling meaning in design, constantly pursuing ideas to create a meaningful and positive built environment.
What excites you about the work you do?
The work itself. Everyday, every project, drawing or thought will always bring multiple challenges and I love watching how everyone approaches them differently. The satisfaction is what truly excites me, makes me value our work much deeply.
Regional City Hub
Elevated Public Realm
This project is designed as a contemporary civic addition to a regional hub. The design draws on elements of the local industrial mining structures, the proportion of Victorian era development, and the hues, reflections and storytelling of the native landscape and Traditional Owners, weaving these together to create an Architecture that is complementary yet receding to the context. High Environmental Design standards have also been set.
Gabriel Mendoza
3D Renderer
Gabriel has been working with Graphic Design for 16 years and as a 3D artist for 8 years. As a curious professional, he is always searching for updates and new tools to improve his work.
He is graduated in Design in Brazil and have a specialization degree in 3D Computer Graphics, granted in 2011. Passionate about art in general and social causes, he believes that Design can be a crucial tool to improve the world with good information and guidance to people.
What excites you about the work you do?
The challenges projects provides, which helps me improve my time management and skills. Also, having good colleagues that make teamwork very efficient.
Naa Atswei Adjei
Architectural Graduate – 2iC
Naa is a 2nd in Command (2iC) architectural graduate. She has always had an interest in the relationship between architecture and nature. Naa is interested in how this idea is explored in East Asian architecture. Sustainability principles, materiality and design focused on the end user also guide Naa in her design thinking. Naa hopes to progress her career to eventually lead projects that satisfy the client and positively impact the end user of the build, the environment and public realm
What excites you about the work you do?
Creating new design concepts for building - thinking about the history surrounding the site, the proposed future use and how different people could interact with the building. Also, working collaboratively in a team
226 Flinders Lane
Where the Silk Lived
The ground floor lobby features a sculptural, monolithic staircase that is visible from street view. This visual interest connects people on the footpath to the ground floor lobby, enticing them to come in and appreciate the form. Not only is it meant to activate the space, but it also adds a new flavour to the popular Flinders Lane strip. Not just making a statement but also a lasting landmark in the years to come.
Nigel Mak
Project Architect/Associate
A measured and diligent Architect with experience predominantly covering the multi-residential and commercial sectors. With his background in construction management, he possesses an extensive knowledge of the construction process and is adept at working closely with both clients and builders to deliver high quality project outcomes that value both the design vision and buildability.
What excites you about the work you do?
Problem solving. Finding rational and elegant solutions to designs that challenge the status quo.
Sunshine M. Laudiano
Senior Interior Designer
Senior Interior Designer with over 13 years experience on local and international projects in hospitality, residential and commercial sector.
What excites you about the work you do?
Essentially, our role is to improve lives, enhance wellbeing and be environmentally friendly in all our projects. It satisfies me when I’ve followed through with those values and have a happy client in the end.
Carolina Rodriguez Perez
Architectural Graduate – 2iC
As an Architectural graduate at Plus Architecture and Environmental Sustainability Design advocate (Member of GBCA), I believe that collaborative work is key to developing impactful design in the building industry.
Prior to arriving in Melbourne in 2017, I completed a degree in Architecture with a focus in sustainability at ITESM University in Monterrey, Mexico. I then settled in Melbourne where I completed a Master of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building at RMIT University.
What excites you about the work you do?
What excites me in the work we do is that every project is a new opportunity to innovate and find ways to give back to our environment
Yarly Elvi Susanto
Graduate Interior Designer
Yarly is an experienced Graduate Interior Designer who has been involved in many residential and commercial project Across Melbourne and Jakarta. Having a keen eye on detail and equipped with good knowledge on design software, her thorough skill set has produced many high-quality presentation documents which thoughtfully interpret the design concept of its project. With her passion and commitment in interiors, Yarly is sure to deliver many more exciting projects to come.
What excites you about the work you do?
Working at Plus Architecture has given me the opportunity to see projects evolve from initial planning & design into a physical building. It’s the happiest moment when visiting a site or display suite, seeing the team’s hard work came to fruition.
Essendon Fields Commercial Hub
Bringing the Park to Work
As part of a competition, Plus was invited to submit a proposed design for a large commercial space in Essendon Fields. The proposed development on Larkins Drive provides Essendon fields with a unique opportunity to showcase its overarching ethos and vision for the entire precinct. Centrally located at the heart of Essendon Fields and surrounded by existing, the development has the potential to establish itself as a key visual, commercial, and recreational gateway to the Business district. Read More
Mau Yeun Cheng
Architect
With over seven years of architectural experience garnered from working across projects in both Australia and Hong Kong, Mau has delivered projects across multiple sectors including commercial, residential, master planning and mixed use.
Interested in the relationship between architecture and humans, this concept often informs Mau’s work, and he strongly believes all design should inform culture in some shape or form.
What excites you about the work you do?
Every project has its unique site, social identity and story behind. I see every project an opportunity to create a great piece of architecture not only to meet clients’ expectation but a unique city puzzle that improves people’s life in all aspect.