Major architecture firm Hassell to shut its Adelaide office
Its architects have designed local landmarks including the Festival Centre and Adelaide Airport, but an international firm that started in Adelaide is now shutting up shop in SA.
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Hassell architects have designed some of Adelaide’s best-known landmarks – including the Festival Centre, Adelaide Airport and the panda enclosure for Wang Wang and Fu Ni – but now the respected international firm has decided to shut up shop in its home town.
Hassell, which was established in Adelaide in 1938, has become one of Australia’s biggest architecture firms and an international success with offices across Australia, China, South East Asia, the UK and US.
However, earlier this week staff in its Adelaide studio were told the firm would be “changing its approach” in Adelaide after completing its current pipeline of local projects.
In a statement, Hassell managing director Steve Coster said the firm’s strategy was to focus on designing “major, complex, city-shaping projects” in large cities where opportunities were more consistent.
“The firm signalled that it will be gradually scaling back its physical studio presence in Adelaide, but underlined its commitment to fully completing all current Adelaide projects until at least the end of 2021,” he said.
“Longer term, the firm will continue to maintain its interest in the Adelaide market and will pursue opportunities through a combination of partnerships with local firms and drawing on talent from the broader network of Hassell studios.
“This is an approach Hassell has taken in other markets internationally where a regional hub studio operates in multiple adjacent markets.”
Mr Coster said discussions were being held with the firm’s 25 architects and support staff in Adelaide regarding opportunities to transition to another office.
Hassell’s three Adelaide-based principals – Mariano De Duonni, David Homburg and Chris Watkins – will remain in Adelaide and establish a new independent consultancy that “may collaborate on future opportunities” with Hassell.
Australian Institute of Architects SA chapter president Nicolette Di Lernia said there was increasing pressure on local architects as clients, including builders and developers, looked to cut cost from projects.
“We are very concerned about the decision-making matrix that many clients go through – there’s pressure on upfront costs but that often results in higher costs later on during construction,” she said.
“Clients are increasingly making decisions based on fees rather than a balance between fees and expertise and that’s driving lower fees. We’ve seen architects fees continuing to fall.”
However, Ms Di Lernia remains bullish about future prospects for the architecture industry in South Australia.
“Naturally there’s a lot of disappointment because they’ve (Hassell) made a really fantastic contribution to the state,” she said.
“But I don’t see there being some sort of domino effect – we have interstate practices that have set up local offices here in recent years and we’ve seen one international practice set up their Asia-Pacific headquarters here.”
Hassell has designed some of Adelaide’s highest-profile projects, including the original design of the Festival Centre in the 1970s, and its current $90 million upgrade.
Other significant Hassell projects include Adelaide Oval’s western grandstand, the Giant Panda Forest at Adelaide Zoo, the SA Water building at Victoria Square and the most recent revamp of Rundle Mall.
It designed the lobby space in the recently completed $250 million GPO Exchange office tower on Franklin St, and has designed various stages of Adelaide Airport, including the $165 million expansion currently under way.
The firm was named after Colin Hassell – one of the firm’s three founding partners.