The promotions Warren and Mahoney (WAM) says “recognise the exceptional creativity, expertise, and leadership qualities” of their senior designers. Newly appointed Principals of the practice are Asha Page, Claire Sharpe and Alexandra Hornby, while Te Ari Prendergast and Kathryn Collins have been promoted to Associate Principal. 

Asha Page, Principal, Auckland

Page, says the practice, has demonstrated talent and dedication in her role as a workplace design specialist. As an established senior member of WAM’s interior design team for ten years, WAM says Asha has “formed a strong reputation with clients for her leadership, depth of expertise, commitment to quality and exemplary relationships and communication skills.” Realising award-winning projects for 2degrees, Colliers, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and Zespri from concept to completion, “her empathy, energy and passion,” the practice says, ensures high-quality outcomes.

Claire Sharpe, Principal, Wellington

Sharpe returned to WAM in 2022 after 12 years working for Foster + Partners in London and San Francisco. While there, Sharpe’s work included the global headquarters for Apple in Cupertino, California, helping guide the project from masterplan to completion. The practice says, since returning, “Claire has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a commitment and passion for Wellington’s built environment.” A strong designer and communicator, WAM says, Sharpe has quickly become a “well-respected and trusted advisor to our clients,” helping shape the future of her home city.

Alexandra (Alex) Hornby, Principal, East Coast Studios

Hornby joins the Principal team in her new role as Commercial Director of WAM’s integrated East Coast Studio (Melbourne and Sydney). After seven years with the practice, WAM says Hornby has formed strong relationships and a deep understanding of successful commercial practice. Her insight as a trained and experienced Project Manager “enables seeing our work through a different lens,” aiding the practice to “achieve successful outcomes that serve our clients.”

Te Aritaua (Te Ari) Prendergast, Associate Principal, Auckland

Prendergast joined WAM in 2022 as Te Matakīrea Design Lead, based in Auckland. As a practitioner and industry leader in co-design methodology, he is highly regarded and respected in the wider design community for his expertise in cross-cultural design. A highly respected member of the WAM team, the practice says, “His calm, thoughtful and collaborative approach” on a number of significant projects, including healthcare, infrastructure and masterplanning across its One Studio network, has enabled the delivery of sensitive and informed design projects to its clients.

Kathryn (Kat) Collins, Associate Principal, Auckland

Collins is an experienced registered architect and project leader. In her work, says the practice, “Kat demonstrates her strengths in all aspects of a project, including design and technical excellence and commercial performance.” In terms of growth, the practice says she is “Fast becoming an insightful leader in the multi-residential sector.” WAM says, “Kat is well respected and trusted by those she works with, both internally and with key clients.”

Other appointments

In addition, Rory Keegan, Jeremy Joseph, Hannah Thompson, Matthew Body, Bridget White, James Kladouris, Paul Grant and David Smith have been appointed Senior Associates, and Anton Shaw has been promoted to Associate.

Managing Director, John Coop, notes that depth and substance in the design practice’s leadership is vital as the practice continues to diversify and evolve its team and expertise across Australia and New Zealand.

“This talented group of leaders collectively demonstrate design and technical excellence, leading their project teams to deliver exceptional service to our clients, our projects and our communities.

“We congratulate this team and thank them for the significant contribution they are making to our practice.”

Warren and Mahoney employ over 350 staff across six integrated studios: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Sydney and Melbourne.