Research for WA Business News’ annual Book of Lists has revealed significant increases in business activity for Perth architectural firms.
Research for WA Business News’ annual Book of Lists has revealed significant increases in business activity for Perth architectural firms.
Of the 38 architects surveyed, 15 reported an average 23.1 per cent increase in business.
Above-average performers were Sandover Pinder Pty Ltd and Cameron Chisholm & Nicol, which claimed an increase in business of about 30 per cent.
Sandover Pinder employs 18 staff in its Perth office, 15 of whom are architects, a number unchanged from 2004’s Book of Lists. The company has one office in Perth and one interstate, with 80 per cent of its business in architecture and 20 per cent in the fields of interior design, project and planning services.
The company’s director general manager, David Karotkin, said the commercial market was buoyant in terms of architectural needs.
“We are taking a bigger piece of the market share,” he said.
“Our growth is primarily due to increased market share and an uplift in the commercial sector in the building industry.”
Commercial architecture is Sandover Pinder’s specialty area, with multi-residential projects the only residential work the company undertakes.
The most recent example of this is a recently commissioned complex of 72 apartments in West Perth.
Sandover Pinder’s current “premier” project, however, is the redevelopment of the old Treasury buildings, acquired through a competition held by the Department of Housing and Works.
In a joint venture with Donaldson + Warn Architects, the old Treasury buildings will be retained with a new one being interfaced between the heritage buildings and the Town Hall.
Government offices will occupy most of the space above ground level, while cafes and retail will open the ground level up to the public on St Georges Terrace.
The other firm to report above-average business activity, Cameron Chisholm & Nicol, has completed a number of residential projects, including single-residential and commercial architecture work.
The company’s specialty areas include retail, commercial, multi-residential, hospitality and sustainable design. Architecture comprises 85 per cent of the CBD-based firm’s business, with 15 per cent from interior design and other services. Cameron Chisholm & Nicol has two offices interstate and one in Perth, while 18 of the 32 Perth staff are architects, down from 20 in last year’s Book of Lists.
In the 2005 edition of the Book of Lists, Cameron Chisholm & Nicol was ranked fifth and Sandover Pinder was in seventh place. Architects were given a rank determined by the number of architects employed with the firm in WA, then by total staff in the state.
• WA Business News is researching for the next edition of the Book of Lists to be published in January 2006. Information is currently being sought for real estate agents, interior designers and corporate finance. Contact WA Business News on 9227 9544 or email bol@wabusinessnews.com.au for more information on the Book of Lists.
