GEORGINA MACKEAN
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
DESIGN
DOCUMENTATION
Momento Hospitality is a hotel group based in Western Sydney. Their portfolio includes The Governor Hotel, The Hillside Hotel and the Bella Vista Hotel.
I was recruited as an in-house architect responsible for design and management of upcoming building and renovation projects. On the design side, my role included choosing floor and wall coverings, fixtures, furniture and accessories. I created all documentation for the projects. The project management side of the role included managing external architects, engineers, consultants and trades. This involved managing fee proposals, job scheduling, building standards compliance and WHS.
Leffler Simes are one of Sydney’s most respected commercial architects. Their clients include Harvey Norman, Bunnings, Aldi, Coles, Lend Lease, Ikea, Stockland, William-Sonoma, Fujitsu and Woolworths.
My role typically begins with client liaison and briefing, then building design, documentation and client approvals. I issue and supervise tenders, prepare DA and CC documents and follow them through Council, conduct site visits and repond to RFIs from project managers and trades. I am regularly consulted by colleagues with regard to building codes and standards. At all stages, I keep accurate records of decisions, conversations, meetings and variations to minimise disputes. I also maintain strong control of project budgets and payment schedules.
Unfortunately now defunct, Action were an exciting and progressive commercial office fitout company based in North Sydney. Clients included SC Johnson, Rema TipTop and Chinese petrochemical giant Sinopec, for whom I designed and project managed their new Sydney head office in the landmark Deutsche Bank Building.
My role included taking briefs from clients, preparing interior designs based on staffing and procedural requirements, obtaining construction estimates and timings, project managing fitouts and overseeing budgets and schedules. I was responsible for choosing carpets, fabrics, furniture, workstations and colour schemes.
3 Bald Men were a New Zealand-based design, construction and fitout company specialising in hospitality. Clients included Premier Venues (Australian Hotel & Brewery, The Hillside Tavern, Bella Vista Hotel, The Banc, Hotel Macau, Dural Rugby Club), Tradies Gymea, Caringbah RSL, Ocean Grove Bowling Club, Craignish Golf Club in Hervey Bay, James Squire Brewhouse at King Street Wharf and Barons in Kings Cross.
My role included building design, interior design, documentation, obtaining Council approvals (including Heritage approvals) and project management of construction and fitouts. I was responsible for choosing finishes, furniture, soft furnishings and carpets.
A small building design firm with clients in residential, commercial and hospitality areas. Clients included Waugh Hotel Group (Ettalong Hotel, Summer Hill Hotel), Elizabeth Auswild’s residence in Bellevue Hill.
My role included building design, interior design, documentation, obtaining Council approvals and project management of construction and fitouts.
My contract drafting and 3D modelling business. Clients included Leffler Simes Architects, Harvey Norman Shopfitting, S&S Quirk, Luxury Design Homes and numerous one-off residential and commercial clients.
Prior roles: CAD Manager, Software Trainer (AutoCAD), Draftsperson
Sydney Institute TAFE – Ultimo College
Roseville College
Rema TipTop are an international company servicing automotive and surface processing clients.
When they were planning a move to new premises, I was tasked with designing their new warehouse and office space, complete with a beautiful reception area, modern kitchen and break-out areas.
Chinese petrochemical company, Sinopec, wanted to make a statement with their new head office in the landmark Deutsche Bank building. I was given a blank canvas with the tenancy.
Before beginning, I made sure I understood Chinese corporate culture. I also incorporated feng shui principles.
Dealing with Heritage issues is never easy. For this project, the client wanted to turn a Heritage-listed bank in Petersham into a restaurant and bar.
I used a number of strategies to get the project approved by Council, not least, suggesting that the restaurant be called The Banc, to reflect the building's past.
Against all expectations, the Council loved the redesign and issued the DA.
The South Island of New Zealand has design and construction issues I don't normally deal with in Sydney - including engineering a roof to deal with snow accumulation. I spent a great deal of time familiarising myself with New Zealand codes and Council regulations.
This building combines a number of diverse tenancies including a hotel and offices.
The Barons Nitespot was a fixture on the Kings Cross social scene before Council closed it in 2007. Famous for Chesterfield lounges and late night backgammon, it truly was an icon.
The owner had plans to redevelop the venue under a theatre licence, which would let it stay open until 6am. A lot of careful planning and negotiations with Council were needed to fit such a development into the tiny space. Unfortunately, even though the DA was eventually approved, the project did not proceed. But it remains one of my proudest achievements.
American homewares powerhouse, William-Sonoma was looking to open a store in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley and I was assigned the design, documentation and management of the fitout for Leffler Simes Archtects.
A big feature for William-Sonoma is adding local flavour to their stores. I sourced some handmade tiles from a local artist for the front of the West Elm cashwrap, and some incredible reclaimed timber flooring from an old Queensland woolshed.
I have been designing and documenting Harvey Norman sites off and on for over 20 years.
Many of the sites are entire shopping precincts with multiple tenancies and car parking.
