As we close the chapter on another year, it’s a natural time for reflection. As directors, looking back on 2025 fills us with immense pride and gratitude. This year was not just about projects; it was about celebrating significant milestones, reinforcing our core values, and strengthening our commitment to community and progress. It was a year defined by our principles of care, collaboration, and creation, which are the core of everything we do here at GB-A.
This year has been particularly special, marked by anniversaries that speak to our history and project achievements that point toward our future. We celebrated 30 years of our own journeys with GB-A, a milestone that has given us a unique perspective on the firm’s evolution. Alongside our personal anniversaries, our Melbourne studio commemorated 25 years of operation. These moments have prompted us to look back at the foundations we’ve built and forward to the legacy we continue to shape.
Collaboration in Action: Major Projects and Partnerships
Collaboration is at the heart of our design philosophy. It’s the process of bringing diverse minds together to solve complex challenges and create spaces that serve their purpose with integrity. This year, we saw this value demonstrated through our projects and our engagement with the broader community.
The Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre Opens
One of the most significant achievements of 2025 was the official completion and opening of the $965.2 million Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre. This project was a monumental undertaking that required deep collaboration with government bodies, community stakeholders, and a vast team of consultants and builders. Our goal was to deliver a facility that prioritises safety, rehabilitation, and humane design principles.
Seeing this centre become operational is a testament to the power of integrated design. Every aspect, from the site planning to the material selection, was carefully considered to create a secure yet supportive environment. We are proud to have delivered a piece of critical social infrastructure that will serve the community for decades to come.
Thomas Embling Hospital Upgrade: Transforming Forensic Mental Health
Another significant project that stands out in 2025 is the successful completion of the $515.7 million upgrade of Thomas Embling Hospital. This project delivered 82 additional secure mental health beds, significantly increasing capacity and bringing much-needed resources to Victoria’s forensic mental health system.
Set on a spur of significant inner urban parkland and in close proximity to a collection of historic early twentieth-century red brick buildings, the designs for the upgraded facility are undergirded by salutogenic and biophilic design principles which represent a step-change in care and rehabilitation for some of the state’s most vulnerable individuals.
We are proud to contribute to a project that not only enhances infrastructure but also transforms the way mental health care is delivered in Victoria. The expanded hospital is set to make a profound difference to patients, families, and the broader community for years to come.
Sharing Knowledge at the International Corrections and Prisons Association Conference
Our commitment to collaboration extends to sharing our expertise with the industry. This year, GB-A Director, Kavan, who is also the Group Chair for the ICPA Planning and Design Committee had the honour of speaking at the ICPA Conference.
This was an incredible opportunity to connect with global leaders in correctional design and share the insights we’ve gained from projects. The dialogue and exchange of ideas at events like these are vital to advancing the industry, and we were thrilled to contribute to the conversation on creating more effective and rehabilitative correctional environments.
Contemporary Landscape Architecture Masterpieces Around the World Book
Our Landscape team were featured in the latest edition of Contemporary Landscape Architecture Masterpieces Around the World book for the Frew Park Arena Play Structure.
The compendium presents an international showcase of contemporary landscape design between global trends, local traditions, climatic conditions, functional demands, new technologies, economic circumstances, and individual styles taking stock of the developments over the last decade. The book can be purchased at all major bookstores.
A Commitment to Care: Community, Environment and Culture
Our value of care extends beyond our clients and projects; it’s about our responsibility to our team, our community, and our society. In 2025, we took meaningful steps to deepen this commitment.
The GB-A Art Show for Hear and Say
A highlight of our year was the annual GB-A Art Show. This event embodies our passion for creativity while allowing us to give back to a cause we care deeply about. We were overjoyed that this year’s Art Show raised over $3,600 for Hear and Say, a specialised provider of audiology and speech pathology for all people with hearing loss.
This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our team, clients, and community, who contributed their art and their support. It’s a powerful reminder that our creative spirit can be a force for positive change.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Bail Out Event
In our ongoing commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), eight members of our Melbourne team attended Bail Out, an event that raised funds and awareness for the BBBS mentoring programs that offer young people connection, support, and opportunity before they reach crisis point. The team further supports the organisation by way of proceeds from the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme and decommissioned hardware.
Our Reconciliation Journey
This year also marked the formal beginning of a profoundly important journey for our firm: the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Guided by our value of care, we are committed to building stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and fostering respect and opportunities within our practice and projects.
Initiating our RAP is a deliberate step toward listening, learning, and taking meaningful action. We recognise this is a long-term commitment, and we are dedicated to embedding the principles of reconciliation into the fabric of GB-A. It’s about ensuring our work is inclusive, respectful, and contributes to a more equitable Australia.
Sustainability Successes
We achieved a substantial reduction in our carbon footprint and continue to meet our emission reduction strategy goals for the office. We also achieved ecoBiz 3-Star Partner status having demonstrated a 10% decrease in our energy, water, and waste from the previous reporting period.
Continuing to Champion Inclusivity in the Building and Construction Industry
One of our key focus areas over the last few years has been promoting fairness and inclusivity in the workplace and the wider building and construction industry. What is particularly rewarding is seeing how much our team members are championing these issues, too.
Our Brisbane Studio Manager, Carlie Rice, has conducted several presentations and CPDs over the year, speaking on workplace diversity and inclusion, covering topics such as neurodiversity in the workplace, LGBTQIA+ discrimination, team wellbeing, and mental health in the workplace.
Creating a Legacy: Celebrating Our People
Ultimately, the success of GB-A is built on the talent, dedication, and creative spirit of our people. This year, we had the pleasure of celebrating several significant anniversaries that underscore the strength and stability of our team.
Melbourne Studio’s 25th Anniversary
Our Melbourne studio celebrated 25 years of operation, a remarkable milestone that speaks to its enduring impact on the city’s architectural landscape. Since its inception, the studio has been responsible for a diverse portfolio of award-winning projects, driven by a team that consistently pushes the boundaries of design. We are incredibly proud of our Melbourne team and their contributions to our collective success.
Directors Celebrate 30 Years at GB-A
On a personal note, we both marked our 30th anniversaries with the practice this year. It has been a privilege to grow with GB-A, to lead this incredible team, and to contribute to a legacy of thoughtful architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. These three decades have been filled with challenges, growth, and countless rewarding moments. We are grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us and for the colleagues who have shared this journey with us.
Milestone Team Anniversaries
Across both our studios, we are proud to have a longstanding team that exemplifies years of dedication, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. This year, we had the opportunity to celebrate several milestone anniversaries. A big congratulations and thank you to the following team members:
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Daniel Russell, Senior Architect – 5 years
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Shiva Kumar, Architect – 5 years
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Sweta Solanki, Senior Interior Designer – 5 years
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Carlie Rice, Associate and Brisbane Studio Manager – 10 years
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Mike Carter, Associate – 15 years (and 40 years in the architectural industry!)
Looking Ahead to 2026
Reflecting on 2025, we are filled with gratitude for our team, our partners, and our clients. This year’s achievements are a direct result of the collective effort to care, collaborate, and create.
As we look toward 2026, we are energised to build on this momentum. We will continue to champion design that makes a positive impact, deepen our community engagement, and progress on our reconciliation journey.
Kavan & Phil
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