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Human Habitats create places where people want to be.

2019 in Summary!

19/12/2019 - Celebration -

The last week before Christmas is always a busy time in the development community, with everyone striving to get their applications submitted before the holiday break. In light of this crazy week, we thought we would take a minute to slow down and reflect on the year that has been. 2019 has been a exciting for Human Habitats, achieving many of our goals set the previous year!

HH has continued to grow, reaching a now 25 strong team of people with incredibly diverse skills and project experience. To accommodate this growth we have taken over an additional office space, opposite our current home on level 4, 838 Collins Street. The growth also catalysed the need for an additional ping pong table. Maybe in 2020 we can reach a third table (or maybe a billiards table!)

The most notable addition to the team was Landscape Architect extraordinaire Rachel Smithers who has joined HH as our 5th Director! Rachel is an outstanding landscape architect with extensive experience. She joins Director Ryan O’Sullivan to co-lead the Design team and further propel HH’s Landscape capabilities. HH has been building its Landscape offerings over the last two years and we are ecstatic to have the knowledge and experience that Rachel and Associate Landscape Architect, Tristan Andrews bring to the growing design team; they are already designing engaging and convivial spaces. We are extremely exciting for what the new year will bring.

HH has worked on a number of notable projects over the last 12 months that will contribute greatly to our city. Some of our achievements include the approval of 459-471 Church Street, Richmond – Industry Lanes, the submission of a proposed $350M mixed-use tower at 700 Collins Street, Docklands and a Medium Density Development at 8-10 Grattan St, Hawthorn.

Additionally, we have continued to strive for great outcomes in greenfield communities. Some notable projects include the continued work on Verdant Hill, the preparation and submission of the Tarneit Towers Urban Design Framework, planning and design work on Deanside Central, the Sinclair Heights, The Village and a host of other projects throughout the outer metro regions.

This year we have expanded our 3D capabilities to produce high quality 3D visualisations. The visualisations communicate urban and landscape design concepts and have been vital in assisting the success of various approvals.

On a more personal side, Director Andrew Lanarus welcomed his first child, with Tristan Andrews announcing that he and his partner Emma are expecting their first child in the new year! Rob Williams tied the knot, and Associate PlannerJose Virgues proposed to his partner and is now next in line! Urban Designer Rebecca travelled to Canada as the recipient of the 2019 International Specialised Skills Institute Fellowship to study Canadian Public Open Space Design. Director Ryan O’Sullivan and Yuko Kasai, as well as Planner Joe Grech, both purchased new homes. *Narrator note* Meanwhile I still live at home with my parents *End of Narrator Note.*

The entire HH team is looking forward to our end of year function and a few weeks holiday before we get back into what we expect to be a big year, starting back on the 6th of January.