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HH Insider – Rob Williams

22/03/2021 - Celebration -

HH Insider – Rob Williams

Rob Williams has been with Human Habitats from our very early days. He came to the team as a student attached to a goatee that he assured us made him look older. Approximately 5 years down the track he looks no older but is a much wiser man and we love his thorough approach and calm demeaner.

We meet Robert down at our Docklands local and ask him the tough questions.

Robert, can you give us a little background as to your beginnings?
I grew up in Blackburn (east side of Melbourne) and have an identical twin brother (no unfortunately we are not telepathic). We went to the local school and high school. I played tennis, clarinet and saxophone throughout school, then once done, I took a gap year and worked full time, and then went to uni. In my third year I studied part time and went to TAFE for furniture making. That was for 6 months and then I went back to uni and finished my degree.

What was your first ever job?
My first job was at Muffin Break Forest Hill. I worked part time during VCE so had the late night Thursday shift and all day Sunday. I used to take the left over muffins to school to share on Fridays and was known as ‘Muffin Man’. ‘Peak muffin’ was reached when I came to school with a garbage bag full of them; Thursdays could be a slow day at Muffin Break and it was better than letting them go to waste. I worked there full time on my gap year and have definitely had my fair share of muffins (and used to come home smelling like one). Worth it though as it paid for my first car and a couple of instruments.

How did you start your career as a Town Planner?
I kind of fell into it. I went through school wanting to be an architect and arrived at uni having never heard of town planning. I took some subjects that covered both disciplines and swapped to the urban design and planning major in second year. And what a great move, as I am gifted at neither drawing nor design (as the HH Design team can attest based on my MS paint mark ups).

You’re a very focused man. How do you do it? What is it about private consultancy that keeps you so focused?
I wasn’t necessarily drawn to the private sector per se, but was given an opportunity at HH straight out of uni. One of the guest critiques in my final year studio was working at HH at the time and he encouraged me to take a casual position. I was one of three planners; humble beginnings, which included Director Jarrah Lukjanov. That was in 2016 when Sphere Planning (‘like a ball’) merged with urban design dojo Human Habitats and I haven’t looked back. It’s been great to be part of a growing business and part of the journey to get to where we are today.

What’s kept me at HH and in the private sector? Without doubt it’s the varied work and the people. In speaking with uni friends and colleagues who have worked elsewhere, I am unlikely to have the same autonomy in running my projects as well as the variety in my work. The people that make up the HH team are also why I enjoy working at HH.

What’s your favourite HH project?
Tough question. A couple come to mind.

My first VCAT case and win; double storey side by side townhouses at in Camberwell.
Another is not glamorous but was a tough project delivering a service station, fast food and a car wash. It was special because it was my first application managed from start to finish (and coincidentally its going in next to my local Bunnings so I get to look at my handiwork weekly).

Finally the Marriott Hotel on Wellington Road, Mulgrave. We worked with a quality project team on a very challenging site in terms of heritage and design. To get it approved at a Council meeting after all the efforts of the team was great to be a part of.

What’s been one of your best achievements over the last year?
The Mulgrave project was a big one but I would also say 21 Baker Road, Bayswater North. This was a long running project where I helped the client through the preliminary concept stage and early discussions with Council, receiving a refusal after a lot of negotiation with Council and then doing the advocacy for the VCAT appeal. Very satisfying to get the approval at the Tribunal.

You’ve had a few big life moments recently… I think I can guess, but how about giving us your greatest achievement to date, or is it the same as the above?
Marrying my high school sweetheart would be it, as well as a surviving our first year of marriage in lockdown. I’d also say buying our first home together.

Favourite Album….ever…?
Don’t really have one but I tend to like the 70s and 80s where horn lines are part of the band. But if I was marooned on an island and could only have one thing to listen to it would probably be Little River Band ‘The Definitive Collection’.

Favourite building in Melbourne?
Always liked the Manchester Unity building on the corner of Swanston and Collins Street. A beautiful design and materials with great details in the doors and windows and timber panelling in the lifts.

Dogs or cats?
Definitely dogs. They’re always happy to see you and receive pats. We’ve got a beagle at home and he is good fun. Can be a bit cheeky but mostly a good boy, and the exercise from the regular walks has also been a plus.

Dream holiday destination post-COVID restrictions?
Would love to go back to Europe and see more of England, Scotland and check out Ireland.

Last stamp in your passport?
Would be Hawaii from my honeymoon. Stayed in Waikiki on the main street. Great weather (consistently warm and sunny). Lots of time at the beach and some site seeing. Swimming with turtles was a highlight.

What superpower would you choose if you could?
Haha the hard hitting questions. Possibly instant permits for clients? Just lodge with Council and bam! – permit and stamped plans. Nah if we are talking a typical superpower I would like to be able to fly. Went sky diving over St Kilda and the views up there were amazing. Would be a great way to get around.

I’m surprised it wasn’t telepathy

What’s your favourite open space in Melbourne?
I have always liked the Royal Botanic Gardens (which is where I proposed), however right now we are really enjoying the new Dandenong Park near my place. Council re-landscaped and put in more seating and tables, including some sun lounges. Great on a Saturday morning after walking the dog up to the cafe and sitting back relaxing with a coffee. Well done Council I say.

Last one for the fans… Beach or Snow?
Preference would be the beach. Used to go on family holidays down to Macrae and Mornington and now discovered the dog beach at Mentone. Been to the snow a couple of times. Not a big fan of the cold though.

Pleasure hearing from you Rob!