About Xsquared Architects

Professional, Creative, Sustainable

Xsquared Architects is one of Tasmania’s leading architecture and sustainability practices. With offices in Hobart and Launceston, we currently have a team of 17 accomplished and experienced design, technical and administration professionals.

We are proud to be Tasmanian-based and consciously focus on delivering the majority of our work in lutruwita/Tasmania, albeit for a range of local, national and international clients.

We acknowledge the palawa and other First Nations people, their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and build our projects. Furthermore, we seek to understand and consider their cultural heritage, beliefs, sustainable practices, resourcefulness and interdependence with the land as part of our ongoing research for our projects.

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Our Values

Our Values

To be professional, profitable and to act with integrity.

To constantly seek to create new relationships and maintain and improve existing ones, both internal and external.

To put environmental, cultural and financial sustainability at the centre of our work and activity.

To make the health and wellbeing of employees a key consideration in decision-making.

Our Mission

To provide leadership to clients and our community.

To be creative, committed, passionate, professional and ethical.

To deliver environmentally, culturally and financially sustainable architectural solutions.

Our Team

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We make technical simple

Our team of design and technical professionals has many years of experience within the building industry. In an environment of increasingly technical legislative demands, especially in the areas of planning, universal access and sustainable and energy efficient design, this experience ensures that we are particularly well placed to help navigate the complex building procurement process and turn ideas into fully realised projects.

In addition we are constantly extending our capacity for, and knowledge of, innovation in design and building activities to enable us to provide comprehensive advice to underpin the many important decisions that need to be made about buildings and building works. Well informed decisions minimise risk and help to assist and expedite the procurement process.

Xsquared Architects has two directors, Peter Scott FRAIA and Alex Newman RAIA, who have extensive practice and management experience, not only in Tasmania, but from interstate and overseas as well. Their breadth of experience is central to the efficient delivery of master planning, planning, design, documentation and built outcomes.

Peter Scott

Director

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Peter graduated from the Liverpool School of Architecture (UK) in 1989, having also studied as an exchange student at the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts (USA) during that time. Having practised in the UK and USA before establishing an architectural practice in Tasmania, and then co-founding Xsquared Architects with Keith Drew, he brings extensive international experience of design, construction and sustainability issues and has specialist knowledge of innovative and sustainable design at both large and small scales.

Peter has been an active advocate for sustainability in the built environment for more than two decades and has been involved with the Australian Institute of Architects at national and local levels, having chaired the Institute’s National Sustainability Committee for more than four years, and having chaired the Institute’s Tasmanian Chapter Sustainability Committee for eight years. He has led the design of key sustainability-focussed projects including the 5 star Green Star certified Hopkins Street Affordable Housing and Ibis Styles Hobart Hotel projects.

Peter is the Immediate Past President of the Property Council of Australia Tasmanian Division and currently chairs the Division’s Urban Renewal Committee. He is also currently a member of the Tasmanian Heritage Council.

Alex Newman

Director

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Alex trained and undertook his early career in England with over ten years’ experience working on a variety of projects from multi-residential housing to high profile boutique retail shops in London. He joined Xsquared Architects in 2008 and became a director in 2017.

During his time at Xsquared Architects, Alex has led some of the practice’s most complex and challenging projects. These include being project architect on the Southern Remand Centre, Hobart Ibis Styles Hotel, the Risdon Prison PIRP D1 infrastructure project, the Hopkins Street Affordable Housing project and the Austin’s Ferry Primary School Redevelopment.

He is a strong believer in good communication and in an iterative design process where the skills of all project members are harnessed to deliver the best possible project outcomes. Alex has extensive correctional, multi-residential, office fitout and educational architecture experience, having worked on many projects from inception through to completion. He prides himself on building great client relationships on every project.

Erin Rockliffe

Associate

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Erin is an Associate and registered architect.  In her role as a Project Architect she is responsible for projects from commencement to completion covering design, documentation and contract administration. Erin is a chair of the Property Council of Australia’s Tasmanian Division Diversity Committee, and deputy chair of their Future Directions committee.  Erin was the recipient of the 2019 Property Council Future Leader Award and the 2021 National Association of Women in Construction Contribution to Design Award.

Juliana Ribeiro Nascimento

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Juliana is a graduate with over 3 years’ experience overseas and in Tasmania.  Juliana hails from Salvador Brazil and completed one year of her Masters in Paris, as a result of a scholarship, before returning to Brazil to complete the second year.  She brings another international perspective to our practice.

Juliana has an interest in sustainable architecture as a means of responsibly improving the human experience.  She also loves hiking, contemporary art, furniture and set design.

Nikki Garbett

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Nikki completed her Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Queensland and her Master of Architecture at the University of Tasmania. Nikki likes to create simple, beautiful, and practical solutions that respond to their context and environment.

When not immersed in architecture, she can be found exploring Tasmania with her husband and dogs with camera in hand.

Andrew McCreary

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Andrew has extensive experience in all phases of project delivery across a wide range of building typologies and sectors, having successfully delivered projects up to $100M in value.  He focuses on the broad principles of ‘build small’, reuse and repurpose where possible, and build for flexibility and longevity.

Away from the office Andrew can be found cycling, gardening or chasing his energetic young sons around.

Janine Holt

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Janine is a business manager with over 30 years’ experience in the architectural, financial services and secondary teaching sectors. Janine has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Diploma in Education and Diploma of Financial Planning.  She manages Xsquared Architects’ quality assurance processes and assists the directors with the financial, people, compliance, marketing and procurement aspects of the practice.

Janine believes that efficiencies can be gained by examining processes, policies and procedures and looking at how best practice can be implemented to improve productivity and profitability.

Paul Dickman

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Paul has over 30 years in the design and construction industry, with experience across a diverse range of projects; including affordable/social housing, seniors living, hospitality, residential and aged care. He has worked both within Australia and internationally.

Paul is skilled at managing the complete project delivery process and has extensive expertise in architectural design, documentation, and project administration, including leading groups of multi-disciplinary professionals, client liaison and consultation, design development, documentation, and construction.

Rob Ford

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Rob graduated from UTAS in 1994 and moved to WA to work with Cameron Chisolm & Nicol the following year.  He remained with CCN for 20 years, being appointed Associate Director in 2004 and worked on a range of major retail and commercial projects. Returning to Tasmania, Rob joined Xsquared Architects in 2016, and is currently project architect for the 36 Argyle Street Mixed Use Development where his skills in resolving complex projects are particularly well utilised.

Kate Morrow

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Kate is an Architectural Technician with a broad and comprehensive knowledge-base of construction technology in large projects. She also manages our IT, CAD and BIM systems as well as our in-house CAD training.

Cyrus Chan

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Cyrus is a Design Architect, now taking on as much as he can in order to learn the ropes of our complex industry. He has a particular interest in Green Star principles and drives a yellow mini.

Harriet Kossmann

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Harriet has both a Bachelor of Environmental Design (Interior Design) and a Master of Architecture from UTAS. Harriet enjoys delving into the structural and functional side of things while simultaneously applying a bold aesthetic flare. Harriet was awarded the Barry McNeill Graduate Award for Master of Architecture 2018. Her next endeavour is to become a registered architect.

Outside of work, you can find Harriet consuming and doing all things food and drink at the latest hot spots. Contrarily, Harriet makes up for overindulging by partaking in all physical activity to keep in peak performance.

Matt Mappin

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Matt is an accomplished Architectural Technician with a multidisciplinary background and holds strong relationships with sub-contractors. Matt’s experience within the field of design has spanned over 20 years and has led to an involvement in a diverse range of large-scale projects within most of Australia’s capital cities.

Karen McManus

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Karen keeps the Xsquared office in order, applying her administration and accounting skills to make sure everything runs smoothly and that the bills are paid on time.

Our Employer of Choice Award

Xsquared Architects is recognised as an Employer of Choice by the Tasmanian Government for demonstrating leading, contemporary workplace practices and outstanding support for our staff. This achievement reflects the qualities of our people and the values, inspiration and energy that they bring to every project. We put the wellbeing of our employees at the centre of our decision making, invest heavily in continuing professional development and have a high staff retention rate. As a result, our clients can rely on our experienced, stable and dedicated team to deliver excellent results.

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Our Commitment to Quality

Xsquared Architects is committed to quality outcomes for all our projects, regardless of size and complexity. We are ISO9001 certified, which means our quality management system complies with international standards of quality assurance. Annually, we are independently audited to ensure we are monitoring, evaluating and modifying our policies, systems and procedures to improve all aspects of service delivery. This also ensures that our quality management system responds to the context and strategic direction of our practice and the requirements of our clients and other parties affected by our projects.

Further information on our commitment to quality can be found in our Quality Policy.

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Our Memberships

Australian Institute of Architects
(AIA)

Xsquared Architects is an A+ member of the AIA, which is the peak body for architecture in Australia. Members are required to adhere to a code of conduct, are committed to raising design standards and improving the built environment. Our team members have previously been involved in AIA committees.

Green Building Council of Australia
(GBCA)

Xsquared Architects is a member of the GBCA, which leads the sustainable transformation of the built environment, through their Green Star ratings system, education and advocacy.  Two of our projects have achieved GBCA 5 Star Green Star ratings:

 

 

Property Council of Australia
(PCA)

Xsquared Architects is a member of the PCA, which seeks to advocate on property industry issues and champion a strong industry on behalf of those who own, manage and develop property. Our Director, Peter Scott, is the Immediate Past Tasmanian President and Associate, Erin Rockliffe, is a committee member.

Learning Environments
Australasia (LEA)

Our Director, Alex Newman, is the Treasurer of the Tasmanian Chapter of LEA, which promotes quality design of learning spaces and professional development for educators, architects, designers and decision-makers.

Our Corporate Partnerships

As part of our mission to provide leadership to our community Xsquared Architects currently sponsors two corporate partners; The Link Youth Health Service and the Property Council of Australia Tasmania Division.

The Link Youth Health Service

The Link Youth Health Service provides support to young people in Hobart including free and confidential health and wellbeing services for those aged 12-25 and is the lead agency for headspace Hobart. Our involvement with The Link from 2022 has included:

  • Donation of two life saving defibrillators for the two buildings in Liverpool Street
  • Sponsorship of a youth reference group member to attend the headspace National Forum in Melbourne
  • Donation of a mobile phone charging station for The Link open access area and for use at community events
  • Sponsorship of a youth reference group member to attend another national health or headspace conference in 2023-24
  • Staff giving their time to pack free personal hygiene packs which are available for distribution on a needs basis.

More on The Link Youth Health Service

Property Council of Australia
Tasmania Division

Our sponsorship of the Property Council enables the Tasmania Division to hold networking events to bring property and construction industry participants together to hear influential guest speakers.  Events we sponsor have included the annual Christmas luncheon, breakfast with the Premier and the inaugural International Women’s Day luncheon. This partnership began in 2018.

More on the Property Council

Other Significant Partnerships

Xsquared Architects contributed to the Tasmanian performing arts sector through sponsorship of Theatre Royal productions over a nine year period from 2011.

X Squared + Headspace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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