CKDS - Key Persons
With more than 10 years' experience in commercial and residential architecture, Ben has lead and delivered an array of project types and sizes with a focus on quality design outcomes.
With a particular focus on education and residential focused projects Ben has overseen and guided the process from the initial project feasibility through to design, documentation, procurement and delivery.
He has a strong association with the Newcastle and Central Coast regions and is dedicated to seeing these areas reach their full potential through the creation of a high quality built environment and development of public spaces.
With a vision for architecture to perfectly blend both creative and technical fields, Ben has progressed through his study and profession and gained valuable insight into the impact of the built environment on people and how they interact, use and feel in created spaces. One of Ben's key drivers is to push himself to deliver spaces that people not only enjoy but help to improve the overall built environment.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Senior Principal
- Founding Director and Principal Architect of CKDS Architecture
As Founding Director and Principal Architect of CKDS Architecture, Caine leads the team at its Central Coast based practice. His specialised skills focus on finding the optimum commercial and architectural solution while effectively delivering a project from inception through to completion.
Caine is a diverse and talented architect with a broad range of experience across various project typologies. His expertise ranges from feasibility and early conceptual studies through to onsite delivery. Caine has a keen interest in environmentally sustainable development and constantly challenges the parameters and constraints of current projects to arrive at exceptional and innovative design with sustainable outcomes.
His extensive experience and knowledge covers educational projects, residential (large and small), clubs, hospitality, health (regional public hospital projects), commercial and retail fit outs, masterplanning and feasibility studies. Additionally, his health experience includes a range of project delivery methodologies involving full documentation and tender, design and construct, and design development.
Caine is active in supporting and promoting the architectural services sector through his roles as committee member of Urban Development Institute Australia (UDIA) - Central Coast Chapter, committee member of the AIA Central Coast Chapter and as former Chair of the Australian Institute Architects (AIA) Awards - Newcastle Chapter.
Christina is inspired by architecture's ability to enrich lives through thoughtful design connecting people and place. Passionate about successful design outcomes and sustainability, Christina has extensive experience across a multitude of project typologies including alterations and additions, aged care, educational, mixed-use, and multi-residential developments. Christina is skilled at delivering projects, unpacking the brief and project requirements, design problem solving and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve successful design outcomes.
Job Titles:
- Xeriscapes Landscape Architect Director
Geoff is a highly experienced landscape architect, well versed in all phases of landscape architectural project delivery from concept design, design development through to documentation and construction supervision. His portfolio also covers project work within the landscape construction industry.
Geoff's work has involved landscape masterplans, public domain, recreational open spaces (active and passive), social housing, residential (single dwelling, medium and high density residential), commercial, industrial, community and residential aged care projects.
Job Titles:
- Architect
- Senior Associate
- Registered Architect
James is a talented architect who is pasionate about design excellence. He is an associate at CKDS and brings a wide range of skills to the team.
James is detail orientated and focused on quality outcomes, he has a broad range of experience across various project sectors. His most recent experience includes commercial, aged care, mixed-use projects and single commission residential developments.
in 2019 James became a Registered Architect. He is continually focused on expanding his knowledge base and skills within the field of architecture.
Through architectural practice, James enjoys interpreting the client's aspirations with innovative design solutions.
Joel is a skilled and experienced architect with a depth of knowledge in planning, designing, detailing and coordinating built projects, in both the public and private sectors.
His experience ranges from large scale, complex developments to small, boutique projects. He has a passion for designing architectural spaces that maximise light and optimise the user experience. With a strong focus on attention to detail and an understanding of engineering and building service principles Joel delivers quality documentation that is efficient and accurate.
Joel understands developers' core drivers and key considerations and transfers his experience to new situations, enabling successful innovation.
His attraction to architecture was the notion of a profession with an ‘artful purpose' that combined the creative with the practical. Joel believes the pursuit of design in architecture has the real potential to transcend the purely pragmatic and create spaces that respond to our environment and sense of wellbeing.
Since joining CKDS, Josie has been involved in a broad range of projects from smaller scale residential alterations and additions, to larger scale commercial, mixed-use and multi residential developments.
Josie has developed a particular interest in sporting and recreation buildings and has had the opportunity to work on some unique developments located in Sydney and on the Central Coast.
She is currently developing her passion to design unique architecture that both complements the surrounding environment and serves as iconic structures in the local community.
With an interest in the relationship between people and their environments, and the way both are transformed by the other, Laure enjoys the multi-faceted and complex nature of Architecture.
A part of the CKDS team since 2017, Laure has been involved in all aspects of a project from the early design sketches to the construction phase with a particular focus on construction documentation, specification writing and project coordination.
Laure has worked on many different project types, from residential to commercial fitouts, and has developed a strong interest in educational facilities, community spaces and specialist disability accomodation for their focus on a user-led design approach.
Job Titles:
- Architect
- Senior Associate
Matthew is a talented architect with a strong passion for design excellence in architecture. He is a registered architect and has had extensive experience in all stages of the construction process, from concept design through to construction documentation.
His experience spans various sectors including health care, seniors living, education, commercial and hopsitality.
Matthew also has a strong interest in innovation and technology. He has experience leading BIM coordination on projects and is highly skilled in the use and application of ArchiCAD.
Matthew will ensure your project is at the leading edge of design and technology.
Job Titles:
- Project Architect
- Senior Associate
Paul has more than three decades' experience in architectural practice. He has been involved in a wide range of projects from small fitouts to large scale institutional projects, servicing private clients, local governments, developers, corporate organisations and tertiary education institutions.
Paul strongly believes that clear and open communication between clients and their architect is vital to the success of all projects, regardless of scale. His ability to provide a personable approach has helped to establish and maintain open and collaborative relationships throughout his work.
His project involvement covers all stages from masterplanning through to documentation, and he has developed extensive on site experience during the construction stages.
Paul has particular knowledge regarding aquatic and recreational projects, along with a full understanding of their operational and safety needs. Many of these projects were local government operated facilities, which require due consideration to local community needs. Paul has also worked on a number of public libraries and other community projects, and is passionate about creating quality civic facilities that not only meet community needs, but also become landmarks within their environment.
Since joining CKDS, Paul has been the Project Architect for a number of multi-residential projects including Waterside (500 units), Merindah (140 Units), Bonython Tower (56 Units), Canton Beach (80 Units), and Ormond Street (80 Units).
Other areas of project focus include seniors living, dementia facilities, and tertiary education. Paul was also the Project Architect for Dairy Farmers for more than 15 years, and has expertise in the planning of process plants and distribution facilities.
Since 1995 Paul has been actively involved with quality assurance management, and has developed specific quality management systems, incorporating WHS and environmental management.
Sarah is a dedicated associate with experience in a broad range of projects from small-scale residences and interior fitouts to large-scale commerical and multi-residential developments. She has been involved in all stages of the design process, from concept design through to construction documentation and on-site services. Sarah became a registered architect in 2015. Her strong attention to detail and focus on achieving quality design solutions drive her to continually expand her skills and knowledge in the field of architecture.
Sarah has a passion for creative design solutions, project detailing, and the administration and management of projects. She is committed to providing quality design outcomes that are both innovative and responsive to the needs of the clients and the surrounding environment.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Senior Principal
- Director and Principal Architect of CKDS Architecture
As Director and Principal Architect of CKDS Architecture, Stuart leads the Newcastle office. His vast experience, high level expertise and excellent work ethics collectively support and underpin his key focus of achieving quality design solutions.
Stuart's career covers extensive involvement in the design and documentation of small, medium and large scale projects. He played an instrumental role in Newcastle's city centre revitalisation through the design leadership of three large-scale commercial and residential projects on key sites including The Gateway Parry Development project - Stages 1-2 and the Verve Residences. These impressive developments successfully navigated the ‘Design Excellence' process as defined by the NSW State Government Architects.
Stuart's varied involvement across a wide range of projects has exposed him to the diverse needs of clients, consultants and end users. This level of engagement has enhanced his ability to meaningfully connect clients with their specific project team to create successful results.
Stuart has lectured and tutored third and fourth year architecture students at the University of Newcastle. Focusing mainly on design development, he has helped influence and further enhance his professional design skills which have been integrated within the office environment.