Kristen Whittle

“I’m excited to work with the design teams across the practice to create places that are not only beautifully designed, but smarter, adaptable and more impactful.” 

In an industry where professionals are often boxed into rigid definitions - the visionary designers or the technical delivery experts - Kristen seamlessly bridges both worlds. Over a 25-year career he has earned a reputation for shaping bold design concepts, winning client trust, and ensuring those ideas are built flawlessly.

His folio includes some of Australia’s most celebrated civic landmarks, notably the award-winning New Royal Children’s Hospital and Bendigo Hospital. His global perspective is equally evident in major offshore commissions, most recently leading the design of the new Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. He has also shaped Melbourne’s skyline with premium high-rises like 35 Spring Street and BHP’s Global Headquarters.

At Hassell, Kristen will focus on positioning the firm at the forefront of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and accelerating growth across the health, residential, and mixed-use sectors. Working with advanced, repeatable manufacturing systems, his goal is to shift the conversation away from isolated, one-off projects toward smarter, highly sustainable program delivery.

Drawn by Hassell’s collaborative culture and commitment to social responsibility, Kristen is focused on unlocking the next wave of projects, mentoring the next generation of design talent, and proving that commercial rigour and design excellence don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Key projects

• 35 Spring Street*
• VRC Club Stand at Flemington Racecourse*
• BHP’s Global Headquarters*
• Royal Children’s Hospital*
• Bendigo Hospital*
• Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C.*
• Collins House (the world’s tallest prefabricated building at the time of completion)*
  
  *Prior to Hassell