HDR Bolsters Defence & Aviation Capability With Appointment of Associate Principal Kate Macdonald
HDR has appointed Kate Macdonald as associate principal, defence and aviation, to bolster its strategic expertise within the Australian architecture studio.
In her role, Macdonald will collaborate with HDR Architecture Managing Principal Huai Lim, Federal Principal Tim Napper, and the country’s 120-strong architectural practice to deliver complex, highly technical projects and programs. Additionally, she will engage with HDR’s global multidisciplinary practice — including building engineering, aviation and transportation — to meet the evolving needs of these highly technical sectors with integrated, high-performance solutions.
“I’m looking forward to pairing HDR’s global knowledge exchange with my Defence and aviation expertise to deliver human-centred projects that will enhance our minimum viable capability edge,” Macdonald said. “With challenging drivers for Defence infrastructure, I am committed to fostering collaboration with clients and contractors from the outset of a project — drawing on my people-centric approach and strong client relationships to deliver successful outcomes for all stakeholders.”
Macdonald joins HDR from Cox Architecture. Prior to this, she spent 20 years as director at Alasdair Macdonald Architects, a renowned Australian practice founded by her father. With transdisciplinary experience across Defence, aviation, transport and tertiary education, Macdonald has delivered deeply technical projects for the Department of Defence, Qantas Airways Limited, Airservices Australia, Northrop Grumman, Transport for New South Wales, Newcastle Airport Pty Ltd, Wagga Wagga Airport, Albury Airport, the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales.
Macdonald’s well-regarded expertise in aviation has seen her design everything from airport terminals to aerobridges, aircraft hangars, simulator training facilities, freight and logistics buildings, offices, amenities and associated ancillary buildings. Her specialised knowledge has culminated in the delivery of multiple commercial aviation, Defence aviation, and customer-centric projects.
“My diverse sector experience has cultivated a more innovative, multilateral approach to my work in Defence and aviation infrastructure design,” Macdonald said. “It has not only fostered a more holistic understanding of place-based innovation, but it has reinforced the importance of measuring social, ecological, cultural, workforce and financial subsets of projects at every stage of the design journey, regardless of the project’s scale.”
“Kate’s depth and breadth of experience will supercharge our Australian practice at a time when our markets and services are focused on delivering mission- and data-informed, human-centred projects that serve as a force multiplier for Defence,” said Susana Erpestad, global director of federal architecture at HDR. “It is a pleasure to have Kate on board at a critical time for Australia’s national security. We look forward to providing integrated solutions to clients as one HDR.”
