WHO ARE WE
OUR APPROACH
Studio 26 seeks to sync local knowledge of the Hunter region with experience gathered from working throughout Australia and overseas.
Whether creating a community for people to playgrounds, our design process is focused on bringing together and expressing the essential qualities of place, the landscape, its history, social rituals and cultural significance. Studio 26 design solutions that aim to challenge the way people interact with the surroundings and invite people of all ages to interact with nature in original ways.
The Studio 26 design process stresses the importance of:
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Building a respectful relationship with the client,
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Community relationships,
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Research and evidence-based design.
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These three elements help to create high-quality designs to exceed all expectations.
Why Studio 26
Key reasons why Studio 26 are the best fit to partner with:
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Extensive experience working within and with Local Councils to deliver positive outcomes for the community to benefit from;
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Being based in the Hunter area and can be available for local meetings, site investigations and presentations;
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Involvement from planning to implementation of key large infrastructure projects in Newcastle;
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Has worked with businesses directly to improve public domain and place activation measure to create a vibrant feel to encourage visitors and customers.
Core Values
Great places don’t just happen; they are created by many individuals coming together to bring ideas to the table. Studio 26 core values are:
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Creating great places through evidenced base design for the wellbeing of the community and environment.
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To design places for all users to enjoy.
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To create a space that is well-designed and can provide countless opportunities to be physically active, relax, de-stress, socialise and enjoy music, arts etc. This, in itself, creates a design that is resilient and diverse.
ESTHER HERMANS
DIRECTOR
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Esther started Studio 26 Urban Design in March 2020 having over 19 years experience that has seen her work across Australia, The United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, parts of Asia and the Middle East. She has worked extensively in both private and public sectors which have provided her with a diverse body of work.
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Having worked in recent years in Local Government, Esther is familiar with legislative requirements, statutory and authority approvals, strategic directions and policies and the sensitivities of working within a political environment.
NICK WINSLADE
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
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Nick has extensive experience across all project phases from inception and brief development, design development, detail design, preparation of contract documentation and construction stage services.
During Nick’s extensive career he has been involved in the project management and delivery of several large public infrastructure projects, most note worthy was the design and implementation of the London Underground’s way finding and advertising boards.
