A New Chapter for Cottee Parker Perth - A Conversation with Nic MacCormac

What attracted you to becoming part of the next chapter for Cottee Parker Perth?

There are many reasons why I was drawn to working with Cottee Parker, but the fundamental reason was the opportunity to become part of a truly national operation with an established presence in WA.

My appointment will allow me to continue developing portfolios in Defence, Transport, and Education with the support of a larger organisation. After a couple of months of road-testing the relationship, I'm pleased to say that all my expectations have been thoroughly exceeded, and I think it's fair to say the feeling is mutual.

What excites you most about leading the Perth studio?

The first thing I noticed was how strong the team already is. There's a great mix of talent, collaboration and ambition, and it's easy to see why the Perth studio has built such a strong reputation.

Naveen Dath, Steve Christie, Jason Alexander and the wider team have been performing phenomenally over the last couple of years, and they've built an enviable portfolio of city-shaping projects, earning the trust of clients including Far East Consortium, Golden Sedayu and SKS Group. I'm energised to be adding my own experience to that body of work, as well as providing additional capability to the national group.

What experience are you bringing to the team?

I've been fortunate to spend more than 25 years working across a diverse range of sectors and scales. Cottee Parker is well-known for its work in the living space, and while this makes up the dominant portion of my career historically, I'd say my skill sets in these mainstream markets have been enhanced through my experience in the highly regulated state and federal government realm, where projects often carry heavy-duty engineering and security overlays.

With Cotee Parker, I have an opportunity to combine my local knowledge and transport precinct experience from around Australia with the high-density residential development opportunities presenting as a natural progression from the state government's Metronet program.

Cottee Parker has a One Studio approach. How important was that?

My first impression of the Perth studio was the strong sense of family in the team. On a recent trip to Brisbane, it was heartening to see that reflected nationally through each of the other studios. Cottee Parker's 'One Studio' approach is more than just a slogan - you can see it in effect, bonding the 140-strong cohort across Australia and New Zealand. Working collaboratively as one studio is a regular reminder that we're all in this together and all pulling in the same direction. Having worked across several different practice models, I can bring a firsthand perspective on how the Perth studio can thrive as a single business under the One Studio model.

Beyond Perth, where else do you see opportunities?

Both Naveen and I have been looking beyond our shores. Landmark projects like Queen's Wharf in Brisbane demonstrate what the practice is capable of on the world stage. That kind of experience opens doors, and we're already exploring opportunities in the northern hemisphere off the back of that project.

You describe this move as something of a homecoming. Why?

Returning to Murray Street feels like coming full circle. I spent a good portion of my career just down the road, and some of my best memories are tied to this part of Perth. It's nice when your professional journey and your personal story intersect again.

Architecture runs in your family. Has that influenced the way you practise?

Absolutely. As a second-generation architect, I've had incredible access to a mentor in my father, Kym, who's still practicing today. This access was a game-changer in my foundational years. He's taught me that architecture is about relationships just as much as design and buildings. That perspective has shaped how I work with clients, how I lead teams, and how I mentor younger architects. I'm at the age now where I'm seeing people I've mentored achieve their goals themselves, and I find that very rewarding.

Looking ahead, what excites you most?

I’m excited about continuing the legacy of Perth leader Ivan Machin as he embarks on his next chapter, there's real momentum here. Cottee Parker has an exciting pipeline of major projects ahead, building on the impressive body of work we already have in Western Australia through projects like Elizabeth Quay and Perth City Link.

I'm looking forward to working alongside Naveen to build on that foundation, strengthen our presence across established and emerging sectors, and continue delivering projects that make a lasting contribution to the built environment in Perth.