Conrad Gargett leaders expand Health, Defence + Heritage expertise
Today four accomplished leaders from Conrad Gargett step into key sector roles at Architectus, another milestone in our evolution as a unified practice with the knowledge and skills clients need to take on increasingly complex design challenges.
The new leaders will strengthen our offer in sectors that have earned the 133-year-old architecture practice an excellent reputation for their portfolio in Health, Defence and Heritage as well as in Infrastructure.
Conrad Gargett’s Managing Director, Lawrence Toaldo, has become Group Director Health, Defence, and Heritage, a crucial strategic role as we continue to merge our teams, positioning them to deliver the best service and design outcomes across those expanding spheres of work.
Another highly experienced design professional from Conrad Gargett, Director Rebecca Moore, will step in as Sector Leader Health, while two more of the firm’s respected senior team members – Principal David Gole and Director Gillian Donaldson – will join as Sector Leader Heritage and Sector Leader Infrastructure, respectively.
In addition, 15 Principals will bring further experience and expertise from Conrad Gargett to our combined leadership team.
Architectus CEO Ray Brown said, “The appointments demonstrate how quickly and smoothly our teams have progressed this integration, which has made us one of the largest design practices in Australasia.”
“It’s a testament to all the synergies between our firms – from our design ethos to our studio culture to our client-led approach,” Ray added. “Our outlook and strategy are fully aligned, especially in key sectors that will only get stronger with today’s leadership changes.”
“We look forward to working more closely with this outstanding group from Conrad Gargett, whose insight and design leadership will benefit our clients and our design teams at Architectus.”
Here’s a brief introduction to our new leaders, with links to their detailed profiles.
Lawrence Toaldo
Group Director, Health, Defence and Heritage
Lawrence moves effortlessly between sectors and typologies, resolving even the most complex brief through open, responsive consultation that results in enduring architecture reflecting a collective vision. His Health portfolio includes the Frankston Hospital Redevelopment in Victoria and the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital in New South Wales. His deep experience in Defence covers major sustainment and capability projects for the Air Force, Army and Navy, while his Heritage projects deftly blend past and present, including on the redevelopment of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral Precinct in Brisbane.
Rebecca Moore
Sector Leader Health + Science
Rebecca’s portfolio demonstrates her vast experience in design and project management, both locally and internationally. A trusted leader who is particularly skilled at navigating large, complex healthcare projects, she works closely with clients and communities to understand their objectives and create purposeful architecture layered with innovation, research, and inspiration. Her Health sector clients include the Department of Health in Queensland and Victoria, Mater Group, Monash Health, and the University of Queensland. Her notable projects include Victorian Heart Hospital, Mater Hospital South Brisbane and Queensland Children’s Hospital, alongside many health and science-related strategic business cases.
David Gole
Sector Leader Heritage
David’s passion is connecting people and communities to their heritage places, and he has built a local and global reputation for outstanding work in the conservation of heritage buildings and sites as well as adaptive reuse and contemporary additions to keep these places thriving in the future. His projects include the redevelopment of Queensland Ballet’s Thomas Dixon Centre, the Rockhampton Art Museum (part of the Quay Street Cultural Precinct), and the conservation and renovation of Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the UN Economic Commission for Africa. David has trained and worked extensively overseas, most recently with The Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles.
Gillian Donaldson
Sector Leader Infrastructure
Gillian leads a sector that’s part of a broader Architectus portfolio focused on systems that move people, goods, information, and resources. Her project experience spans a variety of sectors, with specialist expertise in retail, mixed-use, industrial, and commercial development. A highly organised designer skilled at decoding complex project and stakeholder environments and managing challenging deadlines, Gillian is also adept at developing feasibility studies, managing contracts, and overseeing design and documentation on projects. Her achievements include everything from leading successful rollouts for retail chains to negotiating for clients so they secure the best lease terms and fit out scope on leasehold sites.
