about
Adhami Pender Architecture is an established boutique design studio with an expansive portfolio in both commercial and residential projects. For twenty years, we have undertaken projects in the Canberra, New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria regions.
Our projects have included schools, childcare centres, workplace design, embassies, emergency services, health facilities, animal health, retail and many forms of housing for both public and private clients.
We strive to achieve a unity of beauty, spirit & form in every project we deliver. Our architectural practice is always perceptive, sensitive and attuned to the environment.
We seek new challenges and celebrate differences in people by tuning into their whole being — mind, body, soul and spirit — both rationally and intuitively. We listen to people and collaborate, we do not believe in fashion, we improvise, adapt, and try new approaches.
For us, each project is a new opportunity to learn from the past, but also build for the future.
Our team has a diverse range of skills and experience, keeping our work agile and allowing us to do different things at different times.
We are proud of our reputation of always providing a bespoke approach, allowing process to lead instead of a predetermined outcome.
We seek out and create synergies and weave the constraints inherent in every project into a thoughtful and cohesive opportunity. We have a streamlined, intelligent, and evidence-based design process and use the latest technology to efficiently meet your time and budget aspirations.
We always put relationships first and strive to bring all our stakeholders – clients, consultants, contractors, and authorities – on the journey.
partners
homes
- D3 Projects
- Bright House
- Beachline Constructions
- Impact Constructions ACT
- DAWE Constructions
team stories
Nabil Adhami – Registered Architect
Nabil’s leadership of the team instils a design sensitivity and responsiveness that has been highly regarded in the community for over 20 years.
His practice incorporates a fresh breath of Eastern and Australian inspired design to his designs and to the studio.
A registered architect, and a graduated from the University of Canberra, with a major in interior architecture, Nabil has also studied in Thailand and Finland focusing on urban design, solar passive, passiv haus, and energy efficient construction across a variety of building typologies and climates.
Over the years, working at Jackson Architecture, in partnership with peckvonhartel architects, and Anna Pender (architect) has opened Nabil up to a range of bespoke to large scale projects.
Nabil’s experience includes work on many forms of boutique residential projects, schools, childcare centres, embassies and diplomatic missions, indoor sports facilities, government and private office accommodation, retail, and master planning.
Nabil has a passion for architectural lighting, and creating spaces that inspire the senses. Outside of work he enjoys spending extended time in cooking a range of cuisines, either coaching or playing on the soccer field and is a self-confessed ice cream addict.
Angus Harker – Urban Designer / Graduate of Architecture
Angus Harker joined our practice in 2019.
Graduating with a Master of Architecture from the University of Newcastle and Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Design from University of Melbourne, Angus brings with him over 10 years of experience in masterplanning, urban design, commercial feasability studies, and a wide range of mixed-use, medium and high-density residential projects.
Angus worked with several national architecture practices in Sydney and his career highlights thus far include delivering upgrades to the Sydney Opera House and the masterplan for a 960 apartment mixed use development in Sydney’s northwest.
Angus has a strong focus on urban design issues for regional and rural Australia. He sees design as form of problem solving and promotes multi-disciplinary approaches to the built environment.
“I love when architects find thoughtful, clever, and beautiful solutions to unusual briefs or difficult constraints.”
Outside of work Angus is a keen urban cyclist, he was even an Australian Cyclist Party Senate candidate in 2016 (he jokes that this was for a federal election in South Australia, when he has never lived in South Australia).
Marah Gerious – Interior Designer / Lead Architectural Technician
Marah Gerious joined our studio in 2016 with a strong focus on interior architecture and a passion for all elements of design and building strong client relationships.
Marah has completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Canberra, and has quickly developed her skills as a project designer whilst ensuring the highest quality during the delivery phase of projects.
Marah’s attention to detail is second to none, and her determination towards quality both in design and documentation has been welcomed by the team and our clients.
She thoroughly enjoys the process of designing bespoke buildings that are balanced in beauty and function. Her intention is to create spaces that perform well and are responsive to the people occupying them, their lives and their needs.
Marah’s connection with Syria whilst being educated in Australia reinforces the studio’s ability to blend eastern beauty with western pragmatism through our design thinking.
Kendall Gaddes – Interior Designer
Kendall joined our studio at the beginning of 2019 to fulfil the role of interior design lead.
Kendall holds a bachelors degree in Visual Arts and Design from the Australian Catholic University and prior to working in our team holds 8 years of experience working with such firms as Peckvonhartel and Spacelift.
Kendall’s ability to create beautiful and inspiring interior spaces compliments the work of fellow designers at the APA studios. She is passionate about designing non-toxic spaces from environmentally sustainable materials, that promote the holistic health and wellbeing of its inhabitants.
Kendall is well versed in workplace design, and activity based working environments, and she has continued this work with the ACT government since joining our studio.
Kendall’s experience extends to hotel design, retail design, and high quality residential interiors.
At our studios Kendall also carries the role of general office health coach, weaving holistic health practices and wellbeing into her work and collaboration. She is an avid traveller, enjoying treks through Europe with the odd suitcase mishaps here and there.
Shweta Dhongde – Graduate of Architecture
Shweta joined our studio at the start of 2022 after completing a Bachelor of Architecture in India and Master of Architecture at Deakin University in Geelong VIC.
Shweta is passionate about involving herself in culturally engaging and environmentally sensitive projects which represent human interaction with the built environment and is inspired by the integration of craftsmanship with architecture; creating spaces that are thoughtful, mindful, and generous.
Outside of the office she is involved in various volunteering projects and is a traditional and anti-gravity yoga enthusiast.
Noor Fureje – Architectural Assistant / Student of Architecture
Noor is the newest addition to our team, joining at the beginning of 2021.
Her strengths lie in her great eye for attention to detail and enthusiastic character.
Although the least experienced in our team, she’s made a big impact with her diverse way of thinking, drawing inspiration from her Iraqi origins and local environment.
Her sharp 3 dimensional software skills have been an invaluable contribution to the success of our commercial projects in progress.
We are thrilled to have Noor as part of our team, and look forward to her growth as an architect in years to come.