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
commercial
- Olive Tree Construction
- O’Neill & Brown Group
- Projex
- RAMS
- SERENDIA
- ShevGroup
- VLZ Construction
- ZAPARI
homes
- Beachline Constructions
- Bright House
- D3 Projects
- DAWE Constructions
- Impact Constructions ACT
- MJ Building and Construction
- Third Generation Building
team stories
Nabil Adhami – Director / 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 – Director / Urban Designer
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).
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.
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.
Jovan van Kampen – Registered Architect
Jovan joined our team in 2024 as a Registered Architect and project leader, bringing over 25 years of experience across cultural, educational, residential, commercial, and community projects. He brings a rigorous and methodical approach to architecture, with a strong focus on buildability, compliance, and user experience.
Prior to joining Adhami Pender Architecture, Jovan led and contributed to a range of complex public and educational projects, including the Australian War Memorial Anzac Hall, Canberra Grammar School Auditorium, and the Burgmann Anglican School Senior Science Centre, demonstrating his ability to manage technically demanding and highly regulated designs with clarity and precision.
At Adhami Pender Architecture, Jovan supports the delivery of key projects and provides mentoring input across the studio where required, offering considered advice on buildability, compliance, and technical resolution on projects.
Outside of practice, Jovan enjoys playing soccer and has a long-standing love of music, with a growing vinyl collection. He is also a LEGO collector.
Jakub Beseda – Architectural Designer / BIM Technician
Jakub joined our team in 2025, bringing with him a multidisciplinary background in architecture, urban planning, and visual communication – developed through his experiences across several established practices. He has worked across educational, residential, commercial and public projects, integrating creative design thinking with strong technical expertise in detailing and documentation.
Jakub has a particular strength in coordinating complex information and translating it into clear, buildable design outcomes. His collaborative and methodical approach supports effective coordination with consultants and project teams, contributing to a well-resolved and high-quality project delivery.
Jakub has contributed to major projects including QPRC Civic & Cultural Precinct, SOHO Apartments, and Willinga Park Equestrian Centre prior to joining our studio.
At Adhami Pender Architecture, Jakub supports the leadership of the practice on key projects and shares his in depth knowledge of revit with the team on a regular basis.
Outside of work, Jakub is passionate about photography. He has a particular interest in exploring architectural and aerial images and how built environment is captured. His work is characterised by a distinctive visual style and a strong understanding of light, form, and composition, allowing him to capture built environment with clarity and a unique perspective.
Farnaz Geramian – Architectural Designer
Farnaz joined our team in 2025 as an Architectural Designer, bringing over 18 years of experience across architecture, interior design, and visualisation. She has practiced as a registered architect overseas and brings more than four years of professional experience within the Australian context. Her background spans residential, commercial, and refurbishment projects, with experience working as a project architect, interior architect, senior designer, and 3D visualisation specialist
Farnaz contributes to projects from concept through to construction, with a strong focus on design, visualisaton, and interior finishing. She is highly experienced in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, consultants, builders, and clients to deliver clear, accurate, and well-coordinated design outcomes.
Farnaz is involved across several residential and multi-residential projects, contributing effectively to both design development and documentation. Farnaz supports the leadership of the practice, working collaboratively to achieve beauty in design and pragmatism in project delivery.
Away from the studio, Farnaz enjoys gardening and creative handcraft, including painting. Some of her works are displayed in her home, reflecting her ongoing engagement with making and creativity beyond architecture.
Bo (Thammanoon Kimsat) – Office Manager / Architectural Assistant
Bo joined our team in 2024 as Office Manager / Architectural Assistant, providing architectural support across drawing production and day-to-day project assistance, alongside the general administration and coordination of the practice. With formal training in architecture and over a decade of experience in operations and the commercial sector, Bo brings a calm, methodical, and solution-focused approach to supporting both project delivery and studio operations.
His background across architecture, commercial practice outside the architectural sector, and creative work strengthens his communication skills and problem-solving ability, contributing to the smooth coordination, organisation, and delivery of work across the studio.
In his spare time, Bo enjoys playing soccer and unwinding with his vinyl collection. He also spends much of his free time walking and playing with his two dogs, which is his favourite way to reset outside the studio.