Warren and Mahoney has recently announced the appointment of former global head of civic and events at Woods Bagot, Gavin Kain, as principal.

Kain’s two decades of experience has seen him undertake projects and industry roles across the globe, from Vancouver to Dubai, including government design review panels, architectural award juries, and university positions.

Chairman of Warren and Mahoney, John Coop, said it was an ambitious period for the practice and Kain’s appointment aligned with the strategy to develop closer relationships between the seven studios across New Zealand and Australia.

“Gavin’s strength lies in finding the commonalities and differences in each environment,” says Coop. “He is borderless in his outlook, globally aware and very well placed to serve our clients’ interests both in the Asia Pacific and further afield internationally.”

Kain’s expansive expertise will add significant weight to the studio’s capabilities. He is a leader in the design of convention centres, and has been involved in the design of the $400m Adelaide Convention Centre, the NZ$250m Christchurch Convention Centre, the masterplan for the $2b Sydney Convention Centre, as well as the concept design for major facilities in Asia and North America.

“I’m excited to join a company that has global aspirations where the design focus reflects and strengthens communities,” says Kain.

Kain will be based in the Auckland studio and work across projects in both New Zealand and Australia.