Abbie Galvin
CityLab is a professional consultancy with a singular focus on making better cities through design expertise, strategic thinking and effective delivery. We are committed to fair and equitable procurement processes, ensuring the best ideas rise to the top. We work with both public and private clients to ensure each project is built on a strong foundation, with a rich brief, a rigorous procurement process and a collaborative network of advisors and jury members.
CityLab is Australia’s number one design procurement consultancy, with experience working at all scales, from large to small, and in every state across the country. We pride ourselves on delivering systems and processes that both clients and design professionals trust. We are laser-focussed on delivering the highest design standards while meeting all technical and legislative project requirements.
The Team
CityLab is a small team of design professionals with deep roots in Australia’s built environment. We have extensive experience in assembling the best teams of people to deliver the best project solutions.
Director
Andrew Mackenzie
Andrew Mackenzie is the Founding Director of CityLab. He has advised on competitions in every state in Australia, assisting both local and state government, as well as universities, cultural institutions, corporations and development authorities.
With over two decades of skill and experience working in the architectural sector Andrew is well placed to assist in the management and delivery of architectural procurement processes, with particular experience in complex design briefs. Andrew is also an architectural writer with a strong industry profile as a strategic design thinker and communicator. He hosts numerous design events, was a Creative Director of the 2015 AIA National Conference and is the Creative Director of Living Cities.
Associate
Annie Ryan
Annie is an Associate at CityLab. She works closely with the Director across all projects ensuring the timely delivery of programmes and a rigorous approach to document preparation. Her responsibilities range from compiling and reviewing design briefs, to liaising with clients and stakeholders. Annie has experience working in the design industry as an architectural assistant, and having graduated with a Master of Architecture, assists with the review and preparation of technical site information and architectural drawings.
Design Competition Coordinator
Marita Kaji-O’Grady
Marita has worked at CityLab since 2018 and provides project support to the Director, ensuring seamless project timelines and the meticulous organisation of CityLab’s operations. Marita liaises with clients and stakeholders and assists in the preparation of documents for competitions.
Project Officer
Phillip Pender
Phillip is the Project Officer at CityLab and works closely with the Director, Associate and Design Competition Coordinator to support the management of procurement processes. Phillip is also involved in industry research, design, architectural advice and workshop coordination. Phillip has a Master's in Architecture and prior experience working within the architecture industry.
Wellbeing Officer
Wilbur Mackenzie
Wilbur is an integral team member at CityLab, ensuring that the team maintains a healthy work life balance. Wilbur’s roles include monitoring productivity levels and managing tea breaks.
Design expertise
CityLab has longstanding connections with numerous design experts who are vital in the procurement process of high-quality architecture and design. Some of our recent design experts include:
Corbett Lyon
● Founding Director, Lyons
Francine Houben
● Founding Director, Mecanoo
Geoffrey London
● Emeritus Professor of Architecture, University of Western Australia
Jeremy McLeod
● Founding Director, Breathe Architecture and Founder, Nightingale Housing
Jill Garner
● Victorian Government Architect and Principal, Garner Davis Architects
Jocelyn Chiew
● Director of City Design, City of Melbourne
John Choi
● Founding Partner, CHROFI
Kirsteen Mackay
● South Australian Government Architect
Sadie Morgan
● Director, dRMM and Commissioner of the National Infrastructure Commission UK
Sarah Lynn Rees
● Associate and Lead Indigenous Advisor, Jackson Clements Burrows Architects
Xu Tiantian
● Founding Principal, DnA Design and Architecture
COLLABORATORS
CityLab also works with a range of consultants whose expertise is tailored to each project every step of the way. The suite of consultants that we can either directly engage, or engage through the client, includes buildability consultants, sustainability experts, planners, First Nations design consultants, writers and proof editors, graphic designers, legal and probity advisors, quantity surveyors, and other technical specialists.
