New Senior Associates in Melbourne

Culture / News / Studio News 23 February 2026 Share

DesignInc Melbourne is proud to announce the promotion of Ellen Wilkinson, Ashwin Murari and Damien Ferlazzo, to Senior Associate, recognising their contribution as leaders, collaborators and mentors within our practice and the broader industry.

Together, they represent the strength of our people-first culture: a commitment to design excellence, technical depth, and the belief that architecture can meaningfully improve the everyday experiences of communities.

Ellen, Ashwin and Damien each embody the values that define our practice — leadership grounded in collaboration, technical excellence and a deep commitment to creating places that enhance community wellbeing. Their promotions recognise not only their individual strengths, but the collective contribution they make to DesignInc’s culture and the quality of the work we deliver.
Stephen Webb, Design Director

Ellen Wilkinson

A respected architect and leader across both bespoke and large-scale project environments, Ellen has built a reputation as a key collaborator within the education sector. With two decades of experience, she brings clarity, empathy and strategic design thinking to every project.

Ellen’s promotion reflects her significant influence on the design of learning environments that prioritise transparency, accessibility, inclusivity and wellbeing. Her work on an extensive range of educational facilities demonstrates her ability to translate pedagogical aspirations into thoughtful built outcomes.

For Ellen, this step is “a meaningful recognition of the work, growth and commitment” she brings to the practice. She is most proud of the strong relationships she has built with clients, consultants and her team — relationships grounded in collaboration and a shared drive for positive impact. Looking ahead, Ellen is energised by the opportunity to take on an expanded leadership role, mentor emerging designers, and continue shaping DesignInc’s contribution to education and community architecture.

Ellen is a respected leader whose depth of knowledge across the education sector continues to strengthen our practice. Her ability to translate pedagogical intent into meaningful built outcomes makes her an invaluable collaborator for clients and a role model within the studio.
DesignInc Directors

Ashwin Murari

A dynamic architect known for his deep knowledge of construction systems and digital collaboration, Ashwin has become a pivotal technical and project leader within DesignInc. His work spans defence, education, community, aged care and civic infrastructure — each project strengthened by his commitment to high-quality, buildable design.

Ashwin’s progression acknowledges his contributions to major projects such as the Melton Hospital, Glenroy Community Hub, HMAS Cerberus Redevelopment, and Jewish Care’s Anne and Eric Smorgon Active Living Centre. He is recognised for his ability to solve complex design challenges with clarity and calm, while fostering strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams.

“This promotion represents both recognition and responsibility,” Ashwin reflects. “It reinforces my commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for clients and the practice.” In his new role, he looks forward to contributing more deeply to design direction, project delivery, and ongoing practice excellence.

Ashwin brings an exceptional blend of technical expertise, system fluency and collaborative leadership. His contribution to complex projects — including his current role leading multiple workstreams for the new Melton Hospital — reflects the calibre and integrity he brings to every challenge.
DesignInc Directors

Damien Ferlazzo

Damien is a passionate project leader, mentor and technical specialist with over 20 years of experience. His contributions extend beyond project delivery—he is a driving force behind DesignInc Melbourne’s learning and development culture, designing training programs and providing ongoing mentoring that supports the growth of emerging designers.

Damien brings a strong focus on sustainable building performance, detailed resolution and innovation across community, education, defence and aged care projects.

For Damien, this promotion “represents trust and recognition of the contribution I’ve made to the culture, technical leadership and ongoing development of the practice.” He looks forward to continuing to refine how we design, document and collaborate — championing incremental improvements that deliver long-term value for clients and communities.

Damien is a team leader, mentor and technical specialist with a unique mix of people-focused leadership and deep design knowledge. His commitment to professional development has elevated capabilities across our studio and made him a trusted resource for colleagues and clients alike.
DesignInc Directors

Strengthening our culture of leadership

These promotions reflect DesignInc Melbourne’s commitment to fostering a studio where people can grow, lead and shape the future of architecture. Ellen, Ashwin and Damien each bring a unique blend of expertise — from pedagogical design and technical delivery to systems thinking and industry mentorship. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the continued impact they will make within our team, our projects and the communities we serve.