Above: Grant Boshard (right) inspecting plans for Saadiyat Beach Resort, Dubai.
Woods Bagot’s Perth studio has a new director — one with a swathe of heavy hitting lifestyle projects under his belt.
Grant Boshard has more than 15 years’ experience on large-scale architectural projects in the Middle East and South Africa.
A self-confessed “architectural pragmatist”, Boshard has been privy to the volatility faced by the Middle Eastern market during the financial crisis. However, he predicts a return to form for the Perth construction industry.
“Perth seems to be bouncing back pretty quickly,” Boshard said.
“The potential to generate substantial revenue will come from the oil and gas sector, health and government, the ‘West Coast Boom’ and, along with these, a new tide of hotels and residential projects,” he said.
Boshard cut his teeth as project director of Dubai’s $1 billion Saadiyat Beach Resort and has spent the past five years working in the Dubai studio.
“The fundamentals of any architectural project are the same the world over. We want the same outcomes: a building that is easy to build, is well built, and is at the cutting edge of international design. What Woods Bagot wants to continue to do in Perth is to produce well-considered architecture and interiors that answer to the region’s new forward-thinking vision, whilst also setting new standards in project delivery.”
Boshard is positive that the firm’s ‘one global studio’ structure will strengthen the global design intelligence accrued by the Perth studio in servicing local and offshore projects.
“I look forward to harnessing our experience and driving it in a new direction as new market potential means new projects and new people involved in them.”
