Kaaren is a ‘hands-on’ designer possessing strong conceptual and digital design skills, with a passion for learning and discovery.  Kaaren’s design approach stems from her education and experience, focusing on the holistic design of buildings and spaces; using passive environmental design to create places for people that respond to the climate, are innovative and elegant in form, efficient in use and beautiful in detail.  Her global experience to date equips her with the responsiveness and professionalism required for leading large consultant teams, engaging with complex stake-holder structures and collaborating effectively with other designers.  
As a Design Director at AECOM, Kaaren worked to develop a London-based architectural design studio within the global, multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering firm, executing notable projects for the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office including the major refurbishment of the British Embassy in Washington DC together with designs for commercial and other public sector clients.
In 2012 Kaaren established Rutherford Harvey Architecture (RHA) focusing primarily on projects in China in collaboration with 2Define Architecture, a Shanghai based practice.  Prior to establishing RHA she was a Design Director at Mossessian + Partners (now Mossessian Architecture), leading the design team for the Msheireb Downtown Doha project in Qatar and consulting on a number of other projects whilst employed and since.  As a Senior Architect for Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) in Dubai, Kaaren was responsible for liaison with the local client and consultant team for the AS+GG signature buildings and supertall towers within the Jumeira Garden City masterplan.  Kaaren enjoyed 8 years with the London office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill progressing to the level of Associate and Senior Designer / Studio Head, where she led design efforts for numerous large-scale, mixed-use developments including NATO Headquarters in Brussels, award-winning office development Edificio Portico in Madrid and Providence Tower in London.
 
Educated in New Zealand and achieving a first class honours degree in architecture at Victoria University of Wellington, Kaaren went on to tutor design at the University for two further semesters whilst employed as a graduate architect.  As a graduate architect Kaaren worked for Pelorus Architecture and award-winning practice Studio of Pacific Architecture, whilst also completing a number of private commissions prior to immigrating to the UK in 1999. 
Education
University of Westminster, London – RIBA Part III, 2008
Bachelor of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington (1st Class Hons), 1996
Bachelor of Building Science, Victoria University of Wellington (Hons), 1994
Affiliations
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Architect’s Registration Board (ARB)
Awards
MIPIM Future Projects Award 2011, Msheireb Downtown Doha, Doha, Qatar
MIPIM Award for the Best Office Building 2007, Edificio Portico, Madrid, Spain
NZIA Student Travel Award for Bachelor of Architecture - Finalist
NZIA Prize for Bachelor of Building Science - 1st Equal
Citizenships
Naturalised British Citizen
New Zealand Citizen

Previous Work Experience
AECOM                                                                                                                                                                                              Design Director                                                                                                                                                                                February 2015 – July 2020, London, United Kingdom
Kaaren joined AECOM Architecture in 2015 to assist in establishing the London-based design studio with a mandate to lead architectural projects through-out the EMIA region (Europe, The Middle East, India & Africa), capitalising on AECOM’s established global reach and in-house expertise across multiple disciplines.  As a new design entity within AECOM, much of Kaaren’s early work involved proposals, feasibility studies and competitions including the Stratford Waterfront Competition for a new cultural and education landmark development, that adopted a collaborative design approach bringing together five signature London-based architects.
With a successful presentation to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in late 2016 Kaaren has been dedicated to working with the FCO to design and deliver the major refurbishment of the British Embassy in Washington DC.  This project includes the complete upgrade, repair and renovation of the historically significant, Lutyens designed Ambassador’s Residence and Old Chancery Building and an architectural intervention within the 1950’s modernist New Chancery Building, providing exhibition and events spaces together with a full office fit-out for the majority of the building. Other FCO projects include design proposals for a new Chancery Building in Cairo and consulting architecturally on a number of other initiatives around the world. 
Kaaren’s experience at AECOM has focused on the strengths of an in-house multi-disciplinary design and delivery approach, working in collaboration with AECOM’s engineers, project managers and construction services groups.  Key private sector projects include the design for two residential towers in Stratford’s International Quarter London (IQL) and the Long Street project in Shoreditch, London which comprises the refurbishment of two late modernist semi-industrial buildings for residential use and a 10 storey new-build apartment building on a site of ‘left-over’ land adjacent to the railway.
Rutherford Harvey Architecture (RHA)                                                                                                                                              Design Director                                                                                                                                                                                      November 2011 – February 2015, London, United Kingdom 
Kaaren created Rutherford Harvey Architecture (RHA) with Christopher Harvey in January 2012.  The decision to establish this RIBA Chartered Practice was based upon their collective residential and mixed-use project experience globally and in the United Kingdom.  The idea behind the creation of RHA was to bring large-practice expertise to small and medium sized developers in the UK whilst forming collaborative partnerships with other designers to maintain a large scale portfolio.  Collaboration with Shanghai based firm 2Define Architects provided the opportunity to design high profile mixed-use projects and development plans in China. 
RHA completed design projects ranging from domestic renovations, feasibility studies and design prototypes in London to mixed-use developments, a media library, beach resort and office park in China.  Running a private practice allowed Kaaren to understand the challenges and complexities inherent in operating a small office in a highly competitive market including business development and strategic management.  RHA also offered the opportunity to enhance presentation and marketing skills, develop 3D and rendering techniques, design new architectural prototypes and build a library of concept imagery, details, documentation standards and quality management strategies.
Mossessian + Partners                                                                                                                                                                                Design Director                                                                                                                                                                                          August 2009 – November 2011, London, United Kingdom
Kaaren joined Mossessian + Partners upon returning from the United Arab Emirates to assist in the design and execution of the Msheireb Downtown Doha projects.  Michel Mossessian invited Kaaren to help lead the team based on their previous working relationship at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), where together they completed design projects in Lisbon, Slovakia, Dubai and France.    Phase 1B of the Downtown Doha project had been successfully won by Mossessian + Partners prior to Kaaren’s arrival and her role was to develop and supervise a strong design team to execute the project within the challenging timeframe and meet the changing needs of the client.  During this process Kaaren assisted in securing repeat work through winning bids for projects in Phase 1C, Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the development, culminating in the design of 17 buildings within the overall masterplan.  
Kaaren made frequent trips to Doha and the United States to present to the client body and coordinate with the consultant team, including executive architects Gensler, HOK, Aedas and Burns & McDonnell.
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG)
Senior Architect                                                                                                                                                                                        July 2008 – June 2009, Dubai, UAE & Chicago, USA
Kaaren commenced working with AS+GG in the summer of 2008 to assist in the establishment of the firm’s Dubai office.  Following Adrian Smith’s success with the Burj Khalifa whilst a partner at SOM, the new firm looked to expand its presence in the United Arab Emirates with 4 major tower projects that were the catalysts for the Jumiera Garden City masterplan.  Kaaren’s focus was to support the design team in Chicago through liaison with the local client and consultant team whilst helping prepare the office for a long term design and construction presence.  Kaaren also designed office tower proposals for the Atrium City district plan and completed marketing packages for the Jumeira Garden City tower projects.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Associate - Senior Designer/Studio Head                                                                                                                                                    May 2000 – July 2008, London, United Kingdom
Kaaren joined SOM’s London office in May 2000 as an Architectural Assistant working on design proposals for a hospital refurbishment and a number of medium sized office projects.  Showing a keen desire for leadership responsibility, she was fortunate in being afforded the opportunity to lead design teams and travel extensively, participating in design presentations, coordination with local and international consultants and working collaboratively with local architects on projects such as the New NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Edificio Portico, a passive design office project in Madrid and large mixed-use developments at Campolide Parque, Lisbon and Pribinova Riverfront, Bratislava.  Kaaren also formed part of the competitions design team working on a range of proposals in the Middle East and significant refurbishment / regeneration schemes such as Carlisle Pier, Dun Laoghaire; AXA Tower, Paris and Hines Bergognone, Milan.  
Following the completion of the re-briefing and schematic design stage of the New NATO Headquarters building, in 2005 Kaaren was promoted to Associate and invited to establish a studio in the London office, working directly with design partner Peter Ruggiero in Chicago to design two office projects in Moscow for Forum Properties and Alfa-Bank.  Kaaren’s principal design project at SOM is Providence Tower, a landmark tower that completes the New Providence Wharf development designed in 2007.

Selected Projects
Project Beach Plaza
Design competition entry for a 60,000m², 410 key hotel with 20 luxury villa-style apartments. The design focuses on creating a multi-tiered ground plane with a ‘High Park’ located between the hotel rooms and upper villa sanctuary, all with sea or selected city views.
Monaco - 2021
Pavilion for All
Design competition entry for a 1,000m², pavilion providing  community amenities to support the local playing fields.  The design competition is used to investigate net zero energy and low embodied carbon architectural design, using computational design techniques with a focus on creating a distinct and significant place to enhance the inclusive engagement and use of the playing fields.
London, UK - 2021
George Row Renovation
Design for a 100m² upper floor extension to a Grade II Listed, early Victorian chain-makers workshop to increase living space, provide an outdoor garden area and replace a poorly detailed 1980’s extension. In-depth historical research was used to develop a refined and simple approach, that acknowledged the life of the existing building and stitched it into the varied surrounding architectural fabric.  London, UK - 2020-2021

Major Projects at AECOM (London 2015-2020) - Design Director
British Embassy Washington DC
Design, development and delivery services for the refurbishment of the historic Lutyens designed Ambassador’s Residence with new staff apartments and visitor suites. The design includes new exhibition, event spaces and landscaped courtyard within the New Chancery Building and a full services upgrade and office fit-out.  Washington DC, USA - 2017-2020
Boundary House
Feasibility study design options for a 14,300m² office building on the current Boundary House site and a  44,000m² office building occupying both the Boundary House and Friary Court sites in Aldgate.  London, UK - 2019
IQL Residential Towers
Design for two signature residential towers in excess of 30 storeys tall, providing up to 500 apartments of mixed tenure accommodation including Build to Rent.  Designs developed using the creative expression of developer-led apartment typologies to create a unique response to the site responding to views and maximising natural light and ventilation.  The high density development includes community spaces and an enhanced public realm.  London, UK - 2018
Modular Housing
Design for 12 emergency housing units for the South Bucks District Council developing a timber based modular system.  Buckinghamshire, UK - 2018
British Embassy Cairo
Design options for a new Chancery Building and landscape design within the existing compound, focused on passive environmental design.  Additional design options for the strengthening and refurbishment of the existing Chancery Building, responding to vernacular and historic architectural elements and forms.  Cairo, Egypt - 2017
Met Police Headquarters
Feasibility study for the redevelopment of the Met Police sites at Limehouse and Paddington Green to accommodate London hub and SC&O facilities using existing assets.  London, UK- 2017.
Horton Hospital
Feasibility study for the re-development of the Horton Hospital site to accommodate new out-patients and diagnostic facilities.
Banbury, UK - 2017
Shell Office Design Guidelines
Office design guidelines and test-fit projects to develop a repeatable and potentially modular system for the delivery of site office buildings around the world.  Mozambique & Garbon - 2016
Project Genesis, Rolls-Royce Headquarters
Design competition entry for a 19,750m² collaborative workspace and research facility, functioning as the central building to regenerate the Rolls-Royce office and manufacturing campus.  Derby, UK - 2016
Long Street 
Design development and delivery services for two refurbished buildings and 10 storey apartment building, providing 119 luxury apartments, gym and landscaped parking podium totaling 11,300m².  The project includes the development of a bespoke, unitised exterior wall solution in conjunction with the exterior wall contractor to meet a progressive construction programme.  
London, UK- 2016.
Children's Museum, Playspaces & Park 
Architecture and landscape collaborative design proposal for an 8,000m² children’s museum, park, playspaces and pavilion as a fluid form and sequence of experiences.  Dubai, UAE  - 2016
Stratford Waterfront ‘City of Arts’
Design competition for a 156,000m² cultural and education led development comprising; the V&A East, Smithsonian Museum, University of Arts London, Sadler’s Wells, other gallery spaces and 72,700m² of residential in two towers up to 54 storeys.     
London, United Kingdom - 2015
National Grid Office 
Design proposal for a 1,500m² office building to create a strong public face for National Grid component sales and delivery operations.  Ambergate, UK - 2015
Park Farm
Feasibility study and design services for a 65,000m² residential-led development to regenerate an industrial site in Folkestone comprising 450 apartments, hotel and retail.  Folkestone, UK - 2015
Masdar City Feasibility
Feasibility study and design services for 3 office building sites within the Masdar City masterplan, focusing on passive, sustainable design utilising thermal mass, solar shading and natural ventilation.  Abu Dhabi, UAE - 2015

Major Projects at Rutherford Harvey Architecture (London 2012-2015) - Design Director
Oasis Archetype Tower
Design for a component based tower typology focusing on long term housing solutions that incorporate generous living spaces, views, privacy and private outdoor space. 
International archetype - 2013
Camponile Prototype
Design for an innovative, urban in-fill residential tower prototype comprising 9 to 21 apartments and up to 20 storeys.  
London, UK - 2013
King's Point Development
Feasibility and concept design for a 120 unit, 23,600m², 24 storey residential development focusing on innovative land-use and density solutions.  Reading, UK - 2013
George Row Refurbishment
Design and construction management for the full renovation of a Grade II listed warehouse flat to create a large multi-use open-plan living space, add a further bedroom, increase storage space and provide new finishes and fixtures through-out.  
London, UK - 2013 - 2015
Kunshan Library & Media Centre
Competition entry and concept design for a 90,000m², 17 storey multi-media bookstore and media-market.  Additional programme includes office, parking and below grade retail connections.  Completed in partnership with 2Define Architecture.
Kunshan, China - 2013
Wuhan Development
Masterplan and concept design competition for a 575,000m² mixed-use development, comprising 18 buildings including a landmark ‘Wind Gate’ (184m tall) office tower, residential towers, hotel and serviced apartments, retail, and landscaped riverfront promenade. Completed in partnership with 2Define Architecture.  Guang Gu Kun Lun City, Wuhan, China - 2013
Sanya Island Resort City - Phase 1 
Concept design for an 850 unit, 80,200m² luxury beach front resort designed as a ‘sleeping dragon’ utilising a prefabricated structure and accommodation ‘pod’ system.  Completed in partnership with 2Define Architecture. Hainan Province, China - 2013
Sanya Island Resort City Masterplan
Masterplan and feasibility study for a 2 million m² residential and hotel resort comprised of 3 phases including reclaimed peninsula and islands. Completed in partnership with 2Define Architecture.  Hainan Province, China - 2013
Wenzhou Qi Du Island
Feasibility study for a 470,000m² mixed-use development, comprising 4 buildings including a landmark 82 storey (350m tall) hotel and office tower, residential towers, retail village and marina. Completed in partnership with 2Define Architecture. 
Wenzhou, China - 2012
Bioclimatic School
Competition entry for a 5,950m² kindergarten, primary and secondary school, focusing on passive and active environmental design principles including thermal mass, solar shading, solar energy collection, vegetative roofs, nature gardens and natural ventilation. The school is arranged in alignment with a demarcated cardinal grid as a further environmental teaching aide for students. 
Crete, Greece - 2012
AVIC II 
Competition entry in two stages for a 112,000m² office and retail campus, comprising 8 buildings including a landmark 18 storey (80m tall) tower, iconic retail pavilion and landscape park. Completed in partnership with 2Define Architecture. 
Beijing, China - 2011
Whangamata Beach House
Design for a family dwelling located on a sloping site above the ocean on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island.  The design is keyed into the landscape using polished concrete structure for thermal mass and fully operable timber and glass panel facades for controlled natural ventilation through-out the year.  Whangamata, New Zealand - 2014

Major Projects at Mossessian & Partners (London 2009-2012) - Design Director
  
Mshiereb Downtown Doha – Phase 4  
Architectural design services for a 54,000m², 20-25 storey high rise office building development with a luxury boutique retail building and entrance to the new Doha Metro System.  Doha, Qatar  - 2011 
Mshiereb Downtown Doha – Phase 3
Architectural design services for a 48,000m² residential-led mixed-use development including 7,000m²  luxury wellness centre, office building, two levels of high-fashion retail and central covered courtyard with retractable roof. Doha, Qatar  - 2010-2011
Mshiereb Downtown Doha – Phase 1B  
Architectural design services for a 50,000m² residential-led mixed-use development including office, food and beverage-led retail precinct and major public plaza.  Doha, Qatar  - 2009-2011
Mshiereb Downtown Doha – Phase 1C 
Architectural design services for a 15,600m² office building with a sculpted entrance arcade and deep carved stone facade responding to the local climate and proximity to the highway.  Doha, Qatar  - 2009-2011
Al Saad Development 
Feasibility study for a 150,000m² mixed-use development including office, hotel, serviced apartments and primary retail podium,  90m tall, 17-22 storeys. Doha, Qatar - 2010
Project Braeburn   
Feasibility study for a 120,000m² 60 storey office-led mixed-use development with 280m tall primary office tower and two 17 storey residential towers with primary retail podium and public amenities.  London, UK - 2010

Major Projects at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (Dubai 2008-2009) - Senior Architect
Jumeira Garden City Supertall Towers  
Client Liaison Architect for three signature mixed-use supertall towers as part of the Jumeira Garden City Development with a combined area of 1,860,000m², 200+, 123 and 126 storeys tall.  Dubai, UAE  - 2008-2009
Park Gate Jumeira Garden City
Client Liaison Architect for six, linked 35-42 storey mixed-use towers with partially covered central garden as part of the Jumeira Garden City Development, 560,000m².  Dubai, UAE - 2008-2009
Jumeira Garden City Signature Bridge   
Feasibility and concept design for a Signature Road and Pedestrian Bridge within the Jumeira Gardens Development. 
Dubai, UAE - 2008
 

Passive Design Tower Prototype 
Concept design for a prototypical high-rise office tower (60 storeys) focusing on passive design techniques responding to the environmental conditions of the Middle East.  Dubai, UAE - 2009 
Atrium City, Plot 20   
Concept design for a 83,500m² speculative office tower within the Jumeira Gardens masterplan.  Dubai, UAE - 2009

Major Projects at Skidmore Owings & Merrill (London 2000-2008) - Associate/Senior Designer
Providence Tower (Charrington Tower)
Design services for a 50,000m² 44 storey landmark residential tower and 11 storey low-rise private and mixed tenure affordable housing building.  The tower is characterised by a large scale, woven exterior wall / secondary massing design, developed to improve views and provide natural solar shading.  London, UK - 2006-2008
NATO Headquarters 
Design services for a new 220,000m² headquarters development including office buildings, central agora, conference centre, restaurants and leisure facilities with specialist security and landscaping initiatives.  Brussels, Belgium - 2005 - 2006  
North-South Links & Primrose Street  
Architectural design and construction supervision services for Public Space Enhancements to accommodate the additional foot traffic between Liverpool Street Station and Broadgate Tower.  London, UK – 2008
Edificio Portico Office Building 
Architectural services for an award winning 20,000m² office development, 8 storeys with signature roof and vertical screens providing orientation responsive sun shading and a signature appearance to the building, together with a large covered garden space for building employees.  Madrid, Spain - 2001-2005
Project Blackbird 
Feasibility study for a 30,000m² residential development including the preservation of an adjacent Grade II listed building. 
London, UK - 2006  
Olympiyski Business Centre
Competition winning entry and architectural design services for a 40,000m² office development, children’s museum and chapel. 
Moscow, Russia - 2006
                

Alfa-Bank Park  
Competition entry for 160,000m² headquarters and speculative office development including a signature atrium, ground level amenities and conference centre with iconic roof structure, 150m high, 30 storeys.  Moscow, Russia  - 2006  
        

United States Embassies 
Architectural design services to develop the US Standard Embassy Design (SED) to suit sub-Saharan African cities, focusing on the site layout strategy, incorporation of climate specific design features and liaison with Design & Build Contractors. 
Accra, Ghana & Lome, Togo - 2005
Elephant & Castle Residential Towers  
Concept design and masterplan collaboration for a 160,000m² mixed-use development including three signature residential towers and the integration of existing and future major public transport links.  London, UK - 2004
Carlisle Pier Redevelopment
Competition entry for a 60,000m² refurbishment of an existing pier comprising a residential-led mixed-use development with retail and museum. Dun Laoghaire, Ireland - 2004  
AXA Tower Redevelopment                                                                                                                                                               Competition entry for an extensive refurbishment of an existing modernist 80,000m² office tower, 150m tall, 40 storeys. 
La Defense, Paris, France - 2004 
Al Gazala
Feasibility study for a 120,000m² mixed-use development including office podium, hotel and serviced apartment tower, 210m tall, 46 storeys.  Tripoli, Libya - 2004  
Damac Media City  
Feasibility study for a 30,000m² mixed-use development comprising office, developer headquarters and residential, 120m tall, 30 storeys. Dubai, UAE - 2004  
Ritz Carlton Hotel & Furnished Apartments  
Competition winning entry for a 175,000m² 5 star hotel and serviced apartment development.  Dubai, UAE - 2004
Pribinova Riverfront Masterplan
Masterplanning and architectural services for a 200,000m² residential-led mixed-use development including covered high-fashion retail precinct, cinema and major public square.  Bratislava, Slovakia – 2002-2003  
Campolide Parque Development  
Architectural design services for a 135,000m² mixed-use development comprising five office, residential and retail buildings arranged around a central park (urban room) with a private museum.  Lisbon, Portugal 2001-2002  
Bergognone Project  
Design competition for a 20,000m² refurbishment of four office buildings to include boutique offices and hotel. Milan, Italy - 2001
Mahler 4 – Consortium Block 5 
Architectural services for a 6 storey, 20,000m² office building including conference facilities, retail and top floor apartments. 
Amsterdam, Netherlands - 2001  
St Mary’s Hospital  
Architectural design services for the refurbishment of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital building (QEQM) and the design for two new hospital buildings.  London, UK - 2000
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