Brian Meyerson

Brian Meyerson founded BMA, now MHN Design Union, in 1997. Now a still-growing team of over fifty, the firm’s philosophy has its roots in Brian’s early architectural inclination towards the distillation and expression of simplicity. Each MHNDU project is pared back in order to discover its essence and meaningfully built to capture this central tenet. In 2020, MHNDU was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Best in Practice Prize.
Brian’s interest in architecture was sparked as a child, observing the urban environment on the streets of his native Cape Town as he commuted by train to school. His time studying architecture at the University of Cape Town, its educational platform informed by the philosophy of Le Corbusier, cemented his conceptualisation of purist modern architecture as a way of optimistically heralding the new, rather than dwelling on the old.
Brian’s early career experience at the Desert Research Institute for Extreme Climates in Israel has informed his long-held passion for environmentally conscious architecture and MHNDU’s commitment to designing homes for a sustainable future.
Having gained a reputation for innovative yet enduring craftsmanship, Brian’s designs have left a defining mark on much of East Sydney and beyond. Most recently, Brian has found particular interest in projects that contribute on an urban interventionist scale, redefining the public domain surrounding sites, such as MHNDU’s concept design for Seven Ways in Bondi and reinvention of the Bondi Hotel and its immediate surrounds for The Beach House.

Kevin Ng

A founding principal of MHNDU, Kevin runs MHNDU’s single residential and boutique multi-unit portfolio and maintains direct involvement in the concept design, documentation and delivery of these projects. Instrumental in the firm’s growth to its current status as a leading Sydney practice, Kevin upholds the vision for his team’s designs, approaching challenges holistically and methodically to achieve the best outcomes for his clients.

Kevin enjoys the constant and changing stimulus of his job; the fact that architectural practice exposes him to a myriad of professions outside of his field, such as engineering, landscaping, construction, law and interior design. Similarly, his architectural inspirations reveal an appreciation for a variety of design approaches. He highlights modernists such as Mies, Phillip Johnson and Seidler, and contemporary architects such as Chipperfield and Pawson as a constant source of creative influence.

His projects have been widely published in local and international design press over many years. Most recently, the acclaimed ‘Customs House’ fetched silver in the Sydney Design Awards, and ‘Bondi Mews’ has received a slew of accolades, being featured in Est Living, Enki Magazine (UK) and shortlisted in House & Garden’s ‘Top 50 Rooms Awards’.

Tanya Awadallah

Since joining MHNDU in 2016, Tanya has been instrumental in shepherding the firm toward new frontiers in architectural practice. With a symphonic approach that uniquely combines expertise in architecture, finance and culture, her belief in the synergistic potential of these traditionally separate domains has cultivated an environment where harmony and collaboration thrive.

Tanya highlights the profound impact that architecture has on the human experience as the most rewarding aspect of her work. From shaping how individuals feel within a space to influencing the city’s skyline, architecture, in her view, is a powerful medium for creating environments that shape lives. This perspective extends to her leadership style, prioritising psychological safety and the wellbeing of the team, ensuring a conducive atmosphere for creativity.

Tanya’s vision for MHNDU encompasses not just architectural projects but also the strategic implementation of structures that support the firm’s growth. She sets ambitious goals for the practice, fostering an environment of optimism and progress. Under her guidance, MHNDU has not only excelled as a pioneer in design but also as a proactive agent of social change within the community.

In 2019, Tanya transformed a historical office garage into ‘wilson’ a profit-for-purpose café that champions local, underrepresented artists by offering them a platform to display their art. This initiative, part of Tanya’s broader vision, underscores her commitment to blending architectural innovation with tangible social impact, making significant contributions to the community and the field of architecture alike.
 

Liam Hancock

Liam has over twenty years of experience working in the UK, Asia and Australia. During this period, he has held senior design roles at internationally acclaimed practices in Sydney and overseas. Liam joined MHNDU in 2014 as Creative Director and runs the boutique multi-unit and mixed-use portfolio. Primarily focused on strategic, conceptual and detail design, Liam also maintains direct involvement through the documentation and delivery of projects.
Fundamental to the firm’s growth as a leading Sydney design practice, Liam’s metier is unlocking each project’s creative and commercial potential, in ways that balance and optimise the wider urban and public benefit. Having studied under the tutelage of David Greene of avant-garde architectural group Archigram, Liam has always been inspired by architectural styles and movements that challenge conventional design. Through his extensive travel, Liam draws influence from a variety of landscapes and cultures, imbuing these into the craft of architecture. His desire is to achieve design outcomes that are both highly innovative yet distinctly contextual.
Liam has been successful on international architectural competitions including Dubai Festival City in the Middle East and a final shortlist for the Barangaroo Masterplan along Sydney’s renowned CBD foreshore. Liam has achieved serveral design excellence competition successes with the City of Sydney. Most recently at One Sydney Park for a residential and mixed-use masterplan that intrinsically connects itself to the adjoining parkland setting.