THE TEAM

Chris Dunkerley - Nominated Architect Reg. 4694

Director and Principal Architect of DTB. On graduating Chris worked at the University of NSW as a research assistant and tutor in natural lighting design and solar energy research, thus fostering his commitment to environmentally sustainable design. He worked for four years in the United Kingdom in hospitality, commercial, recreational, residential and industrial fields. Chris’ heritage experience is grounded on this early experience at a major redevelopment site on the river Thames requiring extensive renovation of two National Trust listed Victorian mansions, refurbishment and repurposing of other heritage buildings, two new buildings as well as major site infrastructure and residential housing.

On returning to Australia Chris was employed as a project architect by Robertson & Marks a practice specializing in grandstand and sporting projects.   Chris worked on numerous such projects including the Sydney Cricket Ground (Bradman Stand), Rosehill Racecourse (Fleming Stand), Canterbury Racecourse (Kennedy Stand), Randwick Racecourse (Paddock & Members Stands).  In 1994 Chris was successful in winning, on his own account, a commission to carry out a major redevelopment at Harold Park Paceway, Glebe.  In 2013 Chris completed for the Harness Racing Club, a $35M relocation of the Paceway to Menangle including Grandstands, Race Day Stalls, Administration, Retail, Hospitality, Media facilities, and site infrastructure (electrical, gas, water, on-site sewer).

In recent years Chris has undertaken over 300 refurbishments & infrastructure projects for the University of Sydney, Australian Catholic University, UTS, University of NSW and Macquarie University. Many of these included the design of a significant number of laboratory new & refurbishment projects, which expertise has now flowed beyond the University to commercial enterprises.

Further details of Chris’ career are available on the separate CV page.

Helga ten Brummelaar

Helga joined DTB in 2003 after working for many years with well-known and established architectural practices in Sydney and London.  In Sydney prior to joining DTB her work encompassed infrastructure (rail), corporate new builds, fitouts, and health projects.   As Principal and Project Director at DTB Helga expanded her health and aged care portfolios with continuous planning and delivery projects including Abel Tasman Village, Adventist Health Care, St Vincents’ Private Hospital, NSW Health Infrastructure, North Sydney Local Health District, Mt Druitt Hospital and St Vincent de Paul. In 2015 Helga’s skill-set in strategic planning saw her seconded for two years to assist Sydney Water consolidate and divest portions of their land holdings.   Team Leader of the Strategic Programs Group responsible for major strategies including Risk Mitigation of Trespass on Sites, options for the Workplace Accommodation Program for 2,000+ staff, feasibility and concept studies for the use/reuse of and development/refurbishment of major Sydney Water sites including numerous Heritage buildings.

Helga returned to DTB in 2017 with renewed vigour and experience to resume her role as Project Director responsible for day-to-day management of specific projects while assisting with the strategic planning and business development. Helga is currently managing several health and health related fit out projects in addition to several residential alterations.

In addition to her extensive experience in the health and aged care sectors, Helga brings a genuine passion for architecture and its place in community. She discusses plans closely with the users, presenting drawings and ideas, listening and then translating the feedback into the built form.

 Antoinette Lee

Antoinette provides project management services for clients as distinct from architectural services and also assumes the role of internal programming and coordination for larger projects. Antoinette joined DTB in 2011 in the role of Practice Manager to oversee and continue the company’s Quality Management System which is certified to ISO 9001:2015, and to develop DTB’s Environmental, Work Health & Safety, Data Security & Disaster Recovery and Social Responsibility systems. She assists in client and consultant coordination on several projects.

Prior to working with DTB Antoinette spent 20 years in design, property and development management. She has extensive experience in all stages of management for a wide range of projects including commercial office towers in the CBD, large ‘brownfield’ sites, individual and multi-unit residential development within the Sydney metropolitan area, commercial, educational, retail, health, hotel and hospitality facilities.

Antoinette trained in Architecture prior to moving across to project management. She has vast experience in the “up front” preparation for construction including client and authority liaison, site investigation, feasibility studies, master planning, programming, remediation, coordination and management of the design, documentation & approval phases.

Antoinette prides herself on responding to the brief on time. She enjoys the challenges of coordinating the cross flow of information and communication.

Robert Tayeh

Robert joined DTB in 2017 as senior architectural draftsman after returning to architecture from a break of several years to explore different career paths, which allowed him to realize that his passion lies in architecture. Robert has a number of qualifications, including an Advance Diploma in Architectural Technology. Prior to that Robert worked continuously as an architectural draftsman and CAD technician for 15 years. He is a conscientious worker and meticulous detailer. His work with DTB has included detailing and coordinating discrete packages of construction documentation and after careful site checking, As-Built drawings for a the new $12M high school seniors wing for Oxford Falls Grammar School. Robert is also documenting several specialist fit-outs and residential projects. With DTB, Robert has been able to expand his knowledge of construction detailing by attending sites currently under construction. He is gaining independence in his work on As-Existing and As-Built documentation.

James McHugh

James joined DTB as an architecture graduate in 2017, he has a Masters and Bachelor certificate in Architecture from the University of New South Wales. Working on site through his fathers’ construction company from an early age, he also had the opportunity to be a part of a number of residential and small commercial projects, helping with the design and drafting process from concept right through to construction.

With DTB James has been involved with documenting numerous projects through the various stages from Scoping the Brief, Concept through to Construction and Contract Administration, also liaising with approval authorities and Clients. He is currently assisting the Director with several laboratory projects for the Department of Planning Industry & Environment. James has been involved with refurbishment projects with the University of New South Wales and University of Sydney including laboratories, teaching spaces, administration and student accommodation. He has been pivotal in utilizing 3D capacity for even small residential projects to assist Client understanding of their project and authority criteria such as shadow diagrams.

Belinda Brown

Belinda has supported the team in the role of Administration and Human Resources since 2002. Responsibilities include accounts, financial reporting, maintaining confidential staff files, administration support and resources.

Prior to joining DTB Belinda spent five years with the Fundraising Department of Royal North Shore Hospital as assistant to the Chairman of Research and the Fundraising Director and editor of the annual research report. Belinda’s early career was with the Commonwealth Bank as an executive assistant supporting several department heads.

Continuing Education

DTB’s in-house continuing education policy is put into effect in part by requiring every staff member who has been involved with the documentation of a project to attend the formal Site Meetings on a rotating basis. Robert as DTB’s senior CAD technician, being profoundly deaf, has had limited opportunity to date in his career to gain first-hand experience on constructions sites and has been really appreciating the experience. Thanks to the availability of interpreters through government assistance programs, Robert is not only able to partake in the site inspections but also attend the formal site meetings to gain first-hand experience of the dynamics in a construction program. Apparently, the interpreters also enjoyed the opportunity to explore a new field to expand their own expertise.