Our People

Chairperson

Jason Holmes

TRG Aus

With over 25 years’ experience working as a building designer, Jason has continued further higher education studies whilst being lucky enough to have progressed his professional career in becoming a director of a design practice in the last 15 years employing over ninety people across 3 countries.  Focused on overseeing our commercial and retail design, he provides design services from concept through to onsite completion. 
With a passion for design, building client relationships and the built environment being part of a peak body board allows Jason to give back to an industry he is passionate about. As a designer it is not a job it is a livelihood and being able to inform and influence our built environment  and urban surround comes with great responsibility but a higher reward.  Jason looks forward to sharing his experience and learnings to members and the industry.

Chief Executive Officer

Danielle Johnston

Community, collaboration, sustainability, and advocacy run deep in Danielle’s blood. A desire to make the world a better place led her to study journalism at RMIT in the 1990s; become Business Director at the Committee for Melbourne in the noughties; General Manager at Climate Positive – a small not-for-profit helping businesses go beyond carbon neutral; and a parent-activist in her local Bayside area. She grew up spending weekends subbying on a construction site, helping renovate the home her parents still live in. A desire to see the world landed her roles, and life experience, in London and San Francisco. Now, raising two tween-aged daughters with her chiropractor/property-mad husband, and being CEO of Design Matters National, is filling her life with the best kinds of challenges.

Board Members

Peter Lombo

Archsign

Peter graduated at RMIT University in 1986 with an Associate Diploma of Architectural Technology and founded Archsign in 1988.

Peter’s passion for collaboration and rapport with his team deliver the best quality in design and value for clients. His direction is prominent in the quality assurance of the design, documentation and construction phases, including the ongoing coordination with client representatives, project managers and consultants. Peter is a member of the Building Practitioners’ Board (BPB) and has received a number of awards for his work.

  
Tim Veurink

Timeless Home Designs

With over a decade of comprehensive industry experience, Tim possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of building design. His diverse career path has equipped him with valuable insights into various aspects of the industry, making him a well-rounded and adaptable professional. Tim's commitment to professional development is evident through his accreditation with Design Matters National and active contributions to our organisation. His dedication to promoting excellence and innovation in building design aligns perfectly with the values and goals of Design Matters National. As a board director candidate, Tim's experience, commitment, and industry knowledge make him a valuable asset to the organisation's leadership team.

Victoria Walker

Bera

Victoria (Tori) Walker is an accredited NatHERS Assessor, and the Principal Consultant at BERA - Building Energy Ratings & Advice (www.bera.com.au).  She has been involved in the design & renovation of homes for over 20 years and has worked with Building Designers, Architects, Builders and Energy Assessors both professionally and personally during this time.  She has been accredited with Design Matters National for nearly 10 years, contributing as an active member of the Technical Advisory Sub-Committee for NatHERS Assessors and more recently as a Director on the DMN Board.  She has extensive experience rating homes and commercial buildings around Australia, but predominantly in Queensland, Northern Territory and NSW.   She enjoys working with the legislation to help clients understand and maximise the energy efficiency of their homes. 

 

Christina Zigouras

Design Plan Document

Christina joined the Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV) as a student and founded her own practice inspired by the organisation's network. Specialising in commercial projects, particularly Change of Use applications, she is well-versed in navigating compliance challenges, exemplified by her involvement in the notable Melbourne project, The Timber Yard. With 15 years at her own practice, she transitioned to teaching at Box Hill Institute from 2019, focusing on equipping students with industry-relevant skills and understanding of regulations. Her part-time role includes updating assessments to better mirror real-world scenarios. Eager to bridge the gap between academic training and industry standards, Christina is committed to maintaining her professional knowledge. A DMN  member since 2005, she also has affiliations with Women on Boards and National Precast, which underpin her dedication to enhancing industry-education integration, thereby benefiting both students and professionals.

Andrew Russo

Detail 3

Andrew is the Practice Director at Detail 3 in Melbourne and brings nearly two decades of local and international industry experience to the judging panel. His passion for architecture and building, kindled at an early age, led him to study Building Design & Technology at RMIT and pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at Deakin University. Andrew's career flourished at one of Melbourne's top-tier architecture firms, where he rose to become part of their experienced senior staff. This position afforded him the opportunity to be expatriated to the Middle East for a landmark project, broadening his global perspective. With expertise spanning a wide range of typologies and scales, from early concept through to on-site delivery, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge to the judging process. His experience encompasses diverse projects and worldly travels, enriching his approach to design evaluation. Andrew was a judge on the 2024 Building Design Awards panel.

Antonio Calabrò

SAC Building Workshop

Antonio Calabro is a registered building practitioner and accomplished design professional who holds memberships with the Australian Architecture Association, Planning Institute of Australia, and Design Matters National. With nearly two decades of industry experience, Antonio established his practice, SAC Building Workshop, in 2004 and delivers extensive expertise in strategic design, development strategies, architectural building design, interior architecture and project management. Antonio's design philosophy centres on a deep commitment to understanding and interpreting client needs, while delivering excellence across all aspects of the built environment. His holistic approach to architecture and design has earned him a reputation for creating thoughtful, innovative solutions that bridge client vision with practical realisation.

Executive
Julijana Pozar Marketing  & Communications Coordinator & WA Coordinator
Vicki Marshall Senior Manager Thermal Performance and Sustainability
Holly Tepper Administration Coordinator (Existing Home Assessors)
Phuong Nguyen Administration Assistant (New Home Assessors) & CPD Coordinator
Jasmine Brimble Membership and Accounts Coordinator
Bo Ly Operations Manager