What we do

Willemsen creates sustainable design-led built environments that support people and organisations in achieving their future goals and objectives. We believe that the natural characteristics of materials and a structure’s engineering should be inherent to the design aesthetic. There must be a fundamental honesty where natural aesthetic, quality and structural efficacy become a focus and point of value. While its attainment is inherently complex, simplicity of form and function is the essence of good design.

‘We believe the central purpose of design is to invigorate and uplift people. We strive to do this through the creation of exciting, functional places they want to spend time in.” ’

— Anthony Willemsen,

CEO of Willemsen Group

ESG considerations underpin modern design

Environmental, social and governance factors are guiding principles for considered, modern design. Our award-winning buildings feature intuitive, cutting-edge technologies and use products that contribute to a positive impact on environmental and social factors, while incorporating responsible governance.

Our Process

Design

Design-led functionality and environmental sustainability

At the heart of Willemsen’s methodology is design-led functionality and environmental sustainability. We believe that design should not be driven to cloak the natural characteristics of materials and structural engineering, instead there must be a fundamental honesty, where natural aesthetic, quality and structural efficacy become a focus and point of value.

“While its attainment is inherently complex, simplicity of form and function is the essence of good design.”

In the design stage we seek to understand the purpose of the project, with consideration for its objective functional use. We develop a clear understanding of who the end users will be and what they require from the built form and functional services, for the project to have a positive impact.
At this point, we develop a preliminary project budget and written architectural project brief to clearly outline the functional, aesthetic, social and environmental objectives for the project — to inform the design process. The project design brief is a living document, continually refined throughout the design process.

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Build

Willemsen have been designing and building for 50 years.

Established in 1972, Willemsen have been designing and building for 50 years. We are licenced Class A builders and have deep experience in large and complex projects covering residential, commercial and fit out.

In recent years, the organisation has restructured to focus on fit out and commercial refurbishment construction, partnering with building companies to deliver our new developments, with Willemsen taking on the direct site facing roles of project manager and construction superintendent.

We have successfully delivered award-winning projects with many of Australia’s leading builders over the last two decades. Our direct construction involvement and ability to add technical value is a unique point of difference to other developers and property funds. This capacity allows us to supervise works diligently and knowledgeably, resolving issues as they present themselves during the construction process, avoiding operational problems.

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Deliver

Meet the unique business requirements

The delivery of a Willemsen building involves two stages – the provision of the base building or tenancy and the process of guiding our clients with the ideal fit out and use of the space to meet the unique business requirements.

Once a building is built and an end user is committed to it, we work closely with them in the design, construction and commissioning of their workplace to ensure that it meets their functional spatial needs whilst also leveraging off the inherent design and technical features of the base building.

We work with each unique client to create a functional forward-looking vision for their work environment, with structure of the work environment accounting for the diverse types of working environment from open plan, office, flexible working and collaborative spaces. The concept of third places and environmental sustainability is woven into this vision.

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Partner

With our dedicated team of property managers, facilities staff and contractors

Willemsen takes a whole of life approach to building management. With every Willemsen building comes a commitment to operation and facility management, so we invest in the designs, material quality and workmanship that support seamless maintenance over time. We value our clients – who often make their Willemsen building a long-life home – our responsive and impeccable service is delivered by our own in-house maintenance department.

As a long-term owner and operator of the commercial buildings that we create, we have an unparalleled commitment to each building’s performance and upkeep, appreciating that these factors will determine our clients’ enjoyment of them.

With our dedicated team of property managers, facilities staff and contractors, we have a deep technical understanding of our buildings, with the ability to address any issue as it arises.

Timely and efficient communication is the backbone of our facilities management systems. While our support is provided by real, contactable people on the ground, we operate a sophisticated online maintenance reporting and tracking system to provide our clients with convenient reporting and real-time updates on repairs.

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Live

Simplicity in function and form

Willemsen’s rich history of architecture was founded in residential design and we have established, iconic buildings that are known by the Willemsen name. Our design philosophy is centred around simplicity in function and form, featuring and showcasing the natural characteristics of materials.

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Invest

For a guide to our investment framework

Over 50 years of trading, Willemsen has established a substantial capital reserve which is invested outside of its own direct property assets, minimising gearing and broadening geographic dispersion. To ensure continued investment diversification we actively seek to deploy this investment capital into opportunistic value investments that are aligned with our own business objectives and values.

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Awards

Willemsen developments and key staff have recognised with multiple awards over the years, including.

Housing Industry of Australia (HIA) 18 individual awards between –1975 – 1986 for medium density townhouse developments including renown Shackleton Park, Mawson.

1985 Housing Industry of Australia - Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Housing in the ACT awarded to Gary Willemsen.
1982 - 1984 Gary Willemsen President of ACT chapter of Housing Industry Association.
2006 Master Builders Association - Residential Project of the Year - awarded for the Axis Apartments, Main Beach, Gold Coast.
2005 Master Builders Association - Residential Home of the Year - awarded for the Merion Residences townhouse development at Robina Gold Coast.
2016 Alta apartments development, architect Richard Willemsen recognised by Australian Institute of Architects - Architectural Commendation, Residential.
2016 NECA National Award for Energy Efficiency and Environment Commercial - awarded for the Commonwealth Department of Finance Office Fit out at One Canberra Avenue.
2015 Master Builders Association & CBus Superannuation - Excellence in Commercial Buildings Award for buildings more than $50m – awarded for One Canberra Avenue.
2015 Australian Institute of Building – Professional Excellence in Commercial Construction for construction contract sum $50m to $100m – awarded for One Canberra Avenue.
2017 Australian Property Institute - Excellence In Property Award – awarded to Anthony Willemsen for One Canberra Avenue.
1994 Australian Institute of Building – F.O. Watts Prize for Construction Management and Economics awarded to Anthony Willemsen.

The Willemsen Group has been highly awarded over several decades by the Housing Industry Association for its contribution to Medium and High-Density Housing.

Our award-winning projects

Take a look at our award-winning projects

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