Industry Leaders EP24 with James Kelly

Host Seton Walsh-Rose is joined by James Kelly, Co-Managing Partner at CHC (ClarkeHopkinsClarke) and leader of its national Seniors Living & Care team. James grew up just outside Geelong, spent almost a decade under pioneering architect Yvonne von Hartel, then joined CHC to help build its aged care practice, becoming a partner just after 30.

Together they explore why CHC believes business isn’t just for business, from B Corp certification and measuring impact to how AI will reshape design fees and graduate training. James also makes the case for designing against ageism, and explains why older Australians are central to solving the housing crisis.

Episode Chapters

• 00:10 Welcome
• 00:34 About CHC
• 02:35 Early love of architecture
• 03:05 Peck von Hartel and Yvonne von Hartel
• 03:40 Joining CHC
• 04:20 Partner after 30
• 04:52 Co-managing partner
• 05:20 Growing to 210 people
• 06:45 You have to believe in something
• 07:39 Medium-scale projects, long-term people
• 08:22 Talent across states
• 10:42 Giving back
• 12:31 Measuring impact
• 13:43 B Corp is not a stamp
• 14:57 Purpose in the interview room
• 15:54 AI and sustainability
• 17:30 Cash is king
• 18:32 Design rationalisation
• 20:33 No ego in design
• 21:50 Good passive design costs no more
• 23:00 Design business in 2036
• 23:53 Where AI will change the fee
• 24:51 Paper to CAD to BIM to AI
• 25:59 Toilet partitions for five years
• 27:08 Hiring for aptitude and values
• 27:50 AI and the graduate QA problem
• 28:16 Learning from peers
• 29:12 From diamond to square
• 30:37 Victoria’s resilience
• 31:25 Sydney and feasibility
• 32:29 State by state
• 34:41 Lessons from the 1990s recession
• 35:12 Choosing sectors you believe in
• 36:27 Strategy isn’t set and forget
• 38:57 Why seniors living
• 39:37 Find what you’re passionate about
• 40:05 Fighting ageism through design
• 40:44 Ageing and the housing crisis
• 44:31 An ageing nation
• 45:44 Dementia and brain health
• 46:40 A national conversation on ageing
• 49:04 No single solution
• 49:56 Intergenerational models
• 51:04 Aged care front and centre
• 52:42 Wrap-up
• 53:07 Seton’s reflection

Key Takeaways

• Business isn’t just for business
• Prove your purpose.
• Purpose attracts talent.
• Stability is a strategy
• Leave your ego at the door.
• Good design needn’t cost more
• AI will move the fee forward.
• Graduates still learn from people.
• Diversify by sector and region
• Strategy needs constant work.
• Ageing is a housing issue.
• Design against ageism.

Sound Bites / Quotes:
“Business is not just for business. You’re not here to make just money. You are here to actually do something better for the world.”
— James Kelly, ~06:45

References & Resources

• Peckvonhartel — where James worked for almost ten years: https://www.pvh.com.au/
• Yvonne von Hartel AM — pioneering Victorian architect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvonne_von_Hartel
• Robert Goodliffe — CHC partner who mentored James and led the B Corp process: https://chc.com.au/people/robert-goodliffe
  -One Heart Foundation — Kenya charity founded by Dean Landy: https://oneheart.co/
• Run from Poverty with Dean Landy (Architecture & Design): https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/features/features-articles/run-from-poverty-take-to-the-track-with-architect
• Eltham College — co-founded by CHC founding partner Les Clarke: https://www.elthamcollege.vic.edu.au/
• Balibo House Trust — Timor-Leste: https://balibohouse.com/
• B Corp Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand (B Lab): https://bcorporation.com.au/
• Hassell — B Corp certified practice: https://www.hassellstudio.com/news-event/hassell-celebrates-b-corp-certification
• HammondCare: https://www.hammond.com.au/
• 2023 Intergenerational Report — Australian Treasury: https://treasury.gov.au/publication/2023-intergenerational-report
• Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety: https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/aged-care
• SunSmart — Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide (Cancer Council): https://www.sunsmart.com.au/