Brisbane is buzzing. With the 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon, the city is alive with opportunity — and our studio has been at the heart of conversations about what this moment could mean for people, culture and place.

Our new Studio Principal, Lucas Dean, steps into leadership at a pivotal time. Under his guidance, the team is growing its impact across Queensland while leaning into partnerships that push creativity forward. Recent collaborations, such as the Cultural Legacies Workshop hosted by Creative Brisbane Collab, have reinforced how design can embed First Nations voices, support local artists, and shape a more inclusive cultural identity for the city.

That spirit of reflection has extended beyond the studio walls. Alongside Kevin Taylor Legacy recipient, Christopher Bassi, and ecologists from the University of Queensland, we spent time on the banks of Maiwar (the Brisbane River) exploring the ecological and cultural significance of mangroves. These living systems embody the resilience, memory and care that will be vital as Brisbane continues to transform.

At the same time, bold urban visions are taking shape. Our thinking around Roma and Bank Streets imagines a civic boulevard that rebalances the city — reclaiming space for people, stitching together transport and culture, and showcasing a subtropical identity to the world.

And closer to home, our studio is embracing change of its own with an office move, marking another step in this journey of growth and momentum.

Together, these threads speak to a city on the cusp of something extraordinary. As Brisbane prepares to take the global stage, the challenge and opportunity lie in ensuring the legacy is lasting: green, connected, and unmistakably Meanjin.