Sarah Kay is the Chief Executive Officer at Woods Bagot, with a 20-year career spanning London, Melbourne, Sydney, and New York. She specializes in fostering client relationships and delivering projects for major global organizations such as Google, Lendlease, Bloomberg, LinkedIn, and Macquarie Group. Her expertise lies in merging design and business to enhance user experience and productivity, helping clients adapt to rapid global changes.
Kay is an advocate for equality within the Property Industry, mentoring numerous women to leadership positions within and beyond the Woods Bagot community. She has held significant roles including a member of the Woods Bagot Board and a seat on the Global Executive, equipping her with a comprehensive global perspective and a robust network of clients and partners worldwide.
What inspired you to become an architect?
As corny as it sounds – my dad. He was a lawyer by training who wished he was an architect. He designed the house that I lived in while growing up, and it was an incredible house. I believe he would have been a wonderful architect.
During my studies, I pursued architecture alongside some law courses, including one focused on Resource Consent Law. This area was emerging in New Zealand at the time and emphasized environmentally conscious and inclusive design practices. A key aspect was collaborating with local Māori iwi (tribal groups) and carefully considering a project’s environmental impact. This approach was considered progressive in the late 1990s and shaped my commitment to inclusive design principles. This aligns closely with Woods Bagot’s ‘People Architecture’ philosophy, which prioritizes human-centered design.
How would you describe your leadership style and design philosophy?
I like to think I’m inclusive and team-oriented. I see the CEO role as one job among the many leaders of our organization, more an orchestrator than a director.
My design philosophy is very aligned with Woods Bagot’s vision of People Architecture. We’re committed to questioning how our work improves the lives of those who use it, how can we make a positive impact on the future, and how can we make a difference in the world.
As the first female CEO of Woods Bagot, how do you feel?
I think I feel the same as if I was a male CEO.
That said, I am acutely aware that we unfortunately live in a world where a female CEO is still unusual. l also realize that being in this position is an important signpost to other women – and in fact to the broader industry – that it is possible. I look forward to a day when it is commonplace for people of any gender identity to lead major architectural practices.
Can you share a favorite project of yours and explain why it stands out?
While I try not to play favorites, Western Sydney International Airport currently stands out as a particularly exciting project. It’s a rare opportunity to design a completely new airport terminal from the ground up, without the constraints of existing infrastructure. This greenfield project allows for innovative design solutions and cutting-edge technology implementation. The project also addresses the historic lack of adequate infrastructure and convenient airport access in this region of Australia. This new airport will significantly improve transportation options and economic opportunities for the local community. The project’s transformative potential for Western Sydney, combined with the creative freedom of starting from scratch, makes it a truly unique and rewarding endeavor.
How have collaborations with companies influenced your approach to design?
Woods Bagot is not a ‘founder firm’ constrained by the ideas of one person. Instead, we practice ‘multi-authorship’ and believe that a diversity of thinking and design ideas yields much stronger results than a singular approach. Woods Bagot’s collaborative and inclusive approach to design regularly extends beyond our global studio because we often work closely with our ERA-co consulting team as well as other architectural practices. Ultimately, we believe that ‘none of us is as smart as all of us’ and are excited by our place among a network of incredible thinkers.
What is your favorite architectural detail or material, and why?
Anything that moves us closer to a carbon-minimized construction industry – zero carbon concrete will be once it’s invented!
What is your process for starting a new project?
Establish the best team, listen to the client, and clearly articulate the vision and the narrative for the project. Often, we will use an ERA-co Campfire Co-Creation Workshop to kick-start the visioning process and to set clear parameters and goals for the experiential outcomes of our place designs.
How do you balance creativity and practicality in your designs?
My job now focuses more on leading the business rather than individual projects. That said, I think the question is still relevant in terms of how to balance immediate practical needs with the company’s long-term vision and aspirations. The answer lies in a balance between a steadfast commitment to building a portfolio of outstanding work and driving innovation to address the major challenges facing the world. While it’s easy to get caught up in short-term demands, long-term thinking is ultimately more fulfilling and essential for our success.
How does the surrounding environment influence your architectural projects?
Our design process begins by understanding both the physical and social dynamics of a place. We use data to understand the character of a place by investigating land use, site context, transport and movement, climate and local environmental factors, demographics, economics, and people’s behavior. Across buildings, public spaces, and the people who live and work there, we learn about the rich history of a place, how it serves the community now, and explore the latent opportunities of what it could become.
How do you approach working with clients to understand their needs and visions?
My clients are very varied these days. They of course include Woods Bagot, ERA-o, and Customs Bureau clients, but I also consider the definition of ‘client’ to include internal stakeholders – our staff across the world, our Principal leaders, and our Board – as well as future generations of architects and place designers.
Understanding and meeting all these diverse needs and visions is the central challenge of the job and the one I most enjoy. My vision for our business is to be relevant and impactful in finding solutions for the world’s mega-issues. I believe a ‘Total Place Design’ approach will have the most impact on the world ahead and believe this vision resonates well with all my stakeholders – uniting them together for a common purpose.
What are your priorities and goals for Woods Bagot under your leadership?
Our clients’ world has changed. Our priority is to demonstrate that we understand the complex challenges that define the industry today, in ways that improve tomorrow.
To create transformative places, we need integrated thinking beyond architecture that solves problems upstream and enables connected outcomes across the design process. Woods Bagot created our consulting business, ERA-co, 5 years ago to begin to address this growing complexity and assist our clients with their most complex projects. Since then, we have added a sustainability consulting business and a luxury interior business – all in response to our client’s needs.
Together, we will continue to expand the network of specialists within our group to add value to our clients in an increasingly complex world. Woods Bagot has been around for 150 years, and we intend for it to be around for another 150 – this goal requires us to maintain exceptional project outcomes, engage with the world’s best talent, and continue to evolve in line with our client’s needs.
What advice would you give to aspiring architects?
Do it! Pursue your passion for architecture! This profession offers a profoundly enriching and rewarding life. You will have the opportunity to travel the world, forge deep connections with cities, and build lifelong friendships with colleagues as you collaborate on projects. Your work will make a meaningful impact, contributing to the improvement of our cities and enhancing the quality of life for their residents. Embrace the journey—become an architect!
