Steve Trstenjak

Accomplished architect with 30+ years of international   experience leading complex, multidisciplinary projects across sports, workplace, hospitality, healthcare, aviation, and urban design. Recognized for design excellence, strategic leadership, and delivery of award-winning projects with leading global practices. Frequent university collaborator, conference speaker, and juror for major international architecture awards.

Core Expertise

• Workplace Architecture
• Residential: High End
• Mixed-use Developments
• Healthcare
• Hotels and Hospitality
• Education
• Master-planning and Urban Design
• Aviation and Infrastructure
• Sports – Stadiums

EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE

NEOM (Parsons Secondee), KSA

Design Director | 2025 – Present

Client representative and Design Director for THE LINE FIFA World Cup Stadium.

Lead design management, strategy, and coordination across multidisciplinary teams.

Senior leadership role ensuring alignment with project goals and sector strategies

Gensler, Hong Kong

Design Director & Co-Studio Director | 2022 – 2025

Co-led Hong Kong studio operations, reporting to global leadership on P&L, pipeline, and projections.

Directed business development and client engagement across Asia.

Oversaw design and delivery of landmark projects including;

- NEOM – The Line Neighbourhood (1.9M m²) 

- Zhuhai City Heart (348K m²).

- Mandarin Hotel + Convention Center, Shanghai (348km2) 

- Hainan Jiangdong New District, Hainan (450k m2)

Woods Bagot, Hong Kong

Principal, Regional Design Leader – China 2018 – 2021

Regional executive responsible for design across all region’s studios, management, studio budgets, and operational strategies

Reported to Global Board on project delivery, execution, and brand alignment.

Secured new clients and built sustainable project pipeline.

Led major developments including;

- New Regent Hotel, Hong Kong

- Shangri La Hotel, Kunming                    

- Taikang International Medical Center, Nanjing.       

- Kerry Centre Development, Shenyang (348,000m²)                         

 - New Delhi Airport / Hyderabad Airports, India                 

 - Hainan Jiangdong New District, Hainan

    10 Design, Hong Kong

     Design Director | 2017 – 2018

Directed one of three design teams, managing client relationships and competition pursuits

Ensured operational efficiency and quality delivery across multiple projects including;   

 - Fisherman’s Warf, Shenzhen China. (175k m²)         

- Sungang Mixed Use Development, Shenzhen             

- Fengtou Towers Qianhai,Shenzhen  (151km²)

   Foster + Partners

Partner / Director | 2008 – 2017

Partner responsible for Studio 6 operations, including resource management, workflow, and business growth and design.

Acting Director for F+P Australia, serving as nominated architect for all national projects.

Oversaw delivery of major healthcare, hospitality, and urban masterplanning projects including;         

- New Aswan Heart Centre,Egypt (140k m² )                   

- New Pavilion Penn Hospital, Philadelphia (150k m²)

                                                   Emaar Square, Iconic North Tower + The Address                                                                                            

  Hotel, IstanbulTurkey (200k m2)

     - Hellinikon Masterplan, AthensGreece (6,200k m²)                                                                               

          - Sino Ocean Tower, BeijingChina (245k m²)                                                                          

      - Gaziosmanpasha, Regeneration, Istanbul, 11km2                                                                              

- New Presidential Library,Astana Kazakhstan (25k m²)

     East Ateshire Mixed Use, Istanbul (525k m)                                                                              - 

- Kingdom Tower, JeddahSaudi Arabia (350k m²)

  - King Abdullah Sport City, Jedah, Saudi Arabia                                                                                

  - Al Faisaliah II Tower, Riyadh Saudi Arabia                                                                                  

  - Lulu Tower,Abu Dhabi UAE , (250k m²)                                                                                  

  - Smart City Mixed Use, BucharestRomania (250km²)                                                                                   

- Oberoi Hotel, Baie du Cap Mauritius, (25k m²)

      Project Director | 1993 – 2003                                                                   

Managed client relations, all stages of design development, and construction supervision

• Directed project teams for global award-winning projects, including;     

McLaren F1 Technology Centre, Woking (60k m2)                                                                                                                                                                                                              - Hong Kong Cargo Terminal (395k m2)                                                                - Chep Lap Kok Hong Kong International Airport.

Blue Architects and Designers

Founder I Director | 2003 – 2007                                                                         

Established and managed boutique practice, overseeing all aspects of business operations, client acquisition, and project delivery.

Complete several high end residential developments 

  Harry Seidler and Associates

Architect | 1988 – 1992

Contributed to major commercial, residential and masterplan projects including  

             - IBM Tower, Darling Harbour, Sydney

             - Darling Park Masterplan, Sydney

             - Horizon Residential Tower, Darlinghurst, Sydney

             - QV1 Tower, Perth

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Architecture (Hons), University of Technology Sydney, 1990

Chartered Architect, Board of Architects NSW, 1992

LEAD Associate AP, 2021

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

Juror: Architect Master Prize Awards, Architizer A+ Awards,     Dezeen Awards

Frequent conference speaker and university collaborator

• Bachelor of Architecture (Hons), University of Technology Sydney, 
• Chartered Architect, Board of Architects NSW, 
• LEAD Associate AP,