Global architecture and design firm Populous has appointed Fiona Nixon as Head of Design for the Asia Pacific region, introducing a new leadership role aimed at strengthening design processes across the firm’s projects in the region.
The dedicated position has been created to curate and elevate architectural design across Populous’ APAC portfolio, regardless of project scale. Nixon will work across regional studios while collaborating with global teams, including Christopher Lee, the firm’s Global Head of Design.
She will be based in Populous’ Singapore studio, which is currently involved in projects intended to support the country’s economic and social development.
Strengthening design leadership across the APAC portfolio
In her new role, Nixon will focus on ensuring that design remains central to project delivery across the Asia Pacific region. The position is intended to bring global insights and shared learnings into regional projects while reinforcing consistent design standards across the firm’s studios.
According to Richard Breslin, Managing Director for APAC at Populous, Nixon’s appointment supports the firm’s broader strategy of placing design leadership at the forefront of its architectural practice. With more than 35 years of experience across Australia and Asia, she brings expertise in designing experience-driven buildings and interiors and in integrating projects into the urban fabric to generate civic, social and economic value.
From Singapore, Nixon will also contribute to major projects underway in the city-state, including the planned 30,000-seat NS Square and a proposed 15,000-seat arena designed to complement the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.
Experience across complex civic and cultural projects
Nixon has spent her career working between Australia and Singapore, specialising in the planning and design of complex environments that support living, learning, leisure and work.
Her project portfolio includes the The Lalu Hotel Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan, the Victorian College of the Arts Centre for Ideas, the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, and the Changi Airport Group Headquarters in Singapore.
Part of Populous’ global design leadership network
Within Populous, Nixon will join a global network of regional design leaders responsible for setting design benchmarks across the firm’s projects. The group works to support architectural teams through design reviews, knowledge sharing and internal learning initiatives, while also promoting equitable and accessible design approaches.
The global design leadership structure enables the firm to share insights across different regions and building typologies, helping maintain design quality as projects increase in scale and complexity.
Nixon is a licensed architect in Singapore, Australia and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and a member of the Singapore Institute of Architects. In 2024, she was awarded a Life Fellowship from the Australian Institute of Architects in recognition of her contributions to the profession through design, construction, advocacy and urban design.
