Genton Architects London + Sydney + Melbourne studios

Genton Architects, London + Sydney + Melbourne

post updated 2 November 2026

Australian architecture practice Genton launches European studio

Australian architecture practice Genton has opened a London studio, bringing 16 years of experience delivering major public, civic and infrastructure projects to a new base supporting its growth across Europe and the Middle East.

The opening of the European Studio is driven by Genton’s ambition to bring its design capability, strategic thinking and Australian ingenuity to international markets.

Powerhouse Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia:

photo : Rory Gardiner

“At Genton we have consistently delivered design excellence for our clients and the public. This launch marks Genton’s transition from an Australian practice into an international practice, sharing our creativity and expertise, expanding our scope and introducing exciting new partnerships,” says Steven Toia, Genton, Founder and Principal.

Genton’s recent work includes Powerhouse Parramatta, one of the world’s most significant new museum projects and proudly funded by the NSW Government. Awarded through an open international design competition in 2019 to the architectural team of Moreau Kusunoki (lead designer), Genton (local architect) and Arup engineering, the project is the largest investment in cultural infrastructure project in NSW since the Sydney Opera House.

Pakenham Station, Parramatta, NSW, Australia:

photograph : Peter Clarke

Genton’s portfolio also includes Reservoir Station in Melbourne, whose striking, sustainably focused design received international recognition by winning the 2021 Prix Versailles World Architecture and Design Award for Special Prize Exterior.

Zak Barry will lead the European Studio and pursue design opportunities across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. Barry previously spent nine years at Genton as a key member of the practice and was Genton’s project leader for the Powerhouse Parramatta design competition.

Reservoir Station, Victoria, Australia:

photo : Peter Clarke

In 2024 he relocated to London to lead Marketing and Submissions for Woods Bagot. His deep knowledge of Genton’s culture, design philosophy and approach, together with first-hand experience of the European market, makes him an ideal leader for the new Genton studio.

“Europe has a deep culture of design quality in its civic buildings, and the region is undergoing a significant period of urban renewal as cities decarbonise,” says Barry. “Genton has a proven record of delivering high-quality public projects. We see a real opportunity to build new partnerships here and make a lasting contribution to cities across the region.”

Zak Barry, Studio Leader, Europe, Genton

Zak Barry is a strategic leader and designer with more than 13 years’ experience on both the design and business sides of architectural practice, across Australia, Europe and the Middle East. His background spans project delivery, design competitions, marketing, and practice strategy, through which he has developed a sharp understanding of the relationship between design excellence, commercial thinking and international growth.

Zak began his career at Genton in their Melbourne studio while completing his Bachelor and Master of Architecture, before moving to Sydney to support the establishment of the practice’s second office. Throughout his initial nine-year tenure, he worked across a diverse range of large-scale and technically complex projects spanning masterplanning, civic and cultural, transport, multi-residential and advanced technology facilities.

Most notably, Zak was Genton’s project leader on the Powerhouse Parramatta international design competition. The winning architectural design team, selected by the Competition Jury, comprises French architecture practice Moreau Kusunoki as Lead Design and Australia’s Genton as Local Architect. The project represents the largest investment in cultural infrastructure in Australia since the Sydney Opera House and is scheduled to open on 7 November 2026.

During a period of rapid growth for the practice, Zak took on an increasingly central role in shaping Genton’s brand, positioning and approach to new opportunities, working in close collaboration with the studio’s principals across marketing, submissions and business development.

In 2022, Zak joined Woods Bagot in Sydney, deepening his commercial expertise within a global architecture practice before relocating to its London studio. As Leader, Marketing and Submissions, he directed strategic bids and pursuits across Europe, working with multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership to identify opportunities, develop compelling propositions and support business growth.

In 2026, Zak was appointed as Genton’s European Studio Lead, establishing the practice’s London presence and bringing together his experience across architecture, strategic pursuits and practice strategy. Based in London, he works with clients, collaborators and design partners across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, connecting Genton’s Australian design expertise with new opportunities and partnerships across these markets.

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24 August 2026

Firm Name: Genton

Contact Details

Genton London

85 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 6RJ

United Kingdom

+44 7909 216 267

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Genton Sydney

Level 7, 222 Clarence Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

+61 2 9696 5002

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Genton Melbourne

Level 6, 18 Oliver Lane

Melbourne VIC 3000

+61 3 9078 3686

www.genton.com.au

About Us:

Genton transforms bold ideas into impactful, enduring places. Since its inception, the practice has been dedicated to architectural innovation, creating spaces that prioritise the human experience and are designed for longevity. Founded in 2010 by Steven Toia, with studios in Melbourne and Sydney, the practice has steadily grown, earning recognition for its contributions to architecture, urban design, and sustainability.

Genton’s most prominent project to date, the Powerhouse Parramatta, was won through an international design competition in 2019 and is one of the world’s most significant new museum projects. When it opens later this year, it will become Australia’s largest cultural endeavour since the Sydney Opera House. Prior to this Genton won the design competition for Frankston railway station run by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect. This was followed by a series of commissions for award-winning transport infrastructure projects, including Reservoir Station, which received the Prix Versailles World Finale Award in 2021. Across its diverse portfolio, Genton brings design rigour and refinement to projects ranging from complex technical facilities and transport infrastructure to major urban precincts and cultural destinations.

Experience:

Architecture

Urban Design

Cultural Institutions

Rail Stations

Mixed-use precincts

Innovation Centres

Multi-residential development

Homes

Staff Information

Steven Toia, Principal

Steven Toia is the founder and principal of Genton and Local Architect for Powerhouse Parramatta. His approach combines a deep understanding of architectural principles and urban design with extensive experience in complex civic and cultural projects.

Steven’s deep understanding of architectural principles and urban design concepts, coupled with his hands-on practical experience in business, enables him to approach projects with a unique blend of creativity, practicality, and problem-solving prowess.

Steven celebrates a collaborative team culture. It’s an ethos that he instils within the practice and across the delivery teams of every project to assure quality outcomes. He has served on a multitude of industry panels, as a competition juror, presenting at conferences, workshops, and in tutoring and guest lecturing capacities at universities.

He is registered with the Board of Architects in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Marc Debney, Principal

Genton’s design leader enriches the team with a diverse range of expertise across residential, multi-residential, workplace and commercial projects, as well as public buildings and major infrastructure projects.

In his previous professional life, Marc was a lawyer, with a specialty in commercial property law – hands-on experience that ensures his thorough understanding of feasibility studies and planning applications. By remaining hands-on with his clients, Marc’s personal connection to Genton’s projects sees him involved from early concept through to construction and interior design finishes.

It’s his commitment to exceptional design standards that helps cement Genton’s reputation as an industry innovator.

Jamie McCutcheon, Principal

Jamie brings to Genton diverse international experience and a proven knowledge of the insights required for sustainable Architectural development.

His extensive delivery-focussed experience is a key component in Genton’s ability to transform large scale projects, such as Frankston Station, into award-winning Architecture while making a positive contribution to the local community. Jamie is a valued asset within the Genton team, leading the Rail and Education sectors in the office and is highly-regarded as a specialist in public spaces, places and infrastructure projects.

He has developed strong relationships with key government and commercial clients through his exceptional relationship-building skills.

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Powerhouse Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Drone photo Courtesy of Powerhouse Studio

Name: Powerhouse Parramatta

Location: Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Status: Built

Powerhouse Parramatta, one of the world’s most significant new cultural projects, will open in late 2026. Located on the banks of the Parramatta River, the future-focused museum will be a major new landmark for Australia and a global cultural destination for Western Sydney.

photo : Iwan Baan

The museum is the largest cultural infrastructure project in Australia since the Sydney Opera House, at 30,000 sqm designed by Franco-Japanese architects Moreau Kusunoki (Lead Designer) and Australian architecture firm Genton (Local Architect). The transformational project is the first state cultural institution to be built in Western Sydney, one of Australia’s fastest growing and most diverse regions.

photo : Nic Walker

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Pakenham Station, Parramatta, NSW, Australia

photos : Peter Clarke

Name: Pakenham Station

Location: Parramatta, NSW, Australia

Status: Built

Pakenham Station redefines the role of transport infrastructure as both a civic landmark and a catalyst for urban renewal. Delivered as part of Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project, the station replaces three dangerous level crossings and establishes a new elevated rail precinct that reconnects the heart of Pakenham.

The project delivers a fully integrated multi-modal transport hub accommodating Metro and V/Line services, a new bus interchange, commuter parking, cycling infrastructure and extensive pedestrian connections. By elevating the rail corridor, more than 20,000 square metres of public open space was created beneath the viaduct, transforming previously fragmented land into a connected civic landscape of parklands, shared paths and gathering spaces.

Pakenham Station Building

photo : Peter Clarke

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Reservoir Station, Victoria, Australia

photos : Peter Clarke

Name: Reservoir Station

Location: Reservoir, VIC, Australia

Status: Built

Reservoir Station revitalises the civic heart of a burgeoning suburb, with a design that references its historic character and looks to the future. Genton’s urban design led approach unifies the previously bisected High Street, to create a beacon for the suburb that is truly ‘of Reservoir’.

Elevating the tracks created the opportunity of reconnecting Edwardes Street and Broadway – the former on-grade station being an obstacle between the two – linking the central community and retail spine, catalysing pedestrian activation, enhancing accessibility and public safety, and providing newly landscaped public spaces to bring the community together.

Genton Architects images / information received 240826

Genton Architectual Designs

13 September 2026
Morris Moor Moorabbin, south-eastern suburb of Melbourne, VIC, Australia

photo : Peter Clarke
Developer Up Property’s Morris Moor, designed by Genton, transforms the former Philip Morris cigarette factory into a vibrant commercial and hospitality precinct that welcomes the community while celebrating the site’s industrial heritage.

13 September 2026
Frankston Station Building, south-eastern suburb of Melbourne

picture : Peter Clarke
Inspired by its beachfront setting, Frankston Station is a new transportation hub that draws on the character of its coastal context. Its forms, levels and planting reference the undulating landscape of sand dunes, while a sweeping canopy appears to float above the station.