From Student Intern to Associate: Phalhong Mao’s Decade of Growth

HSPC congratulates Phalhong (Hong) Mao on her appointment as an Associate. Recognising more than a decade of dedication, Hong brings exceptional technical leadership to our major complex projects.

For Hong, this appointment is the culmination of a journey that began over a decade ago as a student intern. Her progression from student to registered architect, and now to Associate, demonstrates a deep and accumulated mastery of delivering complex infrastructure.

Early in her career, she had the opportunity to move between projects across Australia and internationally, including major works such as St Vincent's Private Hospital, Regis Aged Care Camberwell, and Wakefield Hospital. This journey has reinforced that growth comes from curiosity and actively engaging with every opportunity.

A Landmark Achievement: Maroochy Private Hospital

Hong’s promotion coincides with the delivery of one of the Sunshine Coast’s most significant healthcare developments. As Project Leader, she has played a central role in the design and delivery of Maroochy Private Hospital, a $100 million greenfield facility setting a new benchmark for integrated healthcare design.

“In leading this project, my aim was to create a hospital that delivers exceptional clinical care while providing a strong sense of place for the community. From the considered use of natural light to integration with the Maroochydore City Centre’s underground automated waste collection system, every design decision reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and patient wellbeing,” says Hong.

The facility provides a comprehensive range of specialty services, including six operating theatres and inpatient accommodation, and has been designed to achieve a 4 Star Green Star rating. Its connection to the City Centre’s underground pneumatic waste network reduces truck movements, noise, and operational impact. Coordinating this first-of-its-kind infrastructure required rigorous technical precision and close collaboration, and the project was delivered more than six weeks ahead of schedule, demonstrating Hong’s efficiency and leadership.

As part of the broader healthcare and research precinct, the hospital integrates clinical services, allied health functions, and research opportunities. Hong’s leadership in the base building has facilitated its future tenancy, including the University of the Sunshine Coast and Medacta, enabling the hospital to function as a hub for clinical research, workforce development, and specialist training, while ensuring spaces are flexible, functional, and designed to support ongoing innovation.

For Hong, the human experience is central to design. She has championed the delivery of spaces that support healing and wellbeing, including naturally lit circulation areas, patient-focused amenities, and connections to the surrounding community. These design decisions reflect her belief that architecture should serve both people and place, creating environments that are functional, sustainable, and inspiring, leaving a lasting positive impact on patients, staff, and the wider community.

Expanding Horizons: Samma Place – Stage 2

While her foundation is in health architecture, Hong’s technical rigour is a transferable asset. Working across both HSPC and our sister company, Peddle Thorp Architects, she is now expanding her focus to high-density residential developments.

Her involvement in the second stage of Samma Place, allows her to bring her expertise in complex coordination to the residential sector. This transition highlights the synergy between HSPC and Peddle Thorp, ensuring the technical precision required for major health buildings is applied to the vertical communities of the future.

Leading with Technical Excellence

As the construction landscape becomes increasingly regulated, the role of the architect has expanded. Hong has recently taken a leading role in Approve-in-Principal (AIP) consultations with the Department of Health. She provides valuable insight into how design intentions align with statutory requirements during design, and also undertakes site inspections on completed projects to ensure full compliance from start to finish.

Within the office, Hong’s influence is felt most keenly as a technical mentor and design-to-construction coordinator. She supports the team in leveraging digital workflows, ensures documentation quality, and applies her technical expertise to balance design intent with practical construction requirements. In a practice where both technical precision and constructability directly impact project outcomes, her guidance ensures delivery that is consistent, efficient, and of the highest standard.

‍