10 years with Melbourne Airport and Arfann Ali

"A decade at Peddle Thorp has been an incredible journey of growth and collaboration. The Terminal 3 Stage 2 redevelopment embodies the scale and complexity that drive our team, balancing technical precision with the human experience of travel " Arfann Ali

A decade of leadership

For the last ten years, Arfann Ali has been an integral part of Peddle Thorp Architects, bringing dedication, precision, and leadership to some of the practice’s most complex projects. Recently appointed as an Associate, Arfann has been at the forefront of the extensive redevelopment of Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 3 Stage 2, a program valued at over $70 million and central to the airport’s long-term vision for improved passenger experience and operational efficiency.

Transforming Melbourne Airport

The works have transformed the domestic arrivals journey, delivering a larger arrivals hall with new baggage carousels, seamless ground-level connections, enhanced support for Virgin Australia’s inbound operations, and a revitalised forecourt with retail and hospitality offerings. Arfann’s leadership has extended beyond the terminal itself, with significant integration of vertical transport systems, anti-pass back exit lanes, and precinct-wide upgrades that strengthen safety, accessibility, and passenger flow.

Detailed design and stakeholder coordination

Guiding the project through the detailed design phase, Arfann coordinated base building services, wayfinding strategies, material refinements, and façade systems, while also incorporating late-stage scope changes such as canopy redesigns and precinct signage upgrades. His ability to manage evolving stakeholder requirements, from APAM to Skybus, ensured every element aligned with Melbourne Airport’s broader master planning objectives.

Stepping into the Associate role is both a recognition and a responsibility. It’s about continuing to lead with precision and empathy, ensuring that even in complex, high-pressure projects, design remains purposeful, resilient, and forward-looking. - Arfann Ali

Recognition and progression

Arfann’s appointment as Associate recognises his ability to balance technical rigour with collaborative leadership in live, high-pressure environments. His contribution to Melbourne Airport exemplifies the future-focused and resilient design approach that defines Peddle Thorp’s work and sets a benchmark for projects of scale and complexity.