A 20+ Year Journey and New Horizons: A Conversation with Socrati Seretis
We caught up with Socrati Seretis, who has been with Peddle Thorp for over 20 years. From leading major projects to actively driving business development alongside his project work, he reflects on the journey so far and what lies ahead.
After nearly two decades of shaping projects and mentoring teams, Peddle Thorp Architects’ Principal, Socrati Seretis, has increasingly focused on business development as a key part of his role. His journey is marked by a deep commitment to quality, collaboration, and long-term thinking. In this conversation, Socrati reflects on the projects that defined his career, the lessons learned, and his vision for connecting people and opportunities in his new role.
Early Days: Your Initial Roles
When I joined Peddle Thorp over 20 years ago, my focus was on developing strong technical and design skills while working across a wide range of project typologies. Early in my career I had the opportunity to contribute to complex international projects such as QNB Tower Headquarters in Doha and Kanad Hospital in the UAE, which exposed me to large multidisciplinary teams, demanding delivery programs and global standards of design coordination.
Those early experiences shaped my approach to architecture. They reinforced the importance of collaboration, clear communication and rigorous documentation. Working on large projects early in my career also taught me how architecture sits within a broader ecosystem of consultants, contractors and clients, something that has continued to guide how I lead projects today.
Key Projects: Highlights of Significant Projects, Challenges Overcome, and Lessons Learned
- Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre
- Ivanhoe Grammar School – Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre
- Albury Entertainment Centre Convention Wing Redevelopment
- Cairns Aquarium & Marine Research Facility
- Port Pirie Community Sports Hub
- QNB Tower HQ
- Kanad (Oasis) Hospital, UAE
Throughout my career at PTA I’ve had the opportunity to lead and contribute to a diverse range of projects that have shaped communities and complex urban environments. Projects such as the Cairns Aquarium and Marine Research Facility pushed the boundaries of technical coordination and specialist environments, while the Albury Entertainment Centre Convention Wing Redevelopment demonstrated the importance of integrating new civic infrastructure into an established urban context.
More recently, projects such as Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre and Ivanhoe Grammar School’s Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre, have reinforced the social value of community infrastructure. These facilities bring people together and require careful balance between operational performance, sustainability, cost management and long term community benefit. Each project has reinforced that successful outcomes are achieved through strong collaboration and a clear focus on the end user experience.
Transitioning to Business Development: A New Frontier
Motivation for Change: What Inspired You to Move into Business Development
After many years delivering complex projects, I found myself increasingly drawn to the early stages of conversations with clients, helping shape opportunities before they become buildings. Moving into business development felt like a natural progression, allowing me to contribute to the strategic growth of the practice while still drawing on my project experience.
Having spent two decades understanding how projects evolve from concept through delivery, I’m passionate about helping clients navigate that journey from the very beginning. It’s about building relationships, identifying opportunities and ensuring that the right teams are brought together to deliver meaningful outcomes.
Leveraging Experience: How Your Project Background Helps the Approach to Business Development
My background in leading complex projects allows me to approach business development with a practical and informed perspective. I understand the realities of project delivery, from planning approvals and cost management through to construction coordination and stakeholder engagement.
This experience allows me to have more meaningful conversations with clients about risk, value and opportunity. Whether discussing a civic facility like Wurdi Baierr, a commercial refurbishment such as 628 Bourke Street, a mixed use development like Pivot House – Geelong Quest, or a highly specialised environment such as Cairns Aquarium, I can draw on real project knowledge to help shape the right approach from the outset.
Closing Thoughts: Advice and Reflections
Words of Wisdom: Your Advice for Aspiring Professionals in the Industry
Architecture is a long journey, and the most important thing is to stay curious and committed to learning. The profession is about much more than design. It is about people, collaboration, problem solving and understanding how buildings impact communities.
My advice to younger professionals is to embrace opportunities to work across different project types and to learn from every consultant and contractor you work with. Those relationships and experiences are what ultimately shape your ability to deliver great projects.
Final Reflections: What 19 Years Have Meant to You and Your Hopes for the Future
My time at Peddle Thorp has been incredibly rewarding. Over the past two decades I’ve had the privilege of working with talented teams, mentoring younger architects and contributing to projects that make a tangible difference to communities.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the opportunity to connect people, ideas and projects through my role in business development. It’s about building on the strong foundations of the practice while helping shape the next generation of meaningful and impactful projects.
