With 4 full years of business now under our belt, the Directors and Associates at PLACE Design Group took our annual 'time out' in Sydney in July to reflect on the past year and plot our path for the year ahead.

2004/2005 was one of PLACE's most successful years in our short history and saw the conitinued growth, strengthening and diversification of our business in both Australia and abroad.

A slow down in southern property markets in Melbourne and Sydney will present greater challenges but significant opportunity to companies such as PLACE with a specialist set of collaborative services focussed on unique or demanding development solutions. Brisbane and Queensland offices generally experienced significant growth in both the town planning and environmental areas of our business, the integration of these skills with our design teams track record and range of projects has lead to growing market share and recogniton in the property industry, leaving us well placed for a tighter but still boyant local market.

Our international business continues to grow and forge new markets. With now 30 staff in 2 China Offices and new projects in Croatia, the UAE and the Fiji islands, opportunities exist for both our clients and professional staff to benefit from the experience of a diverse international company still owned by a 'hands on' team who apply world's best practice to local circumstance.

As always at PLACE, one constant continued to emerge in our discussions and is a tribute to the evolving culture we have at PLACE, that is that "quality can never be subsituted". We are proud of our work and strive to deliver unique designs and outcomes to all our clients. This enthusiam and desire of our team for our projects outcomes to be held in the highest regard, stands us in good stead for the year ahead.