STRATEGIC DESIGN + DEVELOPMENT

MCDA Collab is frequently involved where the challenge extends well beyond simply producing a design.

Development strategy, feasibility, planning, project structuring and development potential across the full development lifecycle.

Architectural design, design management, property development, construction and multidisciplinary project delivery.

Project strategy, stakeholder management, project recovery and practical pathways through complex delivery environments.

Community infrastructure, sporting and boardrider facilities, master planning, governance and long-term project feasibility.

Michael’s particular strength is his ability to lead the whole problem – identifying where value can be created, recognising and managing risk, bringing the right people together and maintaining alignment as a project moves through complexity. He works to resolve competing interests early, before they become conflict, and to develop solutions that are commercially sound, buildable and capable of working for the client, consultants, builder and other key stakeholders.

Michael Dullens is a strategic design and development consultant whose career has spanned architecture, property development, development management, construction, executive leadership, project strategy and community governance.

His work has ranged from architectural design and major project delivery through to development strategy, property development, organisational leadership, difficult-project resolution and the coordination of complex multidisciplinary and stakeholder environments.

Michael’s understanding of property development and construction began long before his professional career. Coming from a family of builders and developers, he was exposed to development from an early age and spent time working on the tools as well as learning how projects were conceived, financed, designed and built. That grounding has remained fundamental to the way he works – design is never considered in isolation from construction, cost, commercial reality or the people who ultimately have to deliver it.

Principal | MCDA Collab
Strategic Design & Development Consultant

Director | Pacesetter Developments

President | Tugun Progress Association

“Michael has great vision and understands the subtle parts of a development, including requirements from council and landscape planning. I give my unreserved recommendation.”

David Freeman
Freeman’s Organic Farm
LTCOL David Freeman, FRGS, Ret’d
General Manager, Freeman’s Organic Farm

“Always dedicated to doing what’s best for his client but never selling out to short term agendas, Michael guides projects through the tricky waters of viability to deliver sustainable outcomes that enrich all who are involved.”

Philip Follent
Former Queensland Government Architect
Gold Coast City Architect
Inaugural Head of School, Abedian School of Architecture, Bond University

“Michael is approachable and relates well with his clients. His designs are innovative, high standard and cost-sensitive. If you are looking for a design with character Michael is your guy.”

John Viklund
Director, Coastal Development Approvals

“Mike is one of the only Design managers I have dealt with who designs to a clients budget and through collaboration with the builder and client, is able to bring the client’s vision to life while making the client well aware of the cost of different finishes throughout designing their project.”

Jed Turner
Owner, J.E.T Building & Constructions Pty Ltd

Michael’s involvement in the community extends well beyond professional practice. As President of the Tugun Progress Association, he works across community organisations, sporting groups, professional consultants and government stakeholders to help turn local priorities into practical outcomes.

Through the Tugun Progress Association and Tom Atkin Hall, his work has included governance, strategic planning, fundraising, major community events, infrastructure projects, master planning and the coordination of significant government funding.

Michael also brings development management, feasibility and long-term project planning experience into community and sporting infrastructure. That means considering not only what can be designed and built, but how a facility will operate, remain viable and continue serving its community over time.

The same principle carries through his commercial and community work: understand the objective, bring the right people together, establish clear responsibilities and maintain focus on a practical, sustainable outcome.

Architecture – University of Queensland
Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management

Michael has also undertaken broader postgraduate study and professional training, including postgraduate medicine at the University of Queensland and selection as an Australian Army Aviation Cadet – pre-selected for pilot training.

His broader experience includes counselling, lifesaving and SES volunteering, together with substantial dispute-resolution experience, including acting as a mediator for NAB Bank in tripartite resolution of large-project disputes and representing bodies corporate in matters involving high-rise projects.

He has university teaching experience at the University of Queensland, has tutored at UQ and QUT, and has undertaken guest lecturing within QUT Architecture.