Meet The People Behind YSH

Pamela Santos Bubols joined the YSH Property team in February 2025 in the role of Architectural Draftsperson, which sees her working on the design of rooming houses. With keen attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills, Pam enjoys and is motivated by finding solutions to make the most of the land while ensuring compliance with regulations and meeting the project’s needs. In her words, ‘project design is a big puzzle, where each piece needs its own place, and every detail matters, as does the designer’s attitude in making it all come together’.

Born in Brazil and growing up in a very close-knit family in the southern city of Porto Alegre, Pam’s biggest inspiration has always been her hard-working and dedicated mother, who emphasised the importance of education. When her family began construction of a new home when Pam was about eight years old, she developed an interest in architecture and visited the site every week. She was fascinated that it was possible to build something from drawings, which her uncle, then a builder, showed her and explained to her. She then began creating her own drawing layouts, ‘just for fun’.

Straight from high school, Pam was awarded a scholarship to study architecture at university and was later selected for an exchange program at the University of the Republic in Uruguay, where she broadened her knowledge of urban planning.

Back in Brazil, her first position was as a trainee in the heritage conservation sector with the government, where she was responsible for preserving iconic buildings from Brazil’s colonial period. Her focus then shifted to working with architecture firms on the design and development of residential and commercial projects.

Becoming fascinated by landscapes and other cultures, and driven by a desire to see the world’s architecture and urban spaces first-hand, something about Sydney piqued Pam’s interest and she became determined to come to Australia.

Arriving here in search of new opportunities, deeper knowledge and professional growth, she worked with a building construction firm in Byron Bay and an interior design studio on the Gold Coast. These roles reinforced her belief that curiosity and the pursuit of professional development are what drives her to improve every day, and that her greatest satisfaction derives from delivering projects that are not only functional but that resonate with the people who experience them. For her, the greatest achievement is when a design comes to life and drawings are transformed into spaces that shape people’s daily experiences and genuinely enhance their lives.

At YSH, Pam is inspired by what she sees as the perfect balance between creative freedom and guidance, where she is given the space to explore her ideas and push boundaries while also having the support and mentorship to refine her skills. For her, ‘it’s the ideal environment for learning and growth, where every project is an opportunity to improve and innovate’.

Heeding what she considers to be the best piece of advice she ever received, which came from her brother, Pam believes in making the most of every opportunity and giving her very best every time. She is proud of her determination and resilience in overcoming challenges and adapting to new situations, whether they be moving to a new country or starting a new project, and she embraces change and learning from the process.

Away from work, Pam loves training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (hoping one day to participate competitively), cooking new recipes and spending time with her fiancé, family and friends … relaxing with a movie, trying a new restaurant or laughing in good company are favourites.

A highlight of her life was visiting Japan and immersing herself in a completely different architectural culture, experiencing a lifestyle tied to martial arts, and discovering a whole new world.