PRACTICE PROFILE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

PRACTICE PROFILE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

Underpinning the approach of James Davidson Architect is a strong belief that architecture is both product and process. Accordingly we value both the architectural work itself and the relationships with all involved in the building process, from clients to consultants to contractors to the eventual occupiers. Our experience is that building good relationships has many benefits for everyone involved, including minimising costs, reducing stress, and quick resolution of problems. James Davidson Architect (JDA) is a small studio-based practice that specialises in remote complex projects in Australia and overseas. Based in Cairns and Brisbane, JDA has a reputation for innovative, collaborative projects with a strong emphasis on design. JDA doesn t specialise in any specific type of work, but focuses on undertaking projects that present an opportunity to turn problems into enjoyable challenges. The more complex and difficult the project appears, the more we like it. In our approach to architecture, we have a strong belief that the discipline is by its very nature an empirical anthropology, where the making of architecture is directly linked to its social processes, culture and material context. Our work encompasses a diversity of project scales ranging from boutique residential to large institutional projects, building in particular on the practice s collective expertise in all areas of design ranging from one-off residential architecture through to multiresidential projects, interiors, cultural/public buildings, heritage, urban design and master planning. A summary of our relevant expertise includes: Complex building design and documentation including integration of services and infrastructure working with sub-consultants Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings leading to building restoration and conservation Sustainable and resilient design with a focus on climate change adaptation Project management from feasibility through to design and construction. Design and construction in remote areas taking into account local economic, employment and logistical opportunities Culturally sensitive design through meaningful engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders. 2

The Elizabeth Picture Theatre Elizabeth Street, Brisbane CBD Completed October 2017 Originally Tara House, the home of the Queensland Irish Association for over 100 years, our commission calls for the adaptive reuse of one of Brisbane s oldest and highly significant heritage buildings. Dating from the early 1900s, the Tara Ballroom spaces on the upper level are to be converted into the city s newest boutique cinema. Careful consideration has been paid to the significant heritage elements in order to both preserve and capitalise on important features. New insertions of domes and arches play on the classical characteristics of existing spaces and the connection to Irish cultural heritage and history. Innovative 3D laser scanning has provided highly accurate documentation both internally and externally, which has allowed a new level of accuracy while aiding the client during the building approval process. 3

UPDATE PHOTOS Wilson s Cottage Lizard Island, North Queensland Completed 2016 The clients ambition for this project was to create the best reef house in the world - with this as a starting point, coupled with the site s world heritage listed, island location, we had the opportunity to create a truly bespoke house that responded with an architectural sensitivity that reflected its pristine environment. Great innovation was required in order to navigate the difficult terrain surrounding the site. With an eye to the physical qualities of the site, the design concept became not only about touching the earth lightly but also about receding into the landscape and hugging the slope of the hill so that the physical presence of the house became somewhat hidden in its surrounds. As a direct reflection of its remote, and at times harsh environment, the physical form of the house became one of a robust outer timber shell which is designed to weather over time in meshing with the surrounding geology to recede even further in its landscape over time. Most times the house is left completely open, while other times it serves as the protector during the harsh climatic events for which the region is known. The design of the house consists of a refined interior over which floats a beautiful parasol roof that acts more like a tree in shading the house throughout the day. 4

Gab Titui Cultural Centre Thursday Island, Queensland Completed 2016 In 2010, JDA was approached to design the additions and alterations to the existing Gab Titui Torres Strait Cultural Centre on Thursday Island. Initially a simple program of adding a new access ramp to the building and reconfiguring some of the interior spaces became a complex project questioning the role of cultural centre architecture in Indigenous identity creation and maintenance. For example, as a focus for the many and varied Torres Strait cultures, the centre functions as an art gallery and quasi-museum space whereby local artisans produce artworks. The challenge for the project is how to create a place on Thursday Island that supports the contemporary Indigenous cultural activities of the entire Torres Strait while at the same time enabling the continuation of the existing economy based on the curatorial activities of the centre. 5

Saila Terrace (Miskin Estate) Townhouses Thursday Island, Queensland Completed 2016 Located in an extremely hot and humid climate, the Clark Street housing project on Thursday Island responds to its locale, topography and program with a broadly applicable tropical multiresidential model. The planning of the 18 dualattached dwellings maximises the site s northern orientation and prevailing breezes while utilising the site s topography as it rises and falls to maintain privacy between individual houses. The buildings themselves have a strong individual architectural character which reflects its place and offers real comfort and delight in 180 degree views to the Coral Sea and Torres Strait islands nearby. In this intense climate, the tightly planned townhouses offer protected external living zones at both upper and lower levels. A soaring northern eave line provides architectural interest and encourages cooling natural cross-ventilation on even the hottest of summer days. The Clark Street project offers a model for ecologically responsible housing in remote tropical regions beset by the challenges of remote and complex procurement situations. 6

Savusavu House Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji Completed 2015 Situated near Maravu on Savu Savu Island in Fiji, the proposition for this house has been driven by the dramatic topography and views to the lagoon and Pacific Ocean in the foreground and background respectively. The clients requested that the design for the overall site reflects an iterative process with the site taking on an informal distribution of dwellings over time. The initial house is the first of what will eventually be four stages of additions. Early on in the design process it became evident that the house was not only about the view as in this particular situation one also needs to be able to shelter from the south east trade winds in winter. Minimal disruption to the site is achived by perching the house above the gentle slope of the site. Local Fijian building contractors have been consulted on construction methods in an attempt to respect the cultural norms that exist in the region. 7

Rainforest House Cairns, North Queensland Completed 2016 The Cairns Rainforest House is located in a rainforest setting at the base of the Kuranda Range on the outskirts of Cairns. Located in an extremely hot and humid climate, the site planning response involves locating the building on a natural terrace with the rainforest as a backdrop. The house itself reflects its tropical location with soaring eave lines and a roof overhang which at times extends more than two metres from the face of the house. The open plan is complemented by either large sliding doors or louvred floor to ceiling windows on at least three sides to each room. Cross ventilation is paramount so an internal stair atrium is set up to attract and guide prevailing breezes through the house. The house is rarely closed up as the line between internal and external spaces is deliberately blurred. The Chatham Tce project sits within the strong vernacular housing tradition so ubiquitous in tropical North Queensland. 8

1 PERSPECTIVE GLADSTONE RD VIEW 1 2 PERSPECTIVE MORRIS ST VIEW As Brisbane s urban footprint continues to expand outwards and upwards, James Davidson Architect believes a new way of thinking is necessary to house the city s growing population. Using the Nightingale model, our aim is to produce a well-designed, sustainable and community-orientated alternative for urban housing that focuses on livability and affordability in Brisbane s subtropical environment. The Brisbane housing market has widely rejected densification; James Davidson Architect aims to lead the way and show homebuyers that it is possible to not only retain a high standard of living in a higher density environment, but do this in an ethical way that benefits the community. This is a key design driver of our proposal: to capture the qualities of Brisbane s traditional housing vernacular the Queenslander and reinterpret them in a multi-residential dwelling. James Davidson Architect will be collaborating with Austin Maynard Architects to create Brisbane s first Nightingale project. We hope to make a positive contribution to our own neighbourhood, making it a safer, more inclusive and family-friendly community. 9

james davidson BArch (Hons1) PhD 2017 Water Futures Book Publication 2013 Winston Churchill Trust Fellow 2009-present James Davidson Architect (Principal) 2009-2013 AERC Research Fellow, Uni of QLD 2006-2013 Emergency Architects Australia (Director) 2006-2009 Donovan Hill Residential Studio Manager 2003-2006 Neolido (Development Manager) 2000-2009 Doctorate of Philosophy in Architecture 1995-1999 University of QLD Dean s Commendation 1993-1999 University of Queensland (B.Arch Hons1) James Davidson has lectured world wide and has run studio, urban and residential design workshops in the Netherlands, UK and the USA. In addition to being the principal at JDA, James holds a Doctorate in Architecture with a primary focus on vernacular building traditions and change, which he continues to develop in JDA s practice work. During his time at architects Donovan Hill, James worked on numerous residential and multiresidential projects. He is also a previous director of Emergency Architects Australia, where he led their 2011 Queensland Floods relief project. James was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2013 focusing on urban design and residential architecture, climate change adaptation and flooding in the Netherlands, USA and UK. James has become a leader in flood-resilient architecture, both in Australia and internationally. He coordinated a workshop at the Deltas in Times of Climate Change Conference in Rotterdam, 2014 as well as being invited to contribute to the Resilient Rockhampton Workshop in 2015. He is also a steering committee member for the bi-annual International Conference on Amphibious Architecture, Design and Engineering. In 2016, James facilitated a 5 day design charrette which brought together 170 professionals from over 20 different disciplines to work towards a regional water management plan for SEQ. In 2017, James published the culmination of this work, titled, Water Futures: Integrated Water and Flood Management Strategies for Enhancing Liveability in South East Queensland. 10

martin arroyo BArch MPhil 1994 2000 National Uni of Engineering, Perú (B.Arch) 2001 SENCICO National Institute (Project Management) 2002-2004 University of QLD (MPhil by Design) 2004 Communications Tutor, Uni of QLD 2004 2006 Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects 2007 2010 Donovan Hill Architects 2010 present James Davidson Architect After completing initial studies at the prestigious National University of Engineering in Lima, Peru, Martin moved to Australia to complete a Masters of Architecture at the University of Queensland, in 2004. He has since worked at a number of architectural practices in his adopted city of Brisbane, namely Elizabeth Watson-Brown Architects, Donovan Hill and Bligh Voller Nield. During this time, he worked on such notable projects as the Translational Research Institute and the Zilzie Seaspray Resort 11

clive ba-pe BArch, MArch 2007-2010 Uni of Queensland, Bachelor of Architectural Design 2010-2011 Noel Robinsion Architects 2013-2014 Uni of Queensland Master of Architecture 2014-2015 Project Habitation 2015-present James Davidson Architect Clive holds a Bachelor of Architectural Design and Master of Architecture from The University of Queensland. He joined JDA due to his strong interest in progressive, climate responsive architecture and his passion for remote and challenging design. Formerly working in graphic design and illustration, he is always interested in how he can improve a situation through design & visual communication. Being of Burmese heritage, Clive is particularly interested in architecture s role in Asia, having undertaken post-tsunami housing research in Tohoku, Japan. Clive is also the 3D visual artist at James Davidson Architect. britt hill BArch, MArch 2009-2014 University of QUT Bachelor of Architectural Design 2011-2012 Politecnico Di Milano 2013-2013 Hassell Studio 2015-2016 University of QUT Master of Architecture 2014-1017 Guymer Bailey Architects Britt is a Graduate Architect and Creative who seeks to use design as a tool for positive social change. Her own Architectural practice is focussed on creating simple, community-minded and context-specific design responses she has a particular interest in Emergency Architecture and the improvement of Social Housing. Britt will have the opportunity to further explore these topics in her upcoming project Making Home, in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Architects, which will comprise of the investigation and documentation of what and where people call home, with a focus of lower-socio-economic areas across the United States and Europe. 12

COLLABORATORS tony black Black and More Tony is a Founding Director of Black & More (2000) and The Partners Group Australia (2016). He is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Registered Professional Engineer (RPEQ) with more than 20 years experience in planning, design and construction of civil engineering infrastructure. He has demonstrated experience in the planning, design, procurement and construction of major infrastructure planning and design projects on behalf of all three levels of government. His experience encompasses; civil and structural engineering design; project management and procurement; contract management and superintendency; asset management; value for money assessment; risk mitigation and community consultation. kym kennedy Black and More Kym is a Senior Civil Designer and Drafter with more than 14 years experience in the design and documentation of civil projects throughout Queensland. Kym acts in the role of Design Office Manager and assists in the training of other designers in the use of 12D and urban design procedures. Her project experience includes documentation of trunk infrastructure projects and large-scale master planned communities. She has extensive experience in subdivision development throughout Queensland including both major urban design and remote and Indigenous projects. Kym is expert in the development of 3-dimensional drive throughs of 12D models and she prepares high level presentations for community consultation. She has also assisted RPEQ s in the preparation of design advice for court cases. duncan stone Black and More Duncan has a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree from the University of Queensland majoring in civil and geotechnical engineering. Duncan s area of expertise predominantly lies around civil infrastructure and roads projects. His experience includes design and documentation, contract conception and development, quality systems and assurance and project management. Duncan has been involved in several large projects, predominantly focussed on the assessment and provision of civil and road infrastructure in remote communities in the Cape York Peninsula and in South-East Queensland. Duncan s prior experience includes geotechnical investigations, laboratory testing and geotechnical reporting. He has recently expanded his technical ability to the civil engineering and project management environment. 13

COLLABORATORS sam persley Camasrory Group Sam Persley has been involved in the Property industry for over fifteen years and is currently a Director of Camasrory Group, specializing in providing clients with development management and project management services across a broad range of sectors with Sam focusing particularly on the residential and aged care sectors where he is currently delivering, on behalf of other private developers within Brisbane, over 400 new apartments and playing a key acquisitions and development management role for a multi-national aged care provider. In addition to this role Sam also has his own boutique development company that specialises in medium density architecturally designed projects. Sam is currently the Development Manager on JDA s Nightingale project. twofold studio Interior Designers Twofold Studio is an Interior Design practice based in Brisbane, Australia. Twofold collaborates with James Davidson Architect on several residential and commercial projects. Founding Directors and Senior Interior Designers Melissa Blight and Jacqueline Jones have had more than 25 years of industry experience and have been involved in many award winning projects. visualiii digital artists Visualiii are a 3D visual artist practice based in Brisbane, Australia, Lead by Troy Rafton, they specialise in working with architects and developers to produce high quality professional images to enhance and represent their designs. Visualiii work with James Davidson Architect to produce outstanding 3D images. 14

11b Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill PO Box 3239, South Brisbane Qld 4101 studio@jamesdavidsonarchitect.com.au +61738465621 www.jamesdavidsonarchitect.com.au ABN 83 618 217 691