Allen Jack+Cottier

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Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Allen Jack+Cottier (AJ+C) is an award winning architectural practice. Principals Michael Heenan and Peter Ireland head up the Sydney architectural practice of over 80 staff, in their Chippendale studio.

AJ+C combines 60 years of experience with the ability to see things in new and dynamic ways, and delivers award-winning urban, interior, heritage and graphic designs.

John Allen began the firm in 1952 and in 1956 formed a partnership with, university friend Russell Jack. The firm, initially called John Allen and Russell C Jack was renamed Allen Jack+Cottier in 1964 when Keith Cottier became a partner.

Partners

John Allen’s father encouraged him to become a solicitor and he was accepted into University of Sydney’s Law School in 1945. A year later Allen’s interest in art and design prompted him to instead enrol in Architecture at Sydney Technical College. To gain practical experience during his six-year course Allen worked for Fowell & Mansfield until late 1948 and then for Rudder, Littlemore & Rudder. An economic downturn in 1951-1952 saw Allen redundant and lead to him to become a sole practitioner by July, 1952. Initially Allen limited his work to small-scale additions and alterations for friends and family. His first significant entirely new project was a house completed in Vancouver street, Red Hill, Australian Capital Territory.

Russel Callum Jack was a contemporary of Allen’s at Sydney Technical College and with him at Rudder, Littlemore & Rudder whilst completing his studies. Jack aspired to be an architect from a young age and during his years in the Royal Australian Air Force he studied building construction and freehand drawing by correspondence. Jack won many prizes after graduation including the prestigious Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship. In May 1952 Jack set off with fellow architects to London where he worked for Tripe & Wakeham Architecture Firm for a few months, his work there included a harem for the Sheik of Kuwait. During his time in Europe he travelled through the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. This experience developed and broadened Jack’s understanding of townscapes and urban spaces. Upon Jacks return to Australia he gained more professional experience at Rudder, Littlemore & Rudder for two years.

In July 1956 John Allen and Russel Jack formed an equal partnership. For the first few years their clientele was relatively small limited to Allen focusing on some factory designs and Jack designing a few houses. Allen’s pre-fabricated steel design for Wolfe Electric Tools Factory 1957, at Homebush was the basis for future industrial structures, notably QANTAS and Keith Cottier’s Domaine Chandon. Keith Cottier joined the firm in 1957, Allen and Jack recognised Cottier’s prominent architectural talent after seeing his designs for Clubbe Hall and shortly after Cottier was made partner. In 1964 the firm was renamed Allen Jack + Cottier.

Selected projects

Selected major projects, by year of completion:

  • John Phillips Library – UWS Kingswood Campus, Penrith, Sydney, NSW, Australia (2015)

AJ+C provided an integrated concept and development design for the construction of a landmark new library building at the University of Western Sydney’s Kingswood campus. AJ+C’s design is for an efficient, inspiring and user-friendly library that consolidates facilities from two campuses. The new five-storey, 6700 square-metre library provides space for study and research. Large skylights and windows welcome natural light and offer campus views. The design team opted for an efficient boxlike form for storing book-stacking systems. A slight curve in elevation provides space for the ‘Library Lawn’ – a landscaped, informal gathering space with stepped seating. Red-brick retaining walls allow the library to complements and merge with existing campus buildings. Glazing on the ground floor makes a visual statement while creating a feeling of warmth and accessibility. AJ+C’s design project also provides external works to ensure integration with the campus masterplan, including connections to infrastructure, both existing and proposed.

  • Studio Sydney Tower, Sydney, NSW, Australia (2014)

AJ+C’s vision for Studio in Sydney Tower shows restraint through a carefully designed fitout and lighting, while highlighting Sydney Harbour vistas. Allen Jack+Cottier was asked to create a space for multi-purpose use within the iconic Sydney Tower. Rather than seeming like a convention centre, this space was to have the feel of a New York loft or high-end residential apartment. The loft would be used for a range of events, including conferences, dinners, cocktail parties, product launches and weddings. In its clever use of harmonious materials, furniture, fixtures and finishes, AJ+C’s design changes the focus from corporate to contemporary residential, showcasing sophisticated style and versatility. Creating a warmer, softer space, AJ+C has de-commercialised the space, simultaneously drawing attention to a spectacular location and providing a relaxing ambience. Window seating around the perimeter allows visitors to feel they are sitting amongst the clouds, appreciating unparallelled views of the Sydney cityscape and harbour.

  • Kerrie Murphy Building, Sydney, NSW, Australia (2012)

The Kerrie Murphy Building, with its organic pebble shapes and bold street presence, is a joyous response to its use as an urban centre for learning and play. Completed for the cost of an ordinary school hall, the playful and original Kerrie Murphy Building houses an arts and crafts facility, a library, staff offices and an indoor sports hall. On its roof sits an outdoor playground shaded by photovoltaic cells, ensuring every inch of premium urban space is used to full capacity. Up-to-the-minute engineering provides natural ventilation systems, which are adaptable to prevailing winds, and e-glass technology for insulation. Solar energy and water are harvested for the school’s use. This unique building energises the school community with its spirit of adventure and possibility. Inspired by the massive forms of Ultimo’s warehouses, and yet bringing something new to the streetscape, the Kerrie Murphy Building makes an inspiring addition to the neighbourhood.

  • Milson Island Indoor Sports Stadium, Brooklyn New South Wales, Australia (2010)

The floating steel canopy of the Milson Island Indoor Sports Hall is an inventive, poetic response to place with an inbuilt sense of fun. The graceful curved roof of the hall is attuned perfectly to its island site on the Hawkesbury River.Reacting to prevailing winds, heating and cooling itself as required, separating leaves and branches, collecting and filtering rainwater, it is a shelter shaped by local conditions. A narrow entrance, framed by two dark service pods, opens dramatically onto the light-filled hall. Once inside, continuous glazing beneath the floating roof provides playing children with a constant connection to the bush landscape.The proscenium arch makes a dramatic backdrop to the children’s theatre performances, both inside the hall and out by the campfire at night. The project is Michael Heenan’s follow up to his World Architecture Award-winning Berry Sports Hall, bearing the same hallmarks of playfulness, originality and sensitivity to site.

  • Kogarah Town Square

External links

References

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