Jackson Clements Burrows Architects (JCB)

In over a decade of delivering student accommodation buildings for Melbourne universities – a portfolio that has recently extended to QLD, SA and NSW – we’ve developed a deep appreciation for the rich and diverse nature of on-campus student communities. Bringing people together from across Australia and around the globe, these vibrant living and learning environments empower individuals to flourish in their academic and personal lives, forge important friendships and feel safe and supported while away from home, many for the first time. Designing for these communities has taught us the importance of creating spaces that embed wellbeing, sustainability and accessibility. Our approach has been shaped by different pastoral care models but always recognises the value of incidental interaction. The importance of “in between spaces”, if you like, that encourage students to talk, hang out or find quiet space where and when they like. Because sometimes the difference between a good day and a lonely one is a happy conversation. All images by Peter Clarke: Journal Campus House, Monash University Gillies Hall, Monash Turner Hall and La Trobe University North and South Apartments.   

We’re pleased to announce two recent promotions. Please join us in congratulating: Chloe Hinchliffe, Associate.  Chloe is a creative, high-energy interior designer, brimming with ideas and proactive thinking across a diverse range of interior design projects and typologies. Highly responsive and client-focused, she brings a spirited and warm presence to both client relationships and broader practice initiatives, including our Reconciliation Action Plan. Hansen Amann, Associate.   Hansen brings highly specialised and capable design leadership to our multi-residential team, combining broad experience across a range of scales with a thoughtful, collaborative and considered approach. His hand sketches often capture the essence of a project, serving as a powerful way to communicate with clients and inspiring excitement for subsequent stages of design development.

Her Excellency the Hon Ms Sam Mostyn AC and His Excellency Mr Simeon Beckett SC have been announced as joint patrons of Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Centre of Excellence. Professor Michelle Trudgett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership, at Western Sydney University, commented: “Their joint patronage is a powerful affirmation of our vision for Indigenous-led education, research, and leadership, and aligns with their respective personal and professional commitments to inclusion, equity and social progress.” Our design team, including Peter Stutchbury Architecture and Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture, with Uncle Dean Kelly, Hill Thalis Architecture and Flux Consult, has been incredibly busy in recent months, and we look forward to construction beginning in 2026. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/grVwpeTj

JCB's Brisbane studio is looking for passionate & collaborative Architect or Experienced Graduate of Architecture with strong design, documentation, presentation and delivery skills. Based in our Adelaide Street studio, you’ll be working in a collaborative and inclusive team environment to deliver exciting, design-focused projects. In this role you will: -Produce concept, schematic, design development presentation packages -Prepare accurate construction documentation in Revit -Collaborate with clients and consultants with support of Project Leaders -Provide contract administration assistance for projects under construction -Assist with any other design and documentation tasks You'll work closely with our team and clients to deliver high-quality design & documentation packages for multi-residential, education and public projects. You will need: -5 Years Experience (minimum) -Proficiency using Revit -Proficiency using Sketch-Up and Adobe Suite  -Excellent communication skills -Confidence presenting to clients and consultants Experience in multi-residential, education or public projects is essential, along with: -Positive, proactive and motivated attitude -Capacity to work as part of a team or autonomously  No agency applications, direct applications only. Please apply with your CV and portfolio via careers@jcba.com.au

In recent weeks, we’ve had the rewarding experience of presenting to prospective clients in Brisbane and learning more about many of the transformational projects taking shape across the city – and the state. A recurring area of interest has been our expertise in mass timber construction, with enthusiastic questions about the advantages mass timber offers and the “whys” of building with it. The whys are many – the fulfilment of carbon reduction commitments, speed of construction, less waste and noise on site, the ability to use locally produced materials, the structural resolution of buildings that are robust, pragmatic and authentic. Beyond this is the sensation of being in a mass timber building – the warm, calming feeling of timber spaces. Two current projects, Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Centre of Excellence and Monash Student Living, explore novel ways to combine Designing with Country principles with mass timber, promising extraordinary results. Images: Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre by Peter Clarke, Clifton Hill Primary School by Peter Clarke, T3 Collingwood by Tom Blachford, Monash Gillies Hall by Peter Clarke, Decjuba HQ by Peter Clarke, Sweetwater House by Tom Blachford. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g_GRAuAz and https://lnkd.in/eYMvsAWr

Next month, JCB Associate Principal Sarah Lynn Rees will join Carroll Go-Sam and Dillon Kombumerri to present the Melbourne edition of The Architecture Symposium 2025. The program features a line-up of 13 speakers who will explore best practice when designing for First Nations clients, communities and Country through case studies and reflections on their work. It'll be a chance to consider how far the industry has come, how far it still has to go – and see many of the extraordinary projects that come out of these richly layered and remarkable collaborations. https://lnkd.in/g7HmYBKq

Josh Blashki's terrific conversation with Graham Burrows and Site Office's Chris Sawyer about St Kilda Promenade and the St Kilda Pier Redevelopment provides great insight into the projects and their history. As they say, everyone has a story about St Kilda and its distinctive mix of art, culture, bohemia, music, grittiness, exuberance, fun – and beach. With another summer just around the corner, we're excited to see the pier take on the colour, energy and life that made it so magical and spectacular last year.

Clifton Hill Primary School features on the cover of this month’s edition of Architecture Mouvement Continuité (AMC). This special edition of the French design publication is devoted to schools and features the work of practices across Europe including Aaun, Atelier Mue, Bruno Mader, Compagnie Architecture, Gaëtan Le Penhuel, Gradoli & Sanz, Marjan Hessamfar & Joe Vérons and Pelletier De Fontenay. Clifton Hill was an important project for JCB. Designed during Melbourne's challenging COVID lockdowns, the project provided an opportunity to take learnings from large-scale student housing projects using mass timber construction and Passivhaus principles and apply them to the design of a vertical school for years 5 & 6 students. Achieving Passivhaus Certification, a first for the VSBA, the school draws on the whimsy of Eric Carle’s 1969 children’s picture book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” with a ribbon band of glazed green bricks and use of circular “bite like” apertures referencing the caterpillar and its journey. The use of textured red brick marries the original school buildings with the furry skin of a caterpillar, creating a contemporary building with a playful overlay. Last year the project was recognized at the AIA National Architecture Awards for Educational Architecture.