Introduction

The JMA period of architecture began in the early 70's with John Mainwaring graduating from the University of Queensland in 1972. During the undergraduate years he worked with the then lecturers in design, Patrick Moroney and Andy Stenders and Ron Burling at the Gold Coast firm of Clarke Gazzard sales office, LJ Hooker, Surfers Paradise.

The first house completed independently in this period was a two-storey fibro and timber residence at Mt Gravatt in Brisbane with colleague Paul Memmott. Also during these undergraduate years, John constructed geodesic domes (Buckminster Fuller mania!) for alternative clients in northern NSW. During his year off he worked in North London, UK and Copenhagen, Denmark. In England he worked on a variety of projects including a medieval Carmelite monastery in Kent and the first Allied Irish bank in Britain. From here he travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and sailed many parts of the world.

During 1973-1974 John built and designed the Springbrook House for his mother, Sybil Mainwaring, in a remote mountainside location in the Gold Coast hinterland. Combining second hand bricks from the demolished gas works in Brisbane with a post and beam structure, John developed carpentry and building skills during this period. In 1972 before it became fashionable, he also completed his undergraduate thesis on Ecological Planning Constraints, assisted by his botanist and environmentalist mother. It was in 1997 that the Noosa located, St Vincent's Nursing Home, won a National Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) environmental citation.

Around this time John had problems with the University examiner in professional practice, and was unable to gain entry for his PHD in Environmental Design under Ian McHarg at Pennsylvania. He then embarked on a period of part time lecturing and tutoring at the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology. There was also a short stint at the State Government Works Department indispersed with contract work. In 1976 John sailed his first Sydney to Hobart with Brisbane architect Kerry Spencer on the timber Sparkman and Stephens 36 ft yacht "Suraya."

Whilst heading north on his yacht "Brise" in 1978, John met Gabriel Poole in the Mooloolaba Yacht Club bar and temporarily took over from Lindsay Clare in Gabriel's office - however he stayed there until '85. The first job he took over from Lindsay was "Pottingers Restaurant" and he built his own steel and ply "Riverhouse" in 81 & 82 and worked on many projects with Gabriel including "The Hastings" in central Noosa. In 1983 John won a QLD RAIA citation for "Banfield" - five innovative group title single skin "timber" bungalows at Mission Beach, North Queensland.

In 1985 John Mainwaring and Associates (JMA) was set up in the garage of the Riverhouse. In the early nineties, due to economic necessity, the Riverhouse was sold and the Powell House, keeping the central landscape spine, was built which won the Robin Dods award in 1993.

A new family house in the form of the "Canal House" was built at Noosa Waters and won the Robin Dods award in 1994. In 1996 the first riverside Chapman House was built at Noosaville, which also won a Robin Dods award and Robin Boyd award in 1996. In 1997, with Sydney architects Lawrence Nield and Neil Hansen, he completed the Sunshine Coast University Library, which won the RAIA State FDG Stanley award and the National RAIA Sir Zelman Cowen award for public buildings. In the same year St. Vincent's Nursing Home in Noosa won a RAIA Commercial Award and National Environmental citation.

JMA has always maintained an interest in urban design as the fundamental principles in architectural projects need to be applied collectively for urban projects. John completed the Wallace Park masterplan for the Noosa Council in the late 80's. This "recreational and cultural campus" consisted of a 1930's heritage house (RM Wilson), new library, sports centre and environmental centre.

After completing a row of offices and residence for the Sykes family in Hastings Street during the early eighties, John became a member of the Hastings Street streetscape design committee. Over the next decade JMA, with landscape architect Doug Crombe, completed the urban design for the Noosa Junction streetscape and the Noosaville riverfront and Gympie Terrace precinct. At this time, the Great Sandy Information Centre was designed but not built until 2001.

In 1998 the Queen Street Mall design refurbishment in central Brisbane was carried out under the design directorship of John. This project won a RAIA State Merit award for civic design. Around this time the second Chapman House (Dragon House) at Sunshine Beach was built and won, in 2000, the QLD RAIA Best New House award.


OTHER ACHIEVMENTS
University Thesis - "Ecological Design Constraints", is now being actively incorporated into emerging urban design roles.

Inaugural Chairman of the Sunshine Coast branch of the "National Trust".
1992 Member of Urban and Architectural delegation to China under Jim Birrell.
1993 Committee member of "Liveability Paper" for SEQ 2001.
1993 Addressed NSW Institute of Architects - Sydney.
1996 Exhibited UIA Barcelona 96 Present & Future: Architecture in Cities
"From Edge to Centre: Future Housing for the Sub-Tropical City".

CONSULTANCIES
  • On assessment panel for RiverPark Development Newstead: Client: Urban Renewal Taskforce.
  • Design for Sunshine Coast University – Dilli Village –Fraser Island: Science Research and Interpretive Facility.
  • Masterplanning for Wallace Park Civic Precinct – Noosaville.
  • Great Artesian Interpretive Centre – Julia Creek.
  • Consultant for Urban Renewal Taskforce – Bowen Hills / Newstead Precinct.
  • Short-listed for Queensland Government Library project South Bank Brisbane.
  • Short-listed for North Bank Urban Design project Brisbane.
  • Architectural Consultant for University New Town at Sippy Downs, Maroochydore, QLD.
  • Design Consultant for Mirvac Southbank mixed use development – Brisbane, QLD.






Awards
2008

World Architecture Award

Shortlisted - Contemplation Space

Cooroy studio

 

2008

Australian Institute of Architects - 25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture - Bandfield

Mission beach

 
2008

Australina Institute of Architects Regional

Commendation - Canal House 2

Noosa

 

2008

Australian Institute of Architects Regional

Commendation - Cooroy Studio

Mt. Cooroy

 
2007

ASI Steel Award - Winner Architectural Design Award - Cooroy Studio

Mt. Cooroy

 
2007

Noosa Glossies - Environmental Award - Cooroy Studio

Mt. Cooroy

 
2007

UDIA National Award - Large Medium Density Projects - Viridian Residences

Noosa

 
2006

Royal Australian Institute of Architects QLD Medium Density Residential Award - Viridian

Noosa

 
2006

UDIA State Award - Large Medium Density Projects - Viridian Residences

Noosa

 
2006

Noosa Glossies - Climate and Context Award - Viridian

Noosa

 
2006

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Regional Commendation - Viridian Homes

Noosa

 
2006

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Regional Award and Building of the Year - Viridian Residences

Noosa

 
2005

Timber Design Award - Best Queensland Entry - Viridian Residences

Noosa

 
2005

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Regional Commendation - Mainwaring Precinct Mixed Use Resort

Casurina Beach, Northern NSW

 
2004

Royal Australian Institute of Architects State Award

Multi Residential Award - The Sanctuary

Palm Cove, North Queensland

 
2004

Royal Australian Institute of Architects State Award

High Commendation Residential Buildings - Kelly Residence

Casuarina Beach, Northen NSW

 
2004

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Regional Award

House of the Year - Modica Residence

Sunshine Coast

 
2003

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Regional Commendation Award - Great Sandy Information Center Sunshine Coast
2001

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Awards
Regional Commendation - Mountview Residence

Sunshine Coast.


2001

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Best New House Award & Sunshine Coast House of the Year - Dragon House

'Loong Yuen' Sunshine Beach.
2000

Merit Award - Civic Design for Queen Street Mall 2000
1999

Noosa Council Award - Building of the Decade St Vincent's Aged Care Facility

Sunshine Coast.
1998

Noosa Council Excellence in Design Awards
High Commendation - Lewis House

Noosa
1997

Royal Australian Institute of Architects - Regional Commendation
. French Quarter Boutique Resort Hotel
. St. Vincent's Aged Care Nursing Home
. Sunshine Coast University College Library in association with Lawrence Nield & Partners Australia Pty Ltd.
1997

Royal Australian Institute of Architects - Queensland State Awards
Commercial Award - St. Vincent's Aged Care Nursing Home
1997

Royal Australian Institute of Architects - Queensland State Award
FDG Stanley Award for Public Buildings -
Sunshine Coast University College Library in association with Lawrence Nield & Partners Pty. Ltd.
1997

Maroochy Council Award for Institutional Building - Sunshine Coast University College
1997

Royal Australian Institute of Architects - National Awards
Environment Citation and Commercial Commendation
St. Vincent's Aged Care Nursing Home
1997

Sir Zelman Cowen Award, Royal Australian Institute of Architects
National Award - Sunshine Coast University College Library
in association with Lawrence Nield Pty. Ltd.


1997

5 Noosa Council Excellence in Design Awards:-
High Commendation - Public Buildings - St Vincent's Nursing Home, Noosa.
Commendation - Residential Dwelling - Jones Residence.
Commendation - Public Buildings - Public Amenities - Cooroy Botanical Gardens & Moorindil Street, Tewantin.
Special Mention - Tourist/Commercial - French Quarter Resort, Noosa Heads.
Special Mention - Landscaping - Noosa Junction Streetscape & Landscape.
1996

Noosa Shire Award for Excellence - Commendation
Allen Residence, Marcus Beach
1996

Robin Dods Award - Chapman House, Noosaville
Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
1996

Robin Boyd Award - Chapman House - National Awards Royal Australian Institute of Architects House of the Year.
1995

Regional Commendation for Hunchy House
Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
1994

Robin Dods Award, Mainwaring House, Noosa Waters
Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
1994

John Herbert Award for Excellence, National Trust, Conservation
Wallace House.


1993

Robin Dods Award - Powell House, Noosa Heads
Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
1993

Noosa Shire Award for Excellence, Duplex, Sunshine Beach.
1993

Noosa Shire Award for Excellence, Noosa Parks Environment
Centre and Wallace House Restoration.
1992

Regional Award - Caloundra Medical Centre
Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
1992

Noosa Shire Awards for Excellence, Greenough Duplex - Highly Commended.
1992

Commended - Recycled Fisherman's House to Offices.
Noosa Shire Awards for Excellence.
1991

Commended - Offices for Lau and Azalea - Recycling
Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
1991

James Hardie National Award - "The Noosa" house at Peregian.
1990

H.I.A. Bronze Award - Murphy House, Noosa.
1990

Commended - McIlwraith House, Noosa
Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
1990

Commended - Pacific Villas, Sunshine Beach
Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
1990

1990 Noosa Shire Award for Excellence - Pacific Villas "Retention of Landscaping"
1989

Short listed N.Q. House Competition.
  1989

H.I.A. Gold Award for "Top House" McIlwraith House.
1989

Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

Highly Commended - Richardson Home, Noosa
1983

Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

Citation for Banfield 5bungalows at Mission Beach

North Queensland

Committees, Talks & Positions:

2004

October

RAIA Far North Queensland Chapter Cairns Talk: “I’m not a Mexican”

 

August

C & C AA Australia National Lecture Series , Perth.

Concrete applications in architecture: Perspectives on Concrete Home Design.

 

June

Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia National Lecture Series

Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide: The Iconic Concrete Home.

 

2003

November

Source 22 Brisbane Talk JMA  Bayview and other current projects.

 

October

RAIA South Brisbane SONA “My first Project “ Invited combined lecture.

 

August

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Sunshine Coast Chapter Mooloolaba Surf Club - JMA Architects Various Projects

 
2002

Source 22 Brisbane JMA Mainwaring Precinct

Casuarina Beach Talk
2001 RAIA South Brisbane Talk: Computer & architecture

1999 . Queensland Heritage Council Member.
. Chairman RAIA Sunshine Coast Branch.
. Director of RAIA Qld State Awards.
. Director of RAIA NT State Awards
1998 97,'96,'95 Chairman, Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Sunshine Coast
1998 Addressed RAIA Darwin Branch.
RAIA National Conference "Beyond the Barrier Celebrating Change"
Paper by J. Mainwaring -
"From First Principles Towards A Community Synergy For Aged Care".
"The Changing Culture Of Lightness, Timber And Sustainability....Towards The Next Millennium".
. Addressed RAIA "Leaders Conference
1997 - 1998 Deputy Director of RAIA Qld State Awards.
1997 . Architecture Talk in Canberra at National Gallery.
. Chairman, RAIA Sunshine Coast.
. Addressed International Forum - International Energy Agency on Natural Light.
. Chairman, Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Sunshine Coast Branch.
1996 . Heritage Survey of Timber Town Pomona.
. Public lecture in Townsville on the synthesis of the timber tradition into
contemporary architecture.
. Chairman, Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Sunshine Coast Branch.
1995 - 1996 . Councillor, Cooloola Sunshine Institute of T.A.F.E.
. National Trust lecture (Buderim) with Gabriel Poole & Lindsay Clare.
1995 . Vice President, Sunshine Coast Branch, National Trust.
. Chairman, Royal Australian Institute of Architects
Sunshine Coast Branch.
. Councillor, Cooloola Sunshine Institute of T.A.F.E.
. Three day lecture in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland
New Zealand on use of plywood in buildings.
1994 . Speaker at D Bird. Mixed use buildings and mixed use urban development in Queensland.
1994 . N.O.R.S.R.O.C. Transport Task Group Committee.
. Sunshine Coast Consultative Housing Planning Group.
1994 . Vice President, Sunshine Coast branch, National Trust.
1992 . Addressed Town Planning Conference," Hyatt Coolum
1991 . Royal Australian Institute of Architects Awards Jury and
Noosa Awards Jury.
   
 

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