We’ve always been very conscious about how our buildings relate to their site, their location, the people who will use them and the community and function they represent. It’s important that we can share a story about the building, and that it has strong roots to its place.

John Hay

John Hay RAIA

Position

Senior Associate

Office

Brisbane

Qualifications

Bachelor of Architecture (QUT 1988)
Associate Diploma for Built Environment Technician (QUT 1981)

Registrations

Registered Architect, Qld
Chartered Architect, NSW

Specialisations

Education
Health
Cultural
Sporting & recreational
Community

Affiliations

Member of the Australian Institute of Architects (since 1985)
Wesley Mission Brisbane Council (2000 – 07)
Uniting Church Property Board Architects Advisory Panel (2002 – 05)
WMB Property Advisory Council (2003 – 07)
Member of the Brisbane Cricket Ground (since 2000)
Commercial Hockey Club Inc.
—Management Executive (Treasurer since 2006)
—Men’s Players’ Committee (Secretary since 2005)

Work history

2006 – present    Senior Associate, Fulton Trotter Architects
1999 – 2006    Associate, Fulton Trotter & Partners
1994 – 1999    Fulton Gilmour Trotter Moss
1979 – 1994    Student, in small practices; Architect, in one really big practice (5 years)
 

Home

Home is an inner city northern dwelling, originally built in 1916, and renovated in 1994.

Significant others

Married my teenager partner, Jayne. We managed to produce twins, Angus and Katelyn. We live harmoniously with Sera (fierce basset hound), Tom (cockatiel) and Oscar (Siamese fighting fish).

Definition of architecture

Creating an ordered solution from what can appear to be a disordered problem—one that is within a budget, and excites the final users enough to want to occupy and never leave.

Why I do what I do

To travel the journey with our clients and users, experiencing the pleasures and difficulties of producing good architecture that goes beyond their expectations.

When I decided to be an architect …

After completing a year in the architectural technicians course at QIT in 1979, I was required to study part time and work in an architectural firm. I thought I might try something a little more challenging.

If I wasn’t an architect, I’d be …

A sports administrator or perhaps a sporting fanatic supporting the Australian cricket, hockey or some other sporting team.

What else I do …

Hockey (playing and administration)
Watching cricket and most other sports
Collecting architecture books
Collecting ABC Cricket Books
Camping with the family at the beach—reconnects me with people close to me and reminds me how to build a structure exposed to all the elements.

I did that!?

Mum and Dad’s Residence, Balmoral
Quilpie Opal Museum & Visitor Centre
Chinchilla Cultural Centre (AWA)
Miles & Dalby Hospital Redevelopments
Winning a hockey premiership (2003)—the same year Angus and Katelyn also won a premiership in their respective teams.

I wish I’d designed …

Woodgate Beach Amenities and Picnic Shelters. A very simple and elegant building designed by FTA’s Paul Sekava.

My gangs

Windsor Hay Clan
Team Black
Commercial Hockey Club Inc.
Valley District Cricket Club
Coolum Campers

My heroes

Architects: F L Wright, Glenn Murcutt and Lindsay Clare
Cricket: Sir Donald Bradman and Steve Waugh
Rugby League: Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer

AKA

Mr Hay
Black Lord
Dr Phil
The Bore
The Last Cab off the Rank

Signature quote

“Since most of us spend our lives doing ordinary tasks, the most important thing is to carry them out extraordinarily well.” (One of Glenn Murcutt’s favourite quotations is a phrase he often heard his father say. The words, he believes, are from Thoreau.)