Mark Baxter in Sydney and David Jacobson in Byron Bay have been Directors of Baxter Jacobson Architects for over 30 years.
We are inspired by the potential inherent to Place and the capacity of Architecture to create meaning, a sense of belonging and wellbeing.
Our capable team work collaboratively on a diverse range of architectural project types for private individuals, companies, government and schools across Australia and overseas.
Our architectural design approach is founded on empathy with our clients, seeking to identify their unique needs and finding creative, innovative & cost-effective solutions at each stage of provision.
We have a deep appreciation of sustainable architectural design to reduce environmental impact and support living eco-systems. We believe that the language of form, colour and materiality affects and nurtures our inner life.
Our valuable experience in local government and community activism has taught tenacity & solution-based thinking whilst our hands-on visual arts practice lends balance and beauty.
Our energetic team can expand to bring diversity – age, culture, gender & architectural language and skills.
Our process is to work through creative sketch design ideas at our round table then develop these via 3D computer modelling to test concepts and resolve spatial form, complex geometries and details. The models visually communicate the potential building to our clients and invite discussion and evolution.
MARK BAXTER
Registered Architect | Director | Baxter & Jacobson Architects | NSW, Sydney, Northern Beaches, Manly
(B. Architecture hons. Syd Uni) Mark is an accomplished architect of 35 years experience in a diverse range of building types. As a partner of BJA he is experienced in seeing an architectural design project through all stages from design to construction. He understands the value of community consultation through being an active participant in community groups and council sub-committees in his local community. His passion is to identify opportunities to value add to a project by softening the boundaries between the utilitarian and artistic, between building and landscape. He gives workshops and lectures in sculpture and organic architecture and maintains an interest in contemporary architectural design developments.
DAVID JACOBSON
Registered Architect | Director | Baxter & Jacobson Architects | NSW, Byron Bay
(B. Architecture hons. Syd Uni) David brings over 30 years of experience of delivering architectural and planning projects to fruition. David is a founding partner of BJA and has been responsible for designing a wide range of building types including schools, residential, community buildings and multi unit projects. Building some of his designs and teaching design at Sydney University has given David an appreciation and understanding of the conceptual framework of architectural design as well as the practicality required by the construction industry. Interest in the architectural and urban design issues in the Manly Municipality led to David serving as a Councillor on Manly Council when the town centre and beachfront development and planning controls were at a critical stage. During this time and in the years afterwards, he chaired and served on the Landscape Management Committee and the Town Centre Working Party, which over the years has seen the revitalisation of the Town Centre and beachfront.
LEITH SCHMIDT
Registered Architect | Associate | Baxter & Jacobson Architects | NSW, Sydney, Northern Beaches, Manly
Leith has 30 years experience in Architectural practice – with 19 years as Principal of her own Practice. Leith specialises in site specific, residential projects with experience with strategic planning, museum design and local government projects. She first worked with Mark and David on Steiner School projects and community buildings in 1994. Leith returned to BJA in 2017 to contribute her experience of practice management, project administration and design.
Leith prioritises listening to the Client and ‘doing the homework’, developing productive relationships which respect all stakeholders and result in delightful built spaces and satisfied clients.
TOMAS TOGNELLA
Baxter & Jacobson Architects | NSW, Sydney Northern Beaches, Manly
Tomas has a Bachelor of Architecture (Buenos Aires). His experience on a broad range of projects includes hospitality, residential and urban design. Tomas enjoys working collaboratively with our team providing creative and logical solutions. His technical skills and engagement across all aspects of design detailing & documentation are highly valued as is his positive attitude and sense of humour.
Australia
The World
Baxter & Jacobson Architects are a Sydney and Byron Bay based practice with extensive experience in architecture, interior design, urban design, master planning and feasibility studies. The BJA team have completed projects throughout Australia and internationally.
Since establishing the practice in 1987, the two partners have developed a capacity to deliver innovative and iconic designs across a diverse spectrum of building types. Their portfolio includes large infrastructure projects, aircraft hangers, community buildings, school master planning and building design, multi unit housing, commercial offices and retail premises. A collaborative approach with clients and consultants ensures creative design solutions successfully integrate functional, environmental and budget restraints.
The diversity of climatic conditions across Australia and the Middle East has required project specific solutions to environmentally sustainable design. At the same time they believe the quality of the internal workplace design can enhance worker satisfaction and efficiency.
Their projects have been published in books concerning organic architecture and have received various awards. They bring valuable experience in local government and community activism as well as hands involvement in the visual arts.
