INDIGENOUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Our working space is located within the Country of the Gadigal and Wangal peoples of the Eora Nation land. We design projects throughout Australia, on the land of many different traditional custodians.
In all our work and relationships, we seek to respect and learn from Indigenous Australians. We acknowledge their continuing connection to culture, land and water. We are grateful for those who enrich our understanding of the unique indigenous cultures of our home, Australia. We seek to listen.
The core focus of the team is translating the client brief into enduring architecture.
We lead a collaborative design process, strategically ordering competing factors to arrive at a creative, practical solution with financial and environmental value thoroughly considered.
Our ambition is for this place to thrive, not simply sustain.
SOME OF OUR CLIENTS
MARTIN URAKAWA
NSW Registered Architect #6776
Martin has 20 years experience in the practice of architecture and design. Over that time he has worked in Japan and Australia developing his competency in the design and construction of buildings. He has worked in various roles including as project architect, designer, and onsite clerk. Through this diversity, Martin has expertise in the technical and construction requirements of procuring a building, as well as the creative and problem solving abilities. The buildings have included those in an urban setting such as business parks, pharmaceutical and office buildings, an auditorium and theatre, and temporary exhibition structures. The residential experience has included apartment buildings, inner city and regional homes. Since starting URAKAWA JENKINS ARCHITECTURE in 2008 he has found innovative and creative solutions to many complex projects. Martin is a creative thinker and enquiring problem solver.
ZOE JENKINS
NSW Registered Architect #7580
Zoe’s background in architecture includes seniors living, industrial warehousing, commercial offices, hospitality, retail, apartments and exclusive bespoke residences. Over 20 years she has progressed through many roles at several foremost Australian architecture offices, leading multi disciplinary teams of designers and engineers for both public and corporate clients. She enjoys working across a range of projects from industrial temperature controlled storage facilities to small unique buildings. Zoe’s skill is to navigate through complex multi stakeholder environments to arrive at elegant practical solutions, using a design focused strategic approach. Zoe engages widely with the profession and local government particularly in relation to sustainability and the environment. She advocates for design as a way to enhance the future.
TESTIMONIALS
"I use the park regularly to walk my dog almost every evening.(...) I have been meaning to email you sometime ago to express my gratitude to you and the builder (...) on this amazing renovation. Although this was well overdue, it was worth the wait. The new design of the toilet with the opening in front is quite clever as it diminishes those antisocial behaviours (and I have seen some throughout the 15 years I have lived in this area). A big thank you to the council for this transformation. "
A Local Resident, Leichhardt
"The Live Green House, a unique and innovative project, was commissioned by the City of Sydney. The transportable pavilion enabled the community to engage and interact with the building and speak with experts on a range of sustainability topics. UJA was instrumental in helping design and deliver this project working with multiple stakeholders within a fixed timeframe. Most importantly, UJA understood the importance of education and sustainability and worked closely with the project team to deliver the brief. The project exceeded expectations and set a new benchmark in how communities can engage with the built environment. "
Vanessa, Program Manager
“We had an idea and a sustainability objective, Urakawa Jenkins Architects created a dream come true. It was great to work with experienced and enthusiastic designers, capable of incorporating multiple innovative design elements into a place we are proud to call home.”
Sarah, Rainy Mountain Residence, Kuranda
House Hatching
“Martin solved our space and time problems in ways we could not imagine. Now we have a great space with hatches opening out from the kid’s bunk bed, a curved wall bringing life to the bathroom and wooden details connecting spaces with each other. We love the way he was able to evolve the design, working with the builders refining details along the way.”
David and Natalie, House Hatching, Alexandria
House America
“I am a resident of NY and Martin was the architect and project manager for my house renovation in Balmain, NSW. He did the impossible. He came up with plans to build up one level that addressed every single issue our neighbors threw at us. The plans addressed all environmental issues, my needs for expansion and light, and didn’t cast any shadows on neighbours’ properties. The plans were approved by Leichhardt Council. Martin always did his research and fully understood the urban planning environment. He was a great problem solver. He went above and beyond the call of duty in both getting the DA over the finishing line, as well as project managing phase one of the project. Martin was flexible, always available to talk things through on Skype, always had our best interests in mind, and overall a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Martin for any residential project.”
Karolina, House America, Balmain