Our Story
Collard Clarke Jackson Canberra trading as CCJ Architects is a continuation of the long-standing firm Collard Clarke & Jackson. The office of Collard Clarke & Jackson was established by Max Collard in 1947 and in 1955 Max Collard and Guy Clarke formed Collard Clarke. In 1962 Phillip Jackson joined the partnership completing the name.
Some recognisable landmarks were designed and built in Canberra during this early period including the RG Menzies Library at the Australian National University (with John Scarborough) in 1961, Kanganra Court (Bachelor Flats) Ainslie in 1965, Geophysics Building (now Jaeger 6 building at Research School of Earth Sciences) in 1969, and the Defence Russell Offices building 14 (now building A) in 1971.
All these buildings are now heritage listed.
In 1972 Collard Clarke & Jackson completed work on the Canberra City Pedestrian Plaza and not long after this (in the late 70s) a permanent Canberra office was created. At the time this office was led by Robert Beverley and Stephen Doney. The Canberra and Sydney office remained as one firm until 1994 when both separated into discrete entities and Collard Clarke Jackson Canberra was established.
The current directors of CCJ are Andrew Moore, Kevin Miller, Vahan Hekimian and Jennifer Witheford.
CCJ Architects has a philosophy that acknowledges the complexity of buildings and the users that occupy the buildings. We aim to produce work to the highest standards of our profession and ensure that the interpersonal relationships necessary during the process foster a positive atmosphere of cooperation and responsibility. Basically, we aim to service our clients well – beyond expectation.
Meet the Team
Andrew Moore
Director | Registered Architect
Dr Kevin Miller
Director | Registered Architect
Jennifer Witheford
Director | Senior Interior Designer
Vahan Hekimian
Director | Registered Architect
Tony Staltari
Registered Architect
William Yao
Registered Architect
Joanna Gray
Interior Designer
Tom Kitson
Student Architect
Kimmi Kim
Student Architect | Artist
Samuel Adam
Student Architect
Andrew Moore
Director | Registered Architect
Andrew has worked for CCJ for over 30 years, being responsible for the delivery of a diverse range of projects. Andrew has expertise across all aspects of architectural practice with a wealth of experience on a number of educational, commercial, industrial, security and laboratory projects for both the private, government and education sectors. Andrew deftly steers large and complex projects ensuring project goals, timeframes and budgets remain squarely in centre focus. Responsibilities generally include team management, client liaison, quality assurance, master planning, concept design, design development, construction documentation and administration. One of Andrew’s many strengths is his ability to build relationships and trust and to ‘get the best’ out of people. Andrew also steers the IT side of the practice, keeping ahead of changes in technology and allowing CCJ to punch above its size in terms of output.
Dr Kevin Miller
Director | Registered Architect
Kevin leads the company in the incorporation of ESD principles into buildings and has designed and delivered a wide of projects during his 30 years with CCJ. He has been instrumental in CCJ office pursuing ongoing initiatives in sustainable architecture in all areas helping many buildings to achieve both high ratings and awards in this area (including two 6 Star Green Star projects and a Banksia Built Environment award). Kevin also heads the creative side of the office and has an interest in the relationship between art and architecture. He is always interested in new ideas and concepts that can move clients into areas not previously anticipated.
Kevin regularly provides professional development information, talks and articles on both sustainable architecture and education design. He has undertaken doctoral research translating his knowledge into site-specific place-making and the integration of architecture and art. He is currently on the Australian Institute of Architects ACT Chapter council and is a board member for the Canberra Art Biennale.
Jennifer Witheford
Director | Senior Interior Designer
Jennifer has worked for CCJ for nearly 15 years on a diverse range of education, commercial, hospitality, healthcare and community & heritage projects. She has a wide range of experience with interior fitouts in both new builds and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, working closely with the CCJ architectural team to produce integrated fitouts. Jennifer is passionate about bringing sustainable design principles to all projects in a creative way. She has been a design educator at UTS and CIT and enjoys mentoring younger designers in our office. Jennifer has built up an extensive experience in material reuse, selection and indoor environment quality as well as practical experience with rating tools whilst working on CCJ’s 6 Star rated projects and award-winning heritage projects. One of Jennifer’s strengths lies in investigating complex briefing requirements and translating these into creative strategies and concepts.
Vahan Hekimian
Director | Registered Architect
With over 30 years of experience and more than 15 years with CCJ, Vahan has expertise in all aspects of architectural practice over a broad range of building types including health, educational and community, commercial and retail developments, heritage building refurbishment and adaptive reuse. Vahan leads the technical side of CCJ with experience in complex refurbishments of existing buildings. Vahan is our key site contact on major projects ensuring the design intent is translated into the built outcome in a harmonious and productive way. Vahan provides a practical overview to the value of restoration and the improvement of existing infrastructure. This attention to detail has lead to CCJ receiving a number of architectural awards in education, heritage and adaptive reuse.
Tony Staltari
Registered Architect
Since joining CCJ in 2015 Tony has been involved in a wide variety of projects, which he has seen through from concept design, design development to construction documentation. He has experience on several educational, health, security, residential, and laboratory projects for long term CCJ clients including Australian Federal Police, Defence, Australian National University, University of Canberra, ACT Health, Trinity Christian School. Tony enjoys the challenge of working on complex projects and working out innovative ways of bringing these to fruition.
William Yao
Registered Architect
Since joining CCJ in 2019 William has established himself as a conceptual and detail thinker within the office. He has experience in design, design development and detailed documentation on several educational, health, commercial projects. He has a deep interest in architectural design and philosophy but is also interested in the process of project delivery and project management.
Joanna Gray
Interior Designer
Joanna is a recent graduate of interior design and has already shown a depth of knowledge and understanding in relation to several new projects at CCJ. Working closely with the team in the early design stages she has shown great understanding of space, design, materials and finishes that provides a coherent link between inside and out within the range of a clients’ requirements and needs.
Tom Kitson
Student Architect
As a new starter at CCJ Tom’s flexibility over various projects in various stages of production, from concept imagery through to detailed wall sections for construction, has been invaluable. A creative and intelligent addition to the office and – as with most new staff – a breath of fresh air that invigorates the whole team.
Kimmi Kim
Student Architect | Artist
Kimi has an obvious attraction to all things graphic within all the various projects worked on within the CCJ office. This may be due to a previous (and current) artistic life. Kimi brings an artistic flare to the office and a keenness to try any project and any task available.
Samuel Adam
Student Architect
As a new starter at CCJ Sam has worked over various projects in various stages of production, from concept imagery through to detailed design for construction. A creative addition to the office with a leaning towards interior architecture and considered material selection.
Our Process
CCJ has developed a philosophy that acknowledges the complexity of the environment, buildings and the users that occupy the buildings. We have to put ourselves into the shoes of a particular user and understand the functions and limitations of their specialist position. Then the task is to translate this into a built physical form.
We have put together three words that try to represent the goals of translation which is subject to continual change and redefinition. We are trying to show or discuss how a holistic approach to environmental (eco) and architectural design crosses several fields other than design and that it is a complex process. Recently we have adapted our own branding to be reflective of these goals and objectives.
Climate
Climate in relation to design can be as simple as providing basic human needs and shelter in order to facilitate comfort. This is a health requirement within any building where all occupants have access to natural light, fresh air, views, and adequate space. This can be extended to base requirements to provide a healthy relaxed but also beneficial environment for all aspects of life.
Climate is not just about ESD inclusions for reducing energy use, water use, and the like, but a core requirement for the conditions related to a healthy environment and our biophilic relationship with the natural world. It is also a signifier of location and the requirement to suit the particular climate within the place you are designing. The base design should maximise passive modes of internal comfort conditions in relation to climate before looking into active systems.
Context
It is important to relate to the context, not just built form, but also through relationships. This is the establishment of the foundations upon which the design can evolve. Context or environment is the broad definition of influences on the built form and the occupants within. In using this word we are talking about the environmental factors that make up our attachment to place (topophilia) and the social and psychological aspects that influence our quality of life.
This broadens the discussion from human centred to environment centred – meaning we are part of a complex system and not the top of a complex system. Each building must be deeply rooted in its environment. CCJ’s philosophy is not to transport building designs but to carefully craft an individual project that is specifically related to its context and community and cannot be relocated.
Complexity
The incorporation of all the elements of function, context, relationships, environmental conditions, and the like, is a complex process. Environmental (eco) design is not a complex arrangement of eco devices, it is a complex process of achieving environmental harmony. The shape, content and function of our designed projects should be directed towards the goal of a well organised and healthy built environment for all occupants whilst maintaining a simple (yet also complex) goal of integration and enhancement of the natural environment.
Acknowledgement of complexity considers all issues, incorporating a diverse set of perspectives, being respectful of culture, and values space as an environment for all people to learn, work, and live. It is the process of building a community.
