We take pride in delivering more than expected.

With over 30 years experience in the allied fields of architecture, interior design, urban design and project management we are dedicated to delivering the best project outcomes for our clients.

Our work spans public, education and medical research facilities, hospitality venues, creative workspaces, and diverse residential projects - ranging from bespoke single dwellings to affordable housing. Driven by a mission to positively shape our cities, we blend practicality with experimentation, drawing on the social history and intelligence of existing structures to innovate for contemporary outcomes.

Our practice has earned numerous State and National Awards. Notably, Jon Jacka Architects received the 2023 AIA NSW Chapter Award for Public Architecture for the St George Sailing Club. Our residential work includes the acclaimed Laneway House, which won the 2018 National Eleanor Cullis Hill Award and the NSW Hugh and Eva Buhrich Award. Additionally, Jon was project architect on the Westmead Millennium Institute, recipient of the prestigious 2015 Sulman Medal when working with BVN Architects.

Beyond practice, we are committed to research and education. Our work on housing affordability has been published by the Australian Institute of Architects, and Jon has guided the next generation of architects as a studio leader at the University of Sydney, UNSW and UTS (from 2013–2019). Our work with students has been exhibited locally and internationally, including our collaboration with UNSW and the NSW Government Architects Office at an associated exhibition of the 2018 Venice Biennale.

  • St George Sailing Club, Sans Souci

    2023 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards - Public Architecture Award

    2023 NSW Master Builder Awards - Best Hospitality Building (New)

    Laneway House, Newtown

    2018 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards - Hugh & Eva Buhrich Award

    2018 Australian Institute of Architects National Awards - Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award

    Westmead Millenium Institute

    2015 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards - The Sulman Medal with BVN Architecture

    Parallel House, Newtown

    2012 NSW Houses Awards - High Commendation

    2012 Marrickville Medal - High Commendation

    2011 Australian Institute of Architects NSW - Single Houses Commendation

    St Margaret’s, Surry Hills

    2005 Urban Taskforce Awards - Design Excellence with PTW & SJB

    30 The Bond, Millers Point

    2005 Australian Institute of Architects NSW - Commercial Architecture Award with PTW

    2005 Australian Institute of Architects NSW - Sustainability Award with PTW

    Sydney Theatre, Walsh Bay

    2004 Australian Institute of Architects NSW - Public Buildings Merit Award with PTW

  • Jon Jacka Architects Pty Ltd

    2003 ‐ present

    Selected Projects

    Sydney Flying Squadron & Pattons Slipways Concept Masterplan. A proposal for the revitalisation of Careening Cove in Kirribilli on Sydney Harbour. (In progress - Concept Masterplan Feb 2026)

    Laneway House Kids. A tiny project within the existing building footprint replacing existing walls with sliding doors to make the existing 2 bedrooms and hallway into a living room for the kids. (On site for 2026 completion)

    Manly Apartment. The remodel of an apartment in a classic modernist building. (On site for 2026 completion)

    Wollongong Surf & Sail. A new combined facility for the headquarters for Surf Life Saving Illawarra and Wollongong Yacht Club set between the lighthouses on Wollongong Harbour. (On hold, finance pending)

    A Bigger Verandah, Newtown. An addition to a house, protecting an existing tree and establishing a new native garden right next door to our previous Laneway House. (DA submitted July 2026)

    Malabar Reset. A strategic, staged approach to the alterations and additions of a mid-century classic with ocean views. (Waiting for builders’ tenders for the first stage)

    Co-Living Housing, Cessnock. A new 4 storey, 24 unit development with generous shared spaces in Cessnock Town Centre. (In progress - Pre-DA 2025, DA lodgement pending)

    Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club. The redevelopment of the existing clubhouse and boatsheds to set the Club up for the next 50 years. (In progress - DA lodgement for late 2026)

    Middle Harbour 16ft Skiff Sailing Club. The extension of the harbourside decks and a long term vision. (DA approved 2025)

    3 Group Homes, Long Jetty. Development comprising 27 room assisted living homes prioritizing communal spaces. (In progress, DA approved 2025)

    Koinobori Multi-Gen House, Malabar. A house that can be divided into 4 separate apartments for longevity and community. (DA approved 2023)

    St George Sailing Club, San Souci. A new sailing club on the shores of the Georges River. Project Manager, Project Architect, Lead Consultant, Superintendent, Fitout & Furniture Design, Landscape Design, Signage. (Completed 2023)

    Valley House, Bronte. A project that is as much landscape as building, housing a family of 4 and 2 grandmothers. (Discontinued 2024)

    Arc Edit. Film & television post-production studios in Alexandria. (Completed 2022). Links - Arc Edit, Official Website

    A Bigger Painting, Maroubra. An addition to a semi-detached dwelling that provides an artwork to the surrounding multi-residential apartments. (On site for 2026 completion)

    Triangle House, Newtown. Subdivision and new adaptable, multi‐use building. (Construction package 2022)

    Ultimo Terrace. Using the rear of a terrace to promote the development of a new active street frontage for work and living. (Unbuilt 2015)

    Tiny Tower, Maroubra. A new typology for additions to existing houses promoting multiple households on single lots and conversations between neighbours. (Unbuilt 2015)

    Laneway House, Newtown. A terrace house addition that re‐imagines the rear laneway for social interaction. (Completed 2014)

    Frame House, Glebe. An adaptable building model accommodating a single dwelling or up to three apartments, with the option of a shopfront. (Completed 2012)

    Parallel House, Newtown. Subdivision and adaptable, multi‐use building. (Completed 2011). Links - Habitus Living, Parallax Universe (10 July 2013), Habitus Living, Graphic Graffiti (6 August 2012)

    In-Kind Developments

    2023 ‐ present

    Selected Projects

    Infill on an inner city block, Newtown. A proposal to a strata body to increase housing in a well-serviced area.

    Social Project Agency (SPA)

    2023 ‐ present

    Selected Projects

    King Street, Newtown. An urban design proposal aiming to change planning policy toward a better future for one of the liveliest streets in Sydney.

    BVN Architecture

    2008 ‐ 2012

    Selected Projects

    Westmead Millennium Institute. $110M. Project Architect.

    Campbelltown Hospital Masterplan. $180M. Project Architect.

    Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Alexandria. $60M. Project Architect (laboratory design and coordination).

    Noosa Sheraton Redevelopment. Mixed use – hotel, retail and multi‐residential development. $80M. Project Architect.

    Durbach Block Architects

    2003

    Selected Projects

    Town Hall House, Sydney. Renovation and upgrade. $20M. Construction Documentation.

    Multi‐unit residential competition. Fremantle, Perth. Design Team.

    Urban design competition for the Manly Corso. Design Team.

    PTW Architects

    2000 ‐ 2003

    Selected Projects

    St Margarets at Surry Hills. Multi‐unit residential, retail and adaptive re‐use. Development application.

    30 The Bond, Millers Point. Commercial office building. Detailed Design & Documentation.

    Hengqin Island Resort Business District Masterplan, Zhuhai, China. Project Coordination.

    Sydney Theatre, Walsh Bay. Design Architect (front of house).

    Theatre Royal Hobart Strategic Plan. Feasibility Report. Project Architect

    Jane Davie Architect

    1998 – 1999

    Selected Projects

    Various housing projects for private clients.

    Brian McDonald & Associates

    1997

    Selected Projects

    Newington Armaments Depot, Sydney Olympic Village. Heritage Documentation.

    Various social housing projects for NSW Department of Housing.

    John Cockings & Associates

    1996 – 1997

    Selected Projects

    Various housing projects for private clients.

    Roderick Simpson, Architect

    1995

    Selected Projects

    Numerous projects including regional land sub‐division for a residential development on the Hawkesbury River and a mixed use residential and commercial project in Newtown. Other work included research into sustainable construction methods.

    Colin James, Architect

    1993 – 1994

    Selected Projects

    Design and support for numerous projects in Redfern & Waterloo including affordable housing, an indigenous community centre and additions to the South Sydney Youth Services, Waterloo Oval.

  • Venice Architecture Biennale 2018, Associated exhibition

    7 Projects with UNSW and Government Architect NSW.

    Lisbon Architecture Triennale 2013, Associated Project

    Cidade Da Roupa Branca with Olivia Hyde, Tom Cole and Pedro Telleria‐Texera.

  • Architecture Bulletin Winter 2017

    Affordability - A Field Study (Guest Editor)

  • Baugruppen Sydney

    2016 Independent research.

    Testing a Bank Australia finance product for a mixed‐use project in an inner ring suburb of Sydney.

  • Monash University - Sydney Studio

    2021 Studio Leader - Affordable Infill in Newtown

    UNSW Sydney Urban Lab

    2019 Studio Leader - Building Communities with Flores Prats Architects

    UNSW Masters of Architecture

    2017 - 2019 Studio Coordinator, Housing Stream

    University of Sydney Masters of Architecture

    2016 Studio Coordinator, Urban Stream