21 Jan 2014
Words Tim Admin

A quick chat with Blackburne Jackson Design

The origins of Blackburne Jackson Design can be traced back to 1932, when Godfrey Blackburne first commenced practice in Brisbane. Since relocating to the Sunshine Coast some 40 years ago, the firm has designed several award-winning structures and has frequently been recognized by The Australian Institute of Architects and by local authorities alike. On a recent trip to the Sunshine Coast, I was fortunate enough to catch up with David Shields and Rohan Jackson, directors and leading architects at Blackburne Jackson Design. Located on Aerodrome Road in Maroochydore, their striking office/studio is a testament to the company’s ethos and capabilities (see photo). Once an Indian Restaurant, the building has been completely refurbished to create an environment that exudes style and creativity (in case you’re wondering, the smell of curry has gone). Although Blackburne Jackson Design provides design solutions to a wide range of sectors, our conversation focused mainly on the firms work within the motel sector. The firm has been involved in a range of interesting and noteworthy projects in recent years, and has the motel sector earmarked for future growth. With a philosophy based on working collaboratively with their clients to produce innovative designs that match brief, budget and context, it’s easy to see why they work so naturally in this sector. Rohan explains that the company’s involvement in motel projects falls into 3 key areas; the refurbishment of existing rooms, adding rooms to existing motel sites and the development new ‘greenfield’ sites. The first 2 areas will be of particular interest to the many motel owners and operators who read this magazine. Indeed, ways of increasing tariffs and improving occupancy are often the main topic of conversation among moteliers. Although room refurbishment is often seen as the bugbear of motel operators, it is often a relatively straightforward means to improving a business. With favorable financing terms, the cost can be absorbed by running costs. At the same time, an improved product has the ability to drive tariffs as well as occupancy. The end result is not only an improvement in the bottom line of a business, but also a means to ensuring its longevity. The addition of extra motel rooms to an existing site is not something that all operators have the option to do. But for those that do, when done correctly, it can often have profound effects on a business. Brokers MD Ian Crooks, suggests that any motel experiencing occupancy in excess of 75% is in a position where it could benefit from the addition of more rooms. The key to both room refurbishment and room development is to know when to do it and how to it. Central to Blackburne Jackson Design’s approach is the collaborative partnership between architect and client. David explains that the first step is to gain an understanding of the client’s requirements, aspirations and limitations. From there, they can assess the property and present the opportunities that are available. The final step, of course, is to marry the client’s needs and aspirations with the options at hand. David cites the firm’s ability and willingness to adapt to the particular requirements of each individual owner and each individual property as a key point of difference. ‘We do not approach a project with a prescriptive way of doing things’, David explains. ‘Our overriding philosophy is to create innovative, sustainable and economical designs that create success for our clients’. This open-minded outlook works in both directions. ‘Clients views can often be clouded by what they’ve seen before. Sometimes we can really open people’s eyes to new ideas’. Blackburne Jackson Design’s work on the Coral Cay Resort in Mackay provides a simple but effective example of this. When they first met with the client, the firm was presented with a plan for 9 additional motel units drawn up by a local draftsman. As the motelier was keen to build as many rooms as possible, they revisited the site plan and took a more global view. As it turned out, through some careful planning and by redesigning the car park, they were able to turn to 9 rooms into 18! I’ll let you do the numbers in regards to the extra income this uncovered. The importance of looking at the wider picture seems is to Blackburne Jackson Design’s interaction with it’s clients. David points out that moteliers are often blinkered by predetermined notions and immediate budget restrictions. ‘Although they have long-term aspirations for their property, they restrict themselves to their immediate budget and what they feel they can afford now’, David says. ‘In reality, it is much more important to have a master plan.’ By staging refurbishment and redevelopment over 2, 3, 4 (or more) stages, clients are able to work with the capital they have available and to maximise the opportunities at hand. An ongoing hotel development in Emerald provides a good example of this. Originally called in to refurbish a number original condition motel rooms, they also made plans to convert some old office on-site space into additional rooms. Due to the fact that Emerald has had a downturn of sorts recently, they have now turned their focus from creating additional rooms to the later stages of the redevelopment (namely a large bottle shop and a night club). As you would expect from the adaptive nature of their work, Blackburne Jackson Design are equally at home with high-end resort style accommodation as they are with regional industry based motels. The luxurious Balgownie Estate in the Yarra Valley is a fine example quality end of their designs. The master-plan approach is as evident here as it is anywhere else. Indeed, this development has had several stages, as has more to come. Soon after the flash cellar door, 32 luxury motel rooms and restaurant opened, the owner discovered that he couldn’t meet demand. A further 36 rooms, conference centre and expanded restaurant were added. The pervading sentiment I got from my time with David and Rohan was their overriding desire to work with people to help them realise their dreams. So often in the design world, you come across professionals looking to impose their ideas, This couldn’t be further from the truth at Blackburne Jackson Design. If you’re looking to explore how you can maximise the potential of your motel, I would highly recommend having a chat with these friendly architects. You never know what might come of it! To have a look at what they can offer, visit www.blackburnejacksondesign.com.au/motels