Connection to place through community involvement
JOHN W SPARKS ASTC (Arch) Dip CD, MPIA, ARAIA, FAPI
Managing Director of John Sparks and Associates (now JSA Architects Pty Ltd) from 1975
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Diploma of Architecture University of NSW
- Chartered Architect NSW o Post-Graduate Diploma of Civic Design
- Certified Practicing Planner NSW AFFILIATIONS
- Associate of the Royal Australian lnstitute of Architects
- Corporate Member of the Planning lnstitute of Australia
- Fellow of the Australian Property lnstitute
- Former member of the lnternational Federation for Housing and Planning, the Hague, Netherlands
- Member of the Retirement Village Association of NSW
- Representative on former Ku-ring-gai Education Group, assisting the NSW Premier on Educational issues
John is an Architect and Town Planner, with 35 years experience in architectural design, documentation and administration, urban planning, master planning, land use assessment and the design of new and expanded towns. He established his own private pract¡ce with responsibility for retail, commercial, industrial, houses, medium density residential, child care centres, clubs, ski lodges, rural subdivisions, motels, taverns, retirement villages, health care, recreational, resort, interior commercial fit-outs, civic and urban planning for government, corporate and private clients, sustainable eco-village master planning and resort projects.
Additionally, John
- Was a part-time Lecturer and Tutor, School of Town Planning, University of NSW lrom 1969-1977. .
- Australían delegate to the 30th World Congress of the lnternational Federation for Housing and Planning at Barcelona in 1970 and the Congress at Adelaide in 1986.
- Guest Lecturer at UTS Post Graduate Urban Estates Management course and tutorials in 1998-99.
- Founding member of the Retirement Village Association, he has published features on design for retirement villages, presented seminars on planning for disabled access and the Master planning of Retirement Villages for the RAIA and Australian Property lnstitute.
- Currently represents the API on the preparation of Standards for accessible purpose made buildings for Standards Australia.
He has initiated and contributed to Mobility maps, Development Control Plans on Access and Mobility and Adaptable Housing, access awards and other issues through current involvement in the Willoughby Council Access Committee and the Northern Region Access Forum, as well as contributing to State Environmental policy and planning reviews.
CONTACT DETAILS
John Sparks PO Box 321 Bangalow NSW 2479
Phone: 0417 088 806
Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ln recent times, the relentless pressure of commercialism and "progress" has pushed the small town of Byron Bay beyond its capacity to absorb the ideals of many interest groups and activities, and many locals feel a threat to the unique alternative lifestyle we enjoy - which was an important reason that people come to live here in the first place.
This website presents a study by a local architect which assesses the potential of a vision for Byron Bay Town Centre to encompass its natural surrounds and enhance the open environment to be an integral part of the town. This alternative "unofficial" town plan makes no apology for being "visionary" and includes the potential to be self-sufficient by generating energy, recycling water, reusing waste and producing food in a sustainable "zero carbon" town.
These concepts are used as the basis of this "alternative" Master Plan, which completes the connections between the open natural environment and the circulation, traffic, functioning and enjoyment of the town as a whole. Ultimately it is aimed at people who live in and enjoy Byron Bay for the unique place it has become, to enhance the lifestyle values it embodies, and to ensure the fascinating and attractive qualities that have made Byron Bay known and loved across the world are retained and not lost to unwise development that is focussed on commercial considerations alone. We hope this plan for Byron Bay 's future is a catalyst for a wider community discussion, vibrant even impassioned debate and ultimately intelligent exchange between all stakeholders - representatives, Council staff, business people and local residents. Our vision now takes in the controversial West Byron Devleopment and the quaint heritage village of Bangalow.
|
Byron Bay Masterplan PDF. |
Bangalow Masterplan PDF. |
