CORPORATE PROFILE- SJK ARCHITECTS

SJK Architects is acknowledged worldwide for excellence in architectural design. Since 1982, its founder, Stephen Kitching has specialised in leisure and resort architecture. His designs have taken his team to some of the most exotic locations in the world and their achievements have brought praise from both Hotel Operators and International Developers.

Stephen Kitching comes from Sydney 's Rocks area and began his career working part-time in an architectural firm while completing his tertiary studies. Early in his career he was appointed as Development Architect for the construction of a new city in the centre of Australia . The project was the $250 million Yulara Tourist Resort at Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory . As the Development Architect, Steve's role was to liaise between the Sydney office of architect Phillip Cox and the developer, White Industries, whose office is located in Alice Springs . At the time, the Yulara Resort was the largest leisure project in Australia and today it has grown into the third largest city in the Northern Territory . The resort has established a reputation as one of the great tourist attractions in the world, not unlike the Grand Canyon in America .

After Yulara, Steve was engaged as Project Architect in 1985 to complete the $60 million development of the Darwin Performing Arts Centre and 250 room Beaufort Hotel project. The Yulara Resort and the Performing Arts Centre projects provided Steve with the opportunity to specialise early in his career. He wrote a thesis on Hotel and Resort Design, obtained his second Architectural degree from NSW University , and left for America to gain international experience.

He remembers his time in America as a formative period in his development as an architect of international stature. He acknowledged that many American architectural firms were leaders in the design and master planning of leisure developments, however he believed a number of projects lacked originality and substance.

Steve continued travelling further east to England where he felt a natural empathy with the European culture and its appreciation of good design. He soon developed a working relationship with the London based firm, SKP Architects, who had been appointed to design a 660-room hotel in Istanbul , Turkey for the Conrad Group. Steve's role in the US $85 million development was as Principal Architect, preparing the Conceptual Design for the Aksoy family, a well respected Instanbul family with interest in shipping, hotels and property.

In 1989, Steve designed a Resort and Ceremonial Hall for the Sultan of Brunei. The Sultan had recently purchased the Dorchester Hotel in London and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in California and had expressed a desire to develop a major resort in the South Pacific, as well as a Ceremonial Hall for Royal occasions. At the time, the development was the most exclusive resort in the world, funded by the richest family in the world. Steve was appointed as Concept Architect of the project consulting to the London based architectural company, Scott Brownrigg and Turner.

As fortune would have it, Steve returned to Australia for a holiday during the monsoon season in Brunei . While in Australia , he was invited to lead a design competition for the $1 billion redevelopment of the World Expo site in Brisbane . He won the design competition and the project has since been awarded numerous civic and architectural awards.

The early nineties found Steve spending much of his time in Asia . In 1994, he opened an office in Thailand and another, in 1995, in India . SJK secured great success throughout Asia and attributes it's achievements and business expansion to the professional relationships they forged, in particular with the Central Group, the largest Retail and Hotel group in Thailand; Country Thailand, the developer of the $500m Country Marina Resort; The Landmark Construction Group in New Delhi and the Lupin Group in Bombay. The Lupin Group is a major pharmaceutical company that established a development division to invest profits in leisure and retail developments.

In 1998 Steve was invited by Leighton Contractors, Philippines , to prepare a Conceptual Design for the Rockwell Retail and Hotel Complex in Manila . The 65,000m 2 Retail shopping centre has been completed and the Hotel project has been documented, ready for construction.

Steve's latest venture is a luxurious US$10 million dollar Country Club in Bombay to be operated by the prestigious Club Corporation of Asia . Here his design will reflect an understated and elegant club located amongst three avenues of gulmohar and banyan trees. This low rise, open plan development with alfresco dining will incorporate the characteristics of the old Raj Country Clubs adapted to a contemporary style.

Steve has recently completed the Master Plan for Stage 2 of the development which will include a 35,000m 2 Shopping Centre and 18,000m 2 Commercial Office.

The future for SJK Architects is in quality projects, large and small. The company's expertise is all encompassing from Architectural Design Concept and Design Development to Interior Design. Known for their honesty, integrity and talent, SJK will stay with the project through to its completion, ensuring that the design integrity is maintained.

In Sydney , Steve works closely with his brother Mark, a well-respected builder who has constructed some of the city's most exclusive restaurants, including the Bennelong Restaurant in the Sydney Opera House, and luxury harbour front residences.

Passionate about design, Steve reveals his point of difference. “My travels allow me to develop a rapport with Clients, many of whom travel extensively. I believe they trust and respect my ideas, concepts and knowledge of what works and what doesn't”.

Steve brings sixteen years of international experience on some of the most exclusive and interesting project of our time to every new development.