Director
James
Wilson
Director
Practice Executive, Directors
James Wilson is a Director of Lyons and a practice leader in design and briefing for civic, cultural, and educational projects. Highly experienced in the development and delivery of complex, multimillion dollar public precincts, his expertise lies in bringing together the collaborative nature of learning and research environments. James’ extensive experience over the last 20 years has seen him become a national leader in innovative learning, cultural and library spaces. He is highly recognised for his formative design work in the ‘vertical campus’ model.
An innovative and future-focused architect, James engages and listens to clients and users, utilising ‘co-design’ methodologies to create new architectural ideas within a humanist framework. By hybridising concepts in technology, social, learning, retail, and workplace settings, he forges new urban and internal settings. He is at the forefront of pedagogical design, conceiving engaging ways to deliver and teach content interactively, provide high-end research and simulation environments all while stitching these together with the social ‘glue’ of diverse informal and collaborative settings.
Integral to James’ design discourse is the integration of cultural strategies that connect communities and local histories to provide meaningful urban places. He also brings leading environmental design knowledge to Lyons’ major projects, expanding strategies beyond rating systems to incorporate social wellbeing, cultural and carbon based platforms. recognised leader within the studio, James also shares his knowledge and experiences with the broader architecture community, lecturing at the University of Melbourne and RMIT University, and in his time hosting design talks unpacking Lyons’ award-winning projects.
Bachelor of Planning & Construction (First Class Honours) – University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours & Faculty Dux) – University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Planning & Design – University of Melbourne
AIA
ARBV
ARB
APBSA
Committee for Melbourne
Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)
“The creation of something new that resolves a client’s brief in a future-thinking paradigm is what drives my design process. Nothing is more satisfying to me than a happy client, an engaged user and a design that solves complex issues with a new ‘clarity’ of thought and a highly creative output.”
Design philosophy
“Collaboration is key; Architecture is a complex beast that requires many minds working together to finish with a great result. There is no single creative mind, and as soon as you stop listening to new ideas or solutions, you dilute the end-outcome”
Working with you
“There is an energy with public projects that comes from the diversity of people – both in and out of the project team – that all have a stake in the outcome. Bringing together these various ideas and perspectives to a positively creative solution is why I love architecture.”
On architecture.
