Allen Jack+Cottier

Allen Jack+Cottier (AJ+C) is an award winning architectural practice. Principals Michael Heenan and Peter Ireland head up the Sydney architectural practice of over 80 staff, in their Chippendale studio.

AJ+C combines 60 years of experience with the ability to see things in new and dynamic ways, and delivers award-winning urban, interior, heritage and graphic designs.

John Allen began the firm in 1952 and in 1956 formed a partnership with, university friend Russell Jack. The firm, initially called John Allen and Russell C Jack was renamed Allen Jack+Cottier in 1964 when Keith Cottier became a partner.

Partners

John Allen’s father encouraged him to become a solicitor and he was accepted into University of Sydney’s Law School in 1945. A year later Allen’s interest in art and design prompted him to instead enrol in Architecture at Sydney Technical College. To gain practical experience during his six-year course Allen worked for Fowell & Mansfield until late 1948 and then for Rudder, Littlemore & Rudder. An economic downturn in 1951-1952 saw Allen redundant and lead to him to become a sole practitioner by July, 1952. Initially Allen limited his work to small-scale additions and alterations for friends and family. His first significant entirely new project was a house completed in Vancouver street, Red Hill, Australian Capital Territory.