JOHN LEA
JOHN LEA
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Raised on a farm some distance from the nearest town, from a very early age I was taught the importance of invention and innovation to solve everyday problems utilising what we had at hand.
This fostered an interest in design, and my passion for Architecture was ignited whilst attending Boarding School in the city where I was exposed to a wide array of architectural styles from historic colonial to contemporary modern. I also quickly learnt the importance of self-reliance and discipline, which provided me with the foundations to excel in my tertiary studies and to graduate with Honours as an Architect.
I began my career working overseas, embarking on numerous trips through Europe exploring the many classical architectural styles that ultimately informs all design, whether it be through appreciation of proportion or the complimentary use of varied materials.
Returning to Australia filled with inspiration and enthusiasm for design, after a brief period I established a successful Architectural practice with a partner on the Gold Coast.
Over time we began undertaking our own Property Developments, which ultimately resulted in us restructuring the business to focus fully on developing prestige properties. As Design Director I was responsible for managing external Architects to undertake our projects and to ensure the best design and development outcomes were achieved.
In addition to property development, we also established a construction division developing new flatpack and modular construction technologies applied to remote housing, mining and infrastructure projects, and emergency shelters for international disaster relief.
Ultimately my love of design has led me back to Architecture, and the establishment of my new venture to capitalise on the extensive experience I’ve gained in all facets of the Industry.
Welcome to Lea Design Studio!
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Raised on a farm some distance from the nearest town, from a very early age I was taught the importance of invention and innovation to solve everyday problems utilising what we had at hand.
This fostered an interest in design, and my passion for Architecture was ignited whilst attending Boarding School in the city where I was exposed to a wide array of architectural styles from historic colonial to contemporary modern. I also quickly learnt the importance of self-reliance and discipline, which provided me with the foundations to excel in my tertiary studies and to graduate with Honours as an Architect.
I began my career working overseas, embarking on numerous trips through Europe exploring the many classical architectural styles that ultimately informs all design, whether it be through appreciation of proportion or the complimentary use of varied materials.
Returning to Australia filled with inspiration and enthusiasm for design, after a brief period I established a successful Architectural practice with a partner on the Gold Coast.
Over time we began undertaking our own Property Developments, which ultimately resulted in us restructuring the business to focus fully on developing prestige properties. As Design Director I was responsible for managing external Architects to undertake our projects and to ensure the best design and development outcomes were achieved.
In addition to property development, we also established a construction division developing new flatpack and modular construction technologies applied to remote housing, mining and infrastructure projects, and emergency shelters for international disaster relief.
Ultimately my love of design has led me back to Architecture, and the establishment of my new venture to capitalise on the extensive experience I’ve gained in all facets of the Industry.
Welcome to Lea Design Studio!
Raised on a farm some distance from the nearest town, from a very early age I was taught the importance of invention and innovation to solve everyday problems utilising what we had at hand.
This fostered an interest in design, and my passion for Architecture was ignited whilst attending Boarding School in the city where I was exposed to a wide array of architectural styles from historic colonial to contemporary modern. I also quickly learnt the importance of self-reliance and discipline, which provided me with the foundations to excel in my tertiary studies and to graduate with Honours as an Architect.
I began my career working overseas, embarking on numerous trips through Europe exploring the many classical architectural styles that ultimately informs all design, whether it be through appreciation of proportion or the complimentary use of varied materials.
Returning to Australia filled with inspiration and enthusiasm for design, after a brief period I established a successful Architectural practice with a partner on the Gold Coast.
Over time we began undertaking our own Property Developments, which ultimately resulted in us restructuring the business to focus fully on developing prestige properties. As Design Director I was responsible for managing external Architects to undertake our projects and to ensure the best design and development outcomes were achieved.
In addition to property development, we also established a construction division developing new flatpack and modular construction technologies applied to remote housing, mining and infrastructure projects, and emergency shelters for international disaster relief.
Ultimately my love of design has led me back to Architecture, and the establishment of my new venture to capitalise on the extensive experience I’ve gained in all facets of the Industry.
Welcome to Lea Design Studio!
LEARN MORE
Graduating from Adelaide University with an Honours Degree in Architecture, I began my career working on the design of the new Monte Carlo themed Adelaide Casino, before travelling overseas to work in London and explore Europe.
I spent several years working on a diverse range of commercial projects for various architects including internationally renowned Terry Farrell Partnership, part of a select team designing the revitalization of the historic Tobacco Dock in London’s Docklands, and the iconic MI5 Headquarters overlooking the Thames at Charing Cross.
Returning to Australia I was offered a role with an architectural practice based on the Sunshine Coast designing the new Kooralbyn Resort Hotel. Becoming an Associate within two years, working in one of Australia’s most dynamic growth regions I gained invaluable experience in development masterplanning, as well as residential and resort design.
I was then approached to join Pacific Projects Group, a newly established architectural practice based on the Gold Coast. As Principal Design Architect, I played a pivotal role in developing the business into a highly regarded architectural practice boasting an extensive work portfolio with a diverse range of projects throughout Australasia and the Pacific. Eventually taking over the reins as Managing Director, our projects included some of Queensland’s most luxurious and expensive homes, award winning beachfront apartments and resorts, premiere commercial developments and the master planning of numerous multi-residential communities.
The focus of the business gradually evolved from architectural consulting to property development, designing and developing our own projects. This ultimately led to a major restructure as the practice was absorbed by Resort Corp, a newly established property development company creating prestige coastal resorts throughout NSW and Queensland. I was engaged as Design Director, responsible for managing the design process and overseeing a select group of Australia’s leading architectural practices commissioned to undertake our projects.
Further restructuring saw the establishment of MiiGroup, an international corporation with interests including property development, prefabricated building solutions, and resort hotel ownership. In addition to managing the design of our inhouse property developments, I was also responsible for the design of innovative construction systems and rapid deployment modular and flatpack products for the Group’s construction division.
The lure of architecture and the excitement of design eventually proved too strong, resulting in my return to architectural practice and the recent establishment of Lea Design Studio to service both individual clients, and the property development industry.
