JPA&D AUSTRALIA - Key Persons


Emily Saunders

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Registered Architect in New South Wales
Emily is a registered architect in New South Wales. She has qualifications in Architecture. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science (Architecture) from the University of Sydney. With twenty years in the profession, Emily has experience in different types of projects, including heritage, adaptive re-use, commercial, industrial, retail and corporate branding. Emily has a strong interest in the environment, sustainable design, heritage and affordability. She is also interested in inclusivity in the built environment, taking a holistic approach to accessibility.

Jaki Gaskell

Job Titles:
  • Associate / Senior Team Leader
  • Associate of the Practice
Jaki is an associate of the practice, and a qualified interior designer. She has over twenty years experience in corporate, government, health care, retail and hospitality fit-out projects. Jaki has been JPA&D's project designer for numerous commercial and government fit out and refurbishment projects.

Jennifer Preston

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Director
  • Interior Designer
  • Registered Architect
Jennifer is a registered architect in both New South Wales and Victoria and the founding director of the practice. She has qualifications in Architecture, Interior Design and Building Science, and is a fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in the Field of Architecture from the University of Queensland, and has taught at the University of Technology Sydney and the Queensland Institute of Technology. Jennifer has written book chapters, journal articles and conference papers on the history of architecture in Sydney and on the historic and cultural significance of public stairways. Jennifer is a Chapter Councillor and Chair of the Institute of Architects Heritage Committee of the NSW Chapter. With over twenty years in the profession Jennifer has a wide range of experience in different types of projects, including heritage, commercial and government projects. Jennifer has a strong interest in heritage and environmental issues and in developing ways of producing responsible designs that are not economically punitive. She also has a keen interest in equitable access and universal design and looking at ways of creating truly equitable environments.

Ross Thornton

Job Titles:
  • Architect in NSW
  • Director / Senior Design Architect
  • JPA & D in 2013 As Design Architect
Ross is an architect in NSW and has been in the profession for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in both multi unit and single dwelling residential projects, including in his own practice from 1990 to 2014. Whilst senior design architect with a previous practice, his project ‘Pavilions on the Park' was awarded best medium density development at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW Awards for Excellence 2010. In addition to residential projects, Ross is skilled in the design and detailing of a wide variety of project types including Police stations, Court Houses, Fire stations, substations and administrative offices. Ross joined JPA&D in 2013 as Design Architect, and is responsible for design and detailing of the offices major architectural projects. He has a passionate interest in architectural design at all levels, from concept to design development, to detail design at Tender/Construction documentation stage.