James Davidson is the founder and Principal of JDA Co. — the preferred architecture and design practice for governments, councils and private enterprises adapting urban environments to withstand floods, cyclones, bushfires, storm surges and extreme heat.

James is a lead technical advisor to the Queensland Government’s $741M Resilient Homes Fund. JDA Co. assisted in the design and implementation of this landmark program, which has since been replicated in other Australian states. It follows the rollout of the Flood Resilient Homes Program for the Brisbane City Council — Australia’s largest local government authority — for which JDA Co. was a delivery partner. James has also partnered with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and local Queensland councils to deliver flood-resilient building guidelines.

James holds a Doctorate in Architecture, is a previous Director of Emergency Architects Australia and a Winston Churchill Fellow. He is also the author of Waterfutures: Integrated water and flood management strategies for enhancing liveability in Southeast Queensland.

Clive joined JDA Co. due to his strong interest in progressive, climate-responsive architecture and his passion for remote and challenging design. Having previously worked in graphic design and illustration, Clive is always looking for ways to improve a situation through design and visual communication. Through this passion, he has been heavily involved in the design and development of multiple publications including State government's Bushfire Resilient Building Guidance for Queensland Homes & the Water Futures book.

Being of Burmese heritage, Clive is particularly interested in architecture’s role in Asia, having undertaken post-tsunami housing research in Tohoku, Japan. He hopes to one day work on meaningful projects in Myanmar. Clive is also the 3D visual artist at JDA Co and a laser scanning technician at SpatialOps.

Kane brings 25+ years’ drafting experience to JDA Co. He has worked extensively across North Queensland and remote island locations. Understanding the nuances of regional sites makes Kane an ideal fit for JDA Co. — a studio at ease working on geographically remote and often challenging sites.

Integral in enabling a design to be effectively and efficiently executed, Kane collaborates widely. He is responsible for coordinating a range of disciplines, including building, engineering, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical contractors. All who work with him, know Kane as an exceptional problem solver — able to identify innovative ways to realise an architect’s vision.

Kane spent five years living and working in the UK, in roles that saw him contribute to the success of large-scale, complex projects. His international career highlights include senior drafting roles on a mixed-use project linking to the 2012 Olympic Games stadium, and a significant Shepherd’s Bush retail hub, combining transport links and hospitality outlets. 

Arjan joined JDA Co. in 2018 whilst studying at the University of Queensland. Since then, he has contributed to a range of heritage projects, including cultural, educational and residential work. Arjan’s key area of interest is implementing JDA Co.’s 3D laser scanning service — a technology used to gather on-site data, accurately and precisely. Capturing one-million points per second, whilst rotating 360degrees, the scanner allows Arjan to collate vital information to formulate 3D project models. In particular, Arjan is excited by the opportunity to deploy this technology to assist in the design of more accessible spaces for people living with disabilities.

Arjan first met James Davidson in Malaysia, when Arjan was a New Colombo Plan scholar — a sought-after scholarship that allowed him to study in the Indo-Pacific region where James was teaching at the time. Arjan has long admired James’ drive to deploy architecture to help improve the lives of regional communities and home owners battling challenging climates.