It is with great sadness that we advise members of the passing of James Taylor on Tuesday, 17 May 2022.
James first joined the Institute in 1976 after arriving in Perth to work for the WA Public Works Department. He was recruited to join the PWD’s hospital division in 1973 after gaining experience as a health architect on a 1,000 bed hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Prior to his Malaysian sojourn, James had worked as an architect in Abadan in Iran as well as in Antigua and Barbados in the West Indies following the completion of his architectural studies in Dundee Scotland.
His passion and enthusiasm for the Institute soon resulted in his active involvement in the WA Chapter and his election as the WA Chapter President in 1987-1988. During this period, he was keen to document the history of the architectural profession in WA and was instrumental in commissioning Duncan Richards to prepare “High Hopes” as a record of the first 150 years of our profession.
Following his term as WA President, James took on the role of coordinator for the highly successful 1990 National Convention which was held in Perth and Kuala Lumpur resulting in a strengthening of relationships with the Malaysian Institute of Architects.
Based on the success of this conference and James’ active involvement in many other Institute initiatives, he was subsequently elected as the National President of the Institute in 1993-94. During his period on National Council, James was a founding member of the Board of the Institute’s Professional Indemnity Insurer.
When he retired from the PWD’s successor (the Building Management Authority), he joined MacCormac Architects and worked on the conversion of 2 Office buildings into 110 apartments at 2 St. Georges Terrace. During the 9 years he worked with Kym MacCormac, he administered the contracts for David Jones Perth store, three St. Martins projects and Equus Apartments in the CBD.
Following his second retirement, he concentrated on his golf skills as a keen member of the Royal Perth Golf Club. James is fondly remembered by all who knew him during his working life or relaxing on the golf course.
