About Donovan Payne Architects    |    Architecture

We offer a fully professional consultancy team to support all your client needs. 

Donovan Payne Architects, a privately owned and operated architectural practice, was founded by Kim Donovan and Carl Payne in 1997; with Scott Oswald becoming our third director in 2007. Donovan Payne Architects foundations derive from a strong interest in community-based design. Our portfolio of projects reflects this fact; and this experience. We were the only WA-owned-and-operating architectural practice to work on the  Sydney 2000 Olympics, designing the Water Polo Pool at the Ryde Leisure Centre in 1999. Donovan Payne has since created and delivered over three-hundred and fifty diverse projects. During the life of our practice, we have delivered more community-based public sector projects in Australia than any other professional consulting firm. We create quality architecture which encompasses both community and elite facilities in recreation, aquatics, sports pavilions, libraries, and the entire field of community/sports-based design.

Our Philosophy

At Donovan Payne, we believe successful architecture expresses the fully-resolved elements of context; space, relationship, materials, and needs, informed by rigour and intimate understandings. We aim to facilitate efficient, sustainable and well-loved architecture, which makes a positive contribution to the  built environment.

Donovan Payne’s enviable reputation for delivering well-loved community architecture, is available for clients within the broader spectrum of private and commercial design. Our aquatic and community experience involves the integration of a range of complex design elements; and this expertise is directly transferable to all kinds of complex architectural challenges, whether in housing, health, education, or whatever field requires sound design judgement and execution. We follow established practice methods at Donovan Payne Architects. We address all projects on the basis of required and relevant research. Design outcomes result in facilities which delight both user-groups; and building owners/managers. Operational excellence is our goal. Many past clients attest to our success in this methodology.

Our Methods

We apply the well-tested practice methods of Research + Design Rigour, as we explore all available relevant data. The process combines hand drawings and design testing, incorporating 3D modelling and video production, leading to the resolution and delivery of fully considered design outcomes.

Our practice model is the provision of clear and honest professional advice. Over many years, this approach, when combined with the delivery of successful and well-loved projects, has created lasting relationships/friendships; and rewarding project experiences for our clients, stakeholders, community engagements and professional consultants. Repeat clients; and repeat sub-consultancies, is a testament to this approach by Donovan Payne Architects.

Our Future

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The broad professional skills we possess are well suited to our community sports projects. They are also thoroughly suitable for all and every type of architectural consultancy project, as we look forward to our continued practice into the future.

Commendations in Summary.

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Tony Reed - General Manager | Waverley Council 

"I am pleased to provide a reference regarding the capabilities of Donovan Payne Architects as experts in the design of Aquatic and Leisure Centres, and can confirm that I would have no hesitation in commissioning Donovan Payne Architects again should I have the pleasure.

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The Ryde Aquatic and Leisure Centre project was a particularly complex one, with the concept itself commencing as a Private-Public Partnership including a 25-metre heated indoor pool, separated Olympic competition and diving pool, and a significantly enhanced indoor Aquatic Leisure Centre. Donovan Payne Architects was commissioned to design these Aquatic and Leisure Components, alongside the significant expansions applied to the project; and ensure that following the Games the removal of the ancillary infrastructure associated with the Games was carried out effectively, and the important leisure components of the Aquatic Leisure Centre could be installed without any cost escalation. Donovan Payne Architects proved to be very adept, and their forward planning methodologies and solid communication style proved to be very beneficial to the project, especially when dealing with two demanding clients, being the Olympic Construction Authority and David Lloyd Leisure."

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Our Recent Awards

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Armadale Aquatic and Fitness Centre

¬ Best Public Use Building 20-50m | 2019

   MBA Excellence in Construction Awards

¬ Community facility of the Year | 2019

   Parks and Leisure Australia Awards

¬ Excellence in Community Inftrastr. | 2018

   Urban Design Inst. of Australia Awards

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Leonora Goldfields Office

¬ Landscape Design | 2017
   Australian Timber Design Awards

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Bold Park Aquatic Centre

¬ Rising Star Winner | 2016
   Australian Timber Design Awards

¬ Best Public/ Commercial Building | 2016

   Australian Timber Design Awards

Mandurah Aquatic and Rec. Centre

¬ Finalist  | 2016 - 2017
   Sports and Recreation Industry Awards

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Tony Reed - General Manager | Waverley Council 

"I am pleased to provide a reference regarding the capabilities of Donovan Payne Architects as experts in the design of Aquatic and Leisure Centres, and can confirm that I would have no hesitation in commissioning Donovan Payne Architects again should I have the pleasure.

​

The Ryde Aquatic and Leisure Centre project was a particularly complex one, with the concept itself commencing as a Private-Public Partnership including a 25-metre heated indoor pool, separated Olympic competition and diving pool, and a significantly enhanced indoor Aquatic Leisure Centre. Donovan Payne Architects was commissioned to design these Aquatic and Leisure Components, alongside the significant expansions applied to the project; and ensure that following the Games the removal of the ancillary infrastructure associated with the Games was carried out effectively, and the important leisure components of the Aquatic Leisure Centre could be installed without any cost escalation. Donovan Payne Architects proved to be very adept, and their forward planning methodologies and solid communication style proved to be very beneficial to the project, especially when dealing with two demanding clients, being the Olympic Construction Authority and David Lloyd Leisure."

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Jim Epis - Chief Executive Officer | Shire of Leonora 

"Because of their well-known reputation in the industry for local-government aquatic and sports center design and deliveries, we spoke to Donovan Payne Architects when there was a need to develop a new Aquatic Centre in Leonora that me both the project brief and the budget.

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We received excellent service from their team, as we engaged Donovan Payne Architects for full architectural consulting services; and the final result is a testimony to their professional skills. They carried out Contract Administration services for us; and liaised fully with the builders during construction with all the work Donovan Payne carried out as professional, and resulted in a great new facility for the town. Since completing our Aquatic Centre, Donovan Payne has also very successfully completed additional community-facility projects for the Shire of Leonora. 

I can thoroughly recommend Donovan Payne Architects for similar work."

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Jim Epis - Chief Executive Officer | Shire of Leonora 

"Because of their well-known reputation in the industry for local-government aquatic and sports center design and deliveries, we spoke to Donovan Payne Architects when there was a need to develop a new Aquatic Centre in Leonora that me both the project brief and the budget.

​

We received excellent service from their team, as we engaged Donovan Payne Architects for full architectural consulting services; and the final result is a testimony to their professional skills. They carried out Contract Administration services for us; and liaised fully with the builders during construction with all the work Donovan Payne carried out as professional, and resulted in a great new facility for the town. Since completing our Aquatic Centre, Donovan Payne has also very successfully completed additional community-facility projects for the Shire of Leonora. 

I can thoroughly recommend Donovan Payne Architects for similar work."

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