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John gained his Associate Diploma in Architecture in Queensland, Australia. His career path led to the United Kingdom where he built up a strong portfolio of sport and leisure projects. John partnered with Populous on the design of Sheffield Arena, a £32 million award-winning arena for the World Student Games in 1990. His work on racecourse projects, indoor multi-event centres and arenas took him to Bahrain, Venezuela and Spain, and further experience in the commercial and educational fields broadened his international base.
John was personally responsible for the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, the Landmark Millennium Project for Northern Ireland, which opened in December 2000. Conceived with the aim of regenerating Belfast’s dockland area, the 10,000 seat Odyssey Arena hosts multi-event sports including athletics, as well as concert and entertainment events.
As a senior principal of Populous, John is involved in the planning and design of major sports and leisure facilities. He managed the construction of Faro and Benfica stadia in Portugal for Euro 2004, and headed the design team for the Speed Skating Arena for the Winter Olympics in Torino 2006, which won the IOC-IAKS Gold Medal 2007.
Formula 1 motor racing interests led to the design and masterplanning of the new Dubai Autodrome, completed in 2004. On home ground, the grandstand and racetrack at Great Leighs, Essex is the first new racecourse to receive approval in the UK for over 70 years.
More recently, John has been managing the London Populous motorsport team in charge of developing exciting new models & masterplans for Motosport campus. Recent progects include:
The redevelopment of Silverstone, the home of the Bristish Grand Prix, where Populous are currently designing a new Pitlane & Paddock Facility whilst also redeveloping the wider context of the site.
The Iceland Moto Park combines a masterplan for 360 Hectares, with a 4.2 km FIA category 2 track, drag strip and Go-kart centre. The main grandstand building will create a futuristic iconic gateway building on the main approach to Reykjavik.
Moscow Autodrome, new motosport based city master of 190 hectares, which is based around a new circuit and recreational facility.
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