Jake Martin
Registered Architect — QLD, NZ, SA · Green Star AP
Originally from Darwin, Jake has spent 15 years specialising in sports infrastructure — from community aquatic centres achieving 5 Star Green Star ratings to 85,000-seat international stadium complexes.
Currently Senior Associate at Buchan leading sports architecture for Brisbane 2032 Olympic venues and NZ stadium masterplans, Jake founded SARO to apply his project delivery experience to helping smaller organisations — clubs, federations, councils — access the same strategic rigour that major government projects demand.
Previously at dwp.design, he delivered the State Netball & Hockey Centre ($64.6M) and pioneered sustainable aquatics across regional Australia. Early career at Populous included a US secondment designing overlay for Super Bowl XLIX, NCAA championships, and multi-venue Commonwealth Games coordination.
Leading sports architecture for Brisbane 2032 Olympic venues and urban renewal masterplans across Queensland and New Zealand. Key projects: Te Tōangaroa Auckland Stadium, Northshore Vision 2050, QSAC Redevelopment.
Six-year focus on community sports and aquatics across Victoria and South Australia. Delivered the $64.6M State Netball & Hockey Centre — centrepiece of Victoria's women's sport investment — alongside Green Star aquatic facilities for regional councils.
Major stadium delivery and international overlay design. Includes a 2014–15 secondment to Denver, Colorado, working on Super Bowl XLIX, NCAA Final Four, and College Football Playoffs. Projects across Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and New Zealand.
Transport infrastructure design on Springfield Station Rail Project and Cross River Rail reference design, Brisbane.
Why SARO is different
No conflict of interest
SARO does not compete for design commissions. Advice on procurement, architect selection, and tender evaluation is independent — clients get advocacy, not upselling.
Registered architect credibility
Triple-registered across QLD, NZ, SA with Green Star accreditation. Technical advice carries professional weight that pure consultants cannot match.
Overlay design expertise
No other independent Australian consultant has combined Super Bowl, NCAA championship, and Commonwealth Games overlay experience. With Brisbane 2032 approaching, this capability has immediate market relevance.
Full scale range
Experience spans 200-seat community venues to 85,000-seat international stadiums. Advice is calibrated to the client's actual scale — community clubs get relevant, proportionate guidance.
Sustainability track record
Delivered one of Australia's first 5 Star Green Star aquatic facilities. Sustainability advice is grounded in actual delivery constraints — not theoretical targets.