David Colin

1945

David Colin Hassell was a key contributor to the continuing impetus of the international design firm HASSELL, which was established as the architectural practice, Claridge, Hassell & McConnell in 1938; his father, Colin Hassell, was a founder of the firm (Page: 286; Cosgrove, 2012: 81–82). David was project manager for many of the firm’s large-scale projects in South Australia in the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries, particularly in the fields of secondary and tertiary educational work, sporting and recreational buildings, many of which won RAIA awards.

David is the eldest of three children of Colin Hassell and his first wife, Katherine (nee Robertson). He was born in 1945 in Sydney, where his mother was visiting while his father was on recreation leave during World War Two. David attended Highgate Primary School and Prince Alfred College, before studying architecture at the University of Adelaide. He was interested in architecture from an early age, and although his father did not pressure him, he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing a role in the firm (Hassell, 2010).

After graduating as an architect (with Honours) at the University of Adelaide in 1968, David gained experience in a local architectural firm Lucas, Parker, Berriman and Lake. In 1969 he travelled to the United Kingdom, where he worked in London on commercial and government projects for the architectural firms Chapman Taylor and Partners (1969–70) and C Frank Timothy (1971). In the later part of 1971, he toured extensively through Europe, the USA and Japan, before returning to Adelaide in 1972 and joining his father’s firm, which was then Hassell & Partners Pty Ltd, later to become HASSELL.

When David joined Hassell & Partners Pty Ltd in 1972 ‘things were fairly buoyant’ (Hassell, 2010). The firm was in the process of completing a landmark building for the practice, the Adelaide Festival Centre complex. This was ‘Australia’s first multi-purpose arts centre’ (Campbell, 1998, xii). The second stage of the project, the drama theatres, was in progress, and David joined the design team, working ‘seven-day weeks and late nights’ to complete the project (Hassell, 2010). Also at this time, the availability of work was increasing, and so Hassell & Partners employed more staff and began to expand its skills-base.

After losing a key partner in Jack McConnell in 1970, the firm had begun to make major changes to its operating methods. With Colin Hassell as Managing Director, Hassell & Partners adopted a more businesslike approach, establishing the new disciplines of planning and landscape architecture, and developing a focus on collaboration. In the 1980s the practice expanded into urban design, landscape architecture and interior design. The new ideas were spearheaded by John Morphett, a partner (later Managing Director) who completed a Masters degree in Architecture at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the United States and then worked for TAC (The Architects Collaborative) with prominent modernist Walter Gropius (Morphett, 2010). On his return to the firm in 1962, Morphett brought new concepts learned from his experiences. The firm was ahead of its competitors in adopting a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, and its innovative methods led to greater expansion and an enhanced ability to manage downturns in the economy (Keane, 2003:69; Hassell, 2010; Cosgrove, 2012: 92).

David was strongly influenced by Morphett’s ideas, as well as Colin Hassell’s management skills (Hassell, 2010), particularly in the development of a sustainable model for collaboration between the design professions (Horton, 2008: 50; Cosgrove, 2012: 92). David acquired an understanding of collaboration within project teams, as well as alternative project delivery methods, and promoted this approach. He developed expertise in project management, with particular proficiency in ‘fast track’ and construction management methods of contracting. Influences outside the firm included the Bauhaus, Team Ten, and Buckminster Fuller, leading David to develop a pragmatic approach, favouring ‘a simplicity in design that expressed the use of structure’ (Hassell, 2010).

David became an Associate Director at Hassell & Partners Pty Ltd in 1977. When the firm undertook an initial evaluation of its computerised project management system in 1980s, he assumed responsibility for the contract administration client reporting package.

David gradually progressed within the firm, being appointed Regional Director of the Adelaide office in 1984, a Principal of the firm in 1994, and Managing Principal of the Adelaide office in 1999. In this last position, he also became a member of HASSELL’s Board of Directors, taking on responsibility not only for the South Australia, but also for the overall management direction of the international company itself.

He established the firm’s quality management procedures and controls from the 1990s, particularly as they applied to large projects, and was responsible nationally for the HASSELL Management System that saw full third party certified quality systems in each of the firm’s national offices.

After initially working on the later stages of the Adelaide Festival Centre, David worked on numerous projects, particularly in the sectors of secondary and tertiary education, and sporting and recreation. These included new buildings at Westminster School in the Adelaide suburb of Marion and major projects at Adelaide Oval. As project manager, his award-winning projects have included the highly-acclaimed Sir Donald Bradman Stand at Adelaide Oval (1989) and the Amy Wheaton Building (1995) for the University of South Australia in the Adelaide suburb of Magill. As Managing Principal of HASSELL, David’s vision for the firm saw it endeavouring to ‘be leading edge and leading the design debate’ (Cross, 2005: 37).

In Adelaide, David noted that some of the firm’s high-profile projects created controversy due to their unusual designs, but found that the public debate generated did not deter HASSELL’s growth (Keane, 2003:69). In fact, the firm continued to receive professional acclaim for such projects as Adelaide’s new airport terminal (2005; several awards including Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) (SA) Awards for Excellence 2006: President’s Award for Infrastructure Development) and the Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts (2006; Royal Australian Institute of Architects (SA) Awards 2006: Commendation – new Buildings).

During the time that David was with HASSELL, it expanded from having offices in Adelaide and Melbourne, to developing a national, and later an international presence. This entailed establishing offices in Sydney, Perth and New Zealand (now closed); and opening offices in the 1990s in Brisbane, as well as Hong Kong and Bangkok (Thailand), and in China in the early 2000s. By 2007, HASSELL had nearly 800 staff spread across 12 cities in Australia and Asia, and was one of the three South Australian firms to rank among the biggest design firms in Australia (Bowe, 2007: 6; Lloyd, 2007: 76).

David was heavily involved in professional organisations associated with architecture. As a member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), he became a National Senior Counsellor (1994–2015) and was awarded a RAIA Life Fellowship (2001). He was a member of the RAIA National Work Group on Legislative Guidelines (1980s), its Practice Committee (1980s) and its Quality Management Work Group (1990s). He was a representative on the RAIA (SA Chapter) Department of Technical and Further Education’s Architectural and Building Technician Certificate Advisory Committee (1970s), and the SA Government Energy in Buildings Consultative Committee, (inaugural member, 1970s). He was also a member of the RAIA National Fees and Agreements Work Group (2004–2007).

David also served as on the Architects Board of SA (1996–2008); was an Executive Committee member (1995–2003) of the Property Council of Australia (SA); a member and Chairman (1980-1985) of the South Australian Institute of Technology Course Advisory Committee in Architecture; and a member of the Association of Consulting Architects (SA Branch) (1987–2005), including periods as Deputy Chairman and Treasurer. He was an Executive Committee member, Building Design professionals (1998–2005); a Lecturer, Practice of Architecture Learning Series (2004–2008); and an Advisory Group member, University of SA Architecture Museum (2008–2016).

In addition, David contributed to the community as a member of public and other organisations. He was a member (1986–2002) and Secretary (1992–2002) of the Prince Alfred College Council, and a member of the Prince Alfred College Electoral Committee for 35 years (1977–2012). He was a member of the Prince Alfred Old Collegians’ Association (1974–1985) and its President (1981). He was a member of the Independent Schools Board – Governing Bodies Association (1992–1996), and a member of the Legacy Club of Adelaide for 26 years (1991–current), a Legacy Board member (2006–2007) and Chairman of its Housing Committee (2008–current).

David retired from HASSELL in 2008. He was a key member of the reference group that provided advice on a PhD study of the history of the firm HASSELL, completed in 2014.

David is married to Barbara and they have a son, Thomas and a daughter, Jane.

Caroline Cosgrove

Citation details
Cosgrove, Caroline, 'Hassell, David Colin’, Architecture Museum, University of South Australia, 2018, Architects of South Australia: [http://www.architectsdatabase.unisa.edu.au/arch_full.asp?Arch_ID=152]

CAREER SUMMARY
EDUCATION
Prince Alfred College, 1953–1962
Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) University of Adelaide, 1968

WORK
Lucas, Parker, Berriman and Lake, Adelaide, 1968–69
Chapman Taylor and Partners, London, 1970
C Frank Timothy, London, 1971
Hassell & Partners (later HASSELL); joined 1972, appointed Associate Director 1977, Regional Director 1984, Principal 1994–99, Managing Principal, Adelaide Office 1999–2008. David served for a number of years on the National HASSELL Board of Directors and for an extended period on its National Operations Executive.

PROFESSIONAL
Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), Life Fellow (2001); National RAIA Senior Counsellor (1994–2015, 21 years); RAIA National Work Group on Legislative Guidelines, member (1980s); RAIA Practice Committee, member (1980s); RAIA Quality Management Work Group, member (1990s); RAIA (SA Chapter) Department of Technical and Further Education’s Architectural and Building Technician Certificate Advisory Committee, representative; National Fees and Agreements Work Group, RAIA, member (2004-2007).

Architects Board of SA, Board member (1996–2008, 12 years)
Property Council of Australia (SA), Executive Committee member (1995–2003)
South Australian Institute of Technology Course Advisory Committee in Architecture, member and Chairman (1980-1985)
Association of Consulting Architects (SA Branch), member (1987–2005, 18 years), including periods as Deputy Chairman and Treasurer.

ACADEMIC/SCHOLARLY
PUBLIC PROFILE
Legacy Club of Adelaide, member (1991–current, 26 years), and Board member 2006–2007
Legacy Club of Adelaide, Housing Committee Chairman (2008–current, 9 years)
Prince Alfred College Council, member (1986- 2002, 16 years), Secretary (1992–2002, 10 years), and including extended service on Building, Finance and Archives subcommittees
Prince Alfred College Electoral Committee, member (1977–2012, 35 years)
Prince Alfred College Advisory Committee, member (2016–current)
Prince Alfred Old Collegians’ Association, member (11 years to 1985)
Prince Alfred Old Collegians’ Association, President 1(981)
Life Member and office bearer for each of the PAOCA Cricket, Football and Squash Clubs
Independent Schools Board – Governing Bodies Association, member (1992–1996)
Visiting Panels for University of SA School of Architecture course accreditation committees, member
Property Council of Australia – SA, Executive Committee member (1995–2003); Chairman, Technical Committee (1998-2003)
Australian Council of Building Design Professions, SA Branch, Executive Committee member (1998–2005)
Lecturer, (Australian Institute of Architects) Practice of Architecture Learning Series (2004–2008)
University of SA Architecture Museum, Advisory Group member (2008-2016, 9 years)

OVERVIEW OF WORKS

Project Manager/ Project Director

Minda Home Incorporated, Stage 2, Accommodation for the mentally handicapped, Brighton, SA, (1973)

Drama Theatres Complex, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Adelaide Festival Centre Trust (1974)

Underdale Campus, Stages 1, 2 and 3, University of South Australia, Underdale, SA (1973-1977)

Gilles Plains Community College, Gilles Plains, SA, SA Department of Further Education (1977–80)
Gerard Industries, several extensions to the headquarters office building, Bowden, SA

Colonel Light Centre, Adelaide, SA, The Corporation of the City of Adelaide (1978)

Telstra Major Communications building ($40m), Flinders Street, Adelaide, SA, (1978–79)

Award winning Performing Arts Centre and various primary and secondary school buildings, Westminster School, Marion, SA (1980–1991)

Six storey carpark, Gawler Place, Adelaide, SA, State Government Insurance Commission

Adelaide Aquatic centre, North Adelaide, SA

Team Leader, Melbourne Central Pty Ltd ($400m), design development, Victoria Central project, Melbourne, Victoria (1984–1985)

Regular passenger terminal ($20m), Darwin Airport, Darwin, NT, collaboration with Wilkins, Klemm & Morrison (1989–92)

Master Plan for Darwin Community College (now Charles Darwin University), Darwin, NT (1995)

Various projects for SA Cricket Association, Adelaide over two decades including the Sir Donald Bradman Stand (1989), the Award winning Eastern Stands (2003-2004), and design phase of the Western Stands redevelopment (with Cox Architecture) (2007-2008)

Award winning Amy Wheaton Building, Magill Campus, University of South Australia, Magill Campus, SA (1995)

Riverbank Promenade, Stage 1 Development, Adelaide, SA (2001)

Next Generation Sports centre, Memorial Drive Adelaide, SA, David Lloyd Leisure (2001)

State Library of South Australia redevelopment (with MGT Canberra), Adelaide, SA (2003), RAIA Award of Merit

City West Campus, University of South Australia, Stage 2 works (with John Wardle Architects), Adelaide, SA (2003–05)

Hassell Studio