James Brearly

Brearly founded BAU (Brearley Architects and Urbanists) in Melbourne in 1992 where he won several RAIA awards. In 2001, he opened BAU's China office in Shanghai with a Chinese partner, his wife Fang Qun, after winning the competition for the Jinqiao sport and leisure center in Shanghai. Since then, BAU has completed many architecture and urban design projects throughout China, including a 12sqkm extension to the city of Chengdu.

BAU developed and apply the concept of Network Cities in response to sustainability issues arising as a result of the building frenzy in China. Consisting of a progressive urban design with an overlaying of functional programs in forms of networks, Network Cities allow a more sustainable, equal and diverse environment.

James Brearley is the co-author of the book 'Networks Cities', a publication of BAU works and projects in China between 2000 and 2006, accompanied by essays and photographic documentation on the urban development in China.

Lecturing and taking part in art projects and exhibitions on a regular basis, Brearly has also made BAU's Shanghai office a place of cultural exchange, promoting architecture and design through lectures, exhibitions and events.

James Brearley was born in Melbourne in 1963 and studied building at Melbourne University. He also studied Architecture at both Melbourne and RMIT Universities where he completed his Bachelor of Architecture. After working in London for Will Alsop, he returned to Melbourne and opened a private practice in 1992. In 1998 he gained a Master of Planning (urban design) at Melbourne University. There, Brearly met Fang Qun with whom he opened the Shanghai office in 2002. The practice currently employs fifty personnel.