The architectural practice of Grounds Kent Architects (GKA) was formed by Jack Kent and Martin Grounds in 1993 after successfully completing the Four Seasons Resort Bali, the outcome of an international competition, a project which was ultimately awarded the Australian Institute of Architects 1996 George Temple Poole Award “In Recognition of an Outstanding Achievement of Architectural Design”.

In the following fifteen years GKA have designed culturally unique resort and hotel projects in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Barbados, India, Maldives, Fiji, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, China and Morocco, with an emphasis always on the use of local natural materials, culturally appropriate design and an empathy with topography and environment.

The majority of GKA's work has been in the Resort Hotel and related Resort Residential area of design. With fully staffed offices in Fremantle, Western Australia and Bali the practice has recently completed or is currently involved in wide range of projects such as the Sky City Resort Hotel Darwin, Clearwater Bay Barbados - Four Seasons Resort and Luxury Residences Barbados, Balé Resort Port Douglas, Raffles Hotel Bali, Bunker Bay Quay West Resort, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa Resort and Day Spa Maldives, Dinner Plain Central & Onsen Spa, Novotel Golf Residences Bali, Karma Resort Koh Samui .

Grounds Kent Architects firmly believe that where possible architecture should involve and reflect local conditions, materials and traditions, developing an interpretation of local building culture, the involvement of local tradespeople and use of local materials is reflected in everything we do and our finished works provide the end users, usually hotel guests, with an authentic “sense of place” unique to the location.

 

In 2007, Jeff Treverton, Scott Bradley, Ben Dundas and Nick Juniper were made partners in Grounds Kent Architects.