Family background
Graham Jahn was born in Hornsby and brought up in Berowra, NSW, son of a civilian worker at Garden Island Naval Dockyard. He is married to graphic designer Annelies and has two daughters and a son.
Occupation & interests
Graham Jahn is a chartered architect and was in private practice and a former president of the NSW Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. He began his career with the controversial architect Harry Seidler, moving on in 1980 to work with other firms in Australia and overseas including Glenn Murcutt and Zaha Hadid. He worked on the International Architect Magazine before founding Jahn Associates, of which he is principal. He is the author of the publications Contemporary Australian Architecture and Sydney Architecture and has curated exhibitions in Australia, Germany and the UK. He is a prolific architectural writer, being published in the Architectural Record (New York), Blueprint (London), Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and other publications. He has received numerous architectural awards including the prestigious Robyn Boyd award for housing in 1999. Graham Jahn is a Fellow and former National President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
Local government service
Graham Jahn was elected to the City of Sydney Council from September 1995 to September 1999. He was Chairman of the Planning Committee and the Civic Design Advisory Committee and alternate member of the Central Sydney Planning Committee. He stood down in 1999 to run for President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. Since 2009, he has rejoined local government as the Director of City Planning, Development and Transport, and is a member of the Council’s Executive.
References
Building Australia July 2001
City of Sydney Archives: Aldermen’s Files; Photo: AF