The Northern Territory architecture and wider community is mourning after the tragic loss of three of the region’s top architects due to horrific car accident.
Troppo Architects directors Lena Yali and Greg McNamara died after their ute was struck by a fire truck in Darwin at the weekend.
Also killed in the crash was leading Australian landscape architect Kevin Taylor of Adelaide.
Lena Yali (left) and Greg McNamara (right) with son Paul pictured in 2005. Picture: PETER BENNETT Image: NT Times
Kevin Taylor, Images: NT Times
A fourth person, Troppo Architects Adelaide director Phil Harris survived the crash without serious harm.
The husband and wife team are well known as champions of the Territory's unique architecture; they recently won on six of the Australian Institute of Architects NT awards for their hall at St Mary's Primary School in Darwin.
The couple are also known as the team behind yhe renovation of the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
Award-winning landscaper Mr Taylor is highly respected in Australia and New Zealand for his work at museums, botanic gardens and public parks.
The principal of Taylor Cullity Lethlean landscape architects, who had more than 25 years experience in the industry, won the contract for the $100 million makeover of Adelaide's Victoria Square last year.
According to the NT Times, he was a driving force behind bringing the city's forgotten western parklands back to life with plans to turn Bonython Park from a vast field into a landscaped activity hub.
The newspaper reported that the community is in shock and tributes have been pouring in.
St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral administrator Father John Kelliher said the hall would stand as a "living memory" to Ms Yali's work with her husband.
According to the NT Times, Harris, a close friend, read heartfelt statements from himself and the families, thanking the Darwin community for its overwhelming support in the wake of the tragedy, and the Police, Emergency Services and the Royal Darwin Hospital for their tremendous efforts.
A statement from Harris was published by the newspaper.
The Association of Consulting Architects and representatives of the RAIA were among groups offering their sincere condolences to the families for their loss.
