Stuart McIntosh graduated in architecture from Melbourne University in 1953. He commenced his career with the firm Yunken, Freeman Brothers, Griffiths and Simpson, before joining the architectural department of the English, Scottish and Australian Bank, where he established a reputation for innovation in bank architecture. In 1963, after winning the competition to design a Great Hall for the University of Queensland, McIntosh resigned his ES&A position in Melbourne and relocated to Brisbane with his family to take up the University commission, setting up in private practice with Robert Garner. McIntosh provided architectural advice on the construction of the new Victoria Bridge, 1966-1969. A fractious relationship with the University authorities, however, culminated in his dismissal from the Great Hall project. It was a setback from which McIntosh never completely recovered. After a period away from architecture, he returned to practice but found it difficult to secure commissions. He closed his office in 1993 and, until his death in 2007, devoted most of his professional time to entering local and international design competitions.