Boyd discusses Graeme Gunn's Plumbers & Gasfitters Employees Union Building; indicates it is unusual for Australian trade unions to be a patron of the arts; discusses the angular design and its raw concrete, which Boyd praises as internationally fashionable; suggests that the last great piece of union-commissioned architecture was the Wharf Labourers' Union building, a 1916 Art Nouveau building by Robert Haddon.Original manuscript of an article published in "The Sunday Australian", 06.06.1971 (Review of Graeme Gunn’s Plumbers and Gas Fitters Building, Victoria Parade, Carlton).Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 7 pagestrade unions, plumbers and gasfitters employees union of australia, graeme gunn, brutalism, concrete, robert haddon, wharf labourers' union building, flinders st, robin boyd, manuscript

Comparison of Canberra and Surfers Paradise as potential cultural capitals of Australia. Canberra represents one end of the spectrum of traditional architectural morals of sophistication and orderliness; Surfers Paradise represents the opposite end of the spectrum, that is extreme Pop, fun and flashiness.Original manuscript of an article published as ‘Trad modern, pop modern’ in "The Sunday Australian", 25.4.1971. Typewritten (p/copy), quarto, 9 pagesTop of page 1 handwritten where and when published, page numbers, minor correctionscanberra, surfers paradise, australian culture, morris lapidus, australian cities, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd praises Reyner Banham's book titled "Los Angeles: The Architecture Of Four Ecologies" published in 1971. Boyd describes Banham's unconventional, positive attitude toward Los Angeles as an architectural love story. Boyd notes that Banham is somewhat idealistic about Los Angeles but declares the book a successful and interesting balance between history and architecture.Original manuscript of an book review published as 'Los Angeles: architectural love story' in "The Sunday Australian" on 04.07.1971.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, quarto, 7 pagesreyner banham, los angeles, historian, modern architecture, age of technology, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses twentieth century architecture and the evolution of modern architecture. Describes present architecture in three categories, namely vernacular, professional and creative. Examples of house designs within the new architecture are given.This manuscript was published as a book titled "The New Architecture" (The Arts in Australia Series), Longmans, Melbourne, 1963.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, quarto, 18 pagesmodern architecture, australia, young architects, creative architecture, new architecture, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the new skyscrapers changing our skyline and classifies them into two types - development buildings and name buildings.Original manuscript of the article ‘Big boxes with holes – for high profits or for prestige’ published in The Sunday Australian on 01.08.1971.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 8 pagesmodern architecture, skyscrapers, development buildings, name buildings, sculptural competitions, clean and uncomplicated, marland house, robin boyd, manuscript

Describes Canberra as a city that has minimal architectural character, as it is mainly characterised by its natural landscape and roadways. The new phase in Canberra refers to several civic projects that will serve to define Canberra as a national capital.Original manuscript of the article 'A New Phase for Canberra' published in Sunday Australian, 05.09.1971.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 9 pagescanberra, urban planning, walter burley griffin, capital circle, capital hill, campbell park, australian architecture, harry seidler, robin boyd, manuscript, national capital

Overview of residential architectural styles from 1925 to 1965 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Home Beautiful" magazine. Discussions include the future of housing technology, Californian Bungalow design and the future of the 'modern house'.Original manuscript of 'Is our frozen house design about to thaw', published in Australian Home Beautiful, Vol, 44, No. 10, October 1965, pp. 4-11.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 23 pages. (Two copies)home beautiful, queen anne, californian bungalow, charles greenhill, walter burley griffin, harold desbrowe-annear, home beautiful, modernism, robin boyd, manuscript

Extols the virtues of Waikiki as a holiday destination/escape machine, the less-than-Good Taste of the resort combined with its virtues/religious dogma of American middle-class vacation standards. Boyd describes a day of the typical young American hotel occupant, and Honolulu's uniform air of confidence attracting American tourists. This manuscript was published in 'The Sunday Australian' with the title ‘Why I love Waikiki’ on 23/05/1971.Original manuscript of ‘Why I love Waikiki’ published in 'The Sunday Australian', 23/05/1971.Typewritten (1 c copy and 1 p/copy), pencil edits, quarto, 11 pagesSent 12 May 71 - in pencil on front pagewaikiki, honolulu, american tourism, second rate californian architecture, american middle-class vacation standards, robin boyd, manuscript, ohm2022, ohm2022_16

Boyd argues that Australia needs confidence in creative thinking so our products can cut through established formulas to contribute to our growth as a nation. He outlines four stages of architectural development in every community, and describes Canada in these terms. He posits that Australia overall is only at stage two (imported sophisticated), Brisbane/Hobart/Adelaide at stage one. Boyd argues the Australian dream of individual identity is impossible now, to move to stage 3 Australia needs to be encouraged to have confidence in Australian artists of all kinds, allowing creative people to flourish, be themselves. He indicates that Canberra is close to third stage, with architecture designed by international figures in 1960s but now Australian John Andrews brought out to do an architecturally creative office complex in Belconnen - Canberra, signalling growth of a national identity.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits and additions, quarto, 7 pages - p12-18confidence in creative thinking, australian national identity, four stages in architectural development, canberra architecture, john andrews, robin boyd, manuscript

Robin Boyd was on the judging panel for the American Institute of Architects, in conjunction with Sunset magazine, "Best houses" in the West Coast USA in 1965. Interesting commententary is given about the 364 houses entered and the award-winning houses. Some conclusions about what is new in planning are drawn. Comparisons are made with the best Australian houses and landscape architecture of 1965. This manuscript of Boyd's weekly newspaper column in 'The Australian' was published with the same title on 31/07/1965.Original manuscript of an article published in The Australian, 16/10/1965.Two copies. One typewritten (c copy), pencil edits and additions. Second typewritten (p/copy). Both quarto, 7 pages.american institute of architects, california, sunset magazine, house design, 1965, landscape design., robin boyd, manuscript, ohm2022, ohm2022_16

Discussion of Architectural professional techniques (organisation of the profession, from the societies, registration etc and the growth in the profession, office practices) public and private practices (eg Commonwealth Department of Works,), research and regulations (eg building research, CSIRO), and theory and practice (the vernacular, the professional and the creative).Original manuscript of an article published as 'Architecture in Australia’ in RIBA Journal, Vol.78, No.1, January 1971, pp.11-20.Typewritten (p/copy), quarto, 22 pagesaustralian architecture, royal australian institute of architects, the architecture profession, package dealing, australian architecture students association, public and private practice, commonwealth department of works, building research, csiro, building regulations, john andrews, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd discusses Australia and New Zealand's search for their own 'modern' architectural style. Boyd points out the influence of the natural landscape that affects these designs and architectural decisions. In addition, he argues that the search for 'modern' architecture isn't rushed due to the need of respecting the natural landscape of both Australia and New ZealandOriginal manuscript of an article 'Australia in seclusion’ published in Journal of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Vol. 34, September 1967, pp.270-275.Typewritten (c copy), foolscap, 21 pages (two copies of page 9)walter burley griffin, harold desbrowe annear, robert haddon, seabrook and fildes, roy grounds, geoffrey mewton, edward f. billson, best overent (overend), modern architecture, sydney opera house, ian mckay's c/b/ alexander presbyterian agriculture college, ernest kump, sydney school, california, robin boyd, manuscript

Drafts of various writings/speeches by Boyd. One page written in blue and red ink appears to be a draft for 'The Value of Expos' (see D112) that is taken in point form. One page written in pencil and green ink appears to be a draft for an article on Australia moving forward to modern architecture after WWII and the potentials of Skyscrapers and prefabricated housing.Handwritten, quarto, 3 pieces: x2 are folded, x1 small paper slip pagesexpo 64, prefabrication, archigram and metabolism, robin boyd, manuscript

The article celebrates Walter Burley Griffin and the impact he has had on Australian architects. Boyd calls Griffin 'America's greatest ever export to Australia after the T-model Ford'.Original manuscript for an article published in "Australia" (Los Angeles), Vol.2, August – October 1964, pp.13-15.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 6 pages. (Four copies)american influence, walter burley griffin, capitol theatre, canberra, robin boyd, manuscript

A review of the two books 'The New Architecture and the Bauhaus' by Walter Gropius and 'Garden Cities of Tomorrow' by Ebenezer Howard, on the occasion of their reissue as paperbacks.Original manuscript published as "Ahead of the trend" in the 'The Australian' on 05.06.1965.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 5 pagesadelaide, bauhaus, canberra, deutscher werkbund exhibition, elizabeth, garden cities, walter gropius, ebenezer howard, letchworth, lewis mumford, welwyn, yallourn, robin boyd, manuscript

Discussion of the history of the 'glass box', i.e. the glazed curtain wall skyscraper and its appearance and demise in Australia. Also discusses the phenomenon of multi-storey car parks, and RMIT student designs for Victoria Market.Published as "Death notice: The End of the Glass Box/Birth Notice: A New 3-D Style for a City" in 'The Australian' on 13/11/1965.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 8 pagesaustralia square, bates, smart & mccutcheon, john a la gerche, walter gropius, ici house, mcconnel, smith and johnson, harry seidler, sydney opera house, un secretariat, bogle and banfield, peter mcintyre, robin boyd, manuscript

In this handwritten text of a speech to the Victorian Fabian Society, Boyd addresses the question: Is Australia Ugly? He argues that the issue with Australian cities is primarily in the realm of urban design rather than architecture. Boyd outlines the types of ugliness in the urban domain, comparing attitudes to Australian cities to those elsewhere, particularly the United States.Speech to Victorian Fabian SocietyHandwritten, quarto, 15 pages, missing pages 11-16.victorian fabian society, george johnson, eric westbrook, steven murray-smith, fred ledgar, south eastern freeway, lyndon johnson, robin boyd, manuscript

Discussion of contemporary church architecture. Boyd disapproves of inappropriate and unnecessary ornament.Original manuscript of an article published as "Churches get Curiouser" in The Australian on 26.06,1965.Typewritten, quarto, 5 pages. (Two copies)Minor hand edits on second copychurches, laminex, mareeba, auckland, robin boyd, manuscript

A discussion on the evolution of the contemporary churches in Australia. Boyd praises the attention to detail on the materials used in church architecture and the potential lessons that can be brought forth to other buildings beyond the design of modern churches.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 5 pageschurches, modern architecture, photography, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd argues that the Australian cultural split between what he perceives to be cultured tastes and artistic achievements and the tastes of ordinary Australians is wider and more polarised than in other countries. He derides commercial radio, popular women's magazines, public commercial streets etc - elements of the Australian ugliness. He praises the growth of local contemporary art, literary magazines and architecture, whilst calling for the development of community pride amongst leaders of commerce and industry, and government control of the ugliness of popular culture. This may have been published in "Walkabout" magazine.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 11 pagesart, egalitarianism, sidney nolan, australian painting, pop art, phil may, dyson, low, media, cartoons, australian literature, radio, california cultural heritage board, commercial advertising, robin boyd, manuscript

Scene setting article for an RAIA national convention in Sydney. Discussion of the idea of time lag and Australian design and the nation's biggest buildings having been designed in the USA.This was an article for Sydney Morning Herald Architecture Convention feature. An extended article of the same title was published in "Architecture in Australia", vol 56, no 3, June 1967, pp 454-465.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 6 pagesfrancis greenway, edmund blacket, motels, william wardell, minoru yamasaki, united states, robin boyd, manuscript

This summaries the key points of the recently held National Architectural Convention, the first of its kind to be held in Australia, which brought many visiting architects.Typewritten, foolscap, 3 pagesSeveral small ink correctionsarchitecture melbourne; national architecture convention; century of architecture; building industry productivity; city plan for melbourne; australian style; school of architecture melbourne university; international students, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd suggests the emergence of an Australian School of modern architecture and points to orderliness, material and structural honesty and austerity as characteristic features.Original manuscript of an article published as 'Australian Architecture' in "Australian Building Profile", 1964, pp. 8-9.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 2 pagesaustralian school, robin boyd, manuscript

Piece discussing and defending the construction of the Sydney Opera House and Jorn Utzon. Boyd recounts how the impatience of Sydney and necessity to show the progress of the building have resulted in premature construction and inflation of the cost. Piece ends with questioning whether the Opera House will be worth it. A copy of the published article was in the Sydney Opera House scrapbook in the desk cupboard (item P1378.19).Original manuscript of an article published in The Australian on 18.09.1965. This is the first part of a three part series called 'This Opera House' published 18th, 19th and 21st September 1965 (see D175 and D176).Typewritten, quarto, 10 pagesjorn utzon, sydney opera house, sydney opera house project, international architecture competition, cost of building, robin boyd, manuscript

Account of the international competition for the Sydney Opera House, in which Eero Saarinen claims responsibility for the outcome. The building costs progressively grow due to the redesign of the shells to conform to more conventional construction methods. Article concludes that, despite cost increase that will eventually be forgotten, the success of the Sydney Opera House will be determined by whether the initial vision will be carried through. A copy of the published article was in the Sydney Opera House scrapbook in the desk cupboard (item P1378.20).Original manuscript of an article published in The Australian on 20.09.1965. This is the second part of a three part series called 'This Opera House' published 18th, 19th and 21st September 1965 (see D174 and D176).Typewritten, quarto, 8 pagesPencil mark ups on first pageinternational architecture competitions, sydney opera house, jorn utzon, sydney opera house project, eero saarinen, design vision, cost of building, robin boyd, manuscript

Article questioning the assessment of the success of the Sydney Opera House by three main categories: will it work; artistically, is the vision exciting; what does the project do for Australian culture? Article concludes that the true worth of the Sydney Opera House is in its audacity, presence on the global stage, and its patronage to the arts. A copy of the published article was in the Sydney Opera House scrapbook in the desk cupboard (item P1378.21).Original manuscript of an article published in The Australian on 21.09.1965. This is the third part of a three part series called 'This Opera House' published 18th, 19th and 21st September 1965 (see D174 and D175).Typewritten, quarto, 8 pagesinternational architecture competition, utzon, sydney opera house, sydney opera house project, cost of building, robin boyd, manuscript

Robin Boyd wrote two books on Japanese architects and architecture - “Kenzo Tange” published by George Braziller in 1962 and “New Directions in Japanese Architecture” published by Studio Vista in 1968. During the 1960s he travelled several times to Japan to research these books and as part of his role as Exhibits Architect for the Australian Pavilion at Expo ‘70 in Osaka. Boyd called it the Sogetsu Art Center in his book “Kenzo Tange”, where it is extensively illustrated (Plates 77-82).Colour slide in a mount. Sogetsu Art center (1958), Tokyo, Japan. (Architect: Kenzo Tange.)Made in Australia / 18japan, slide

The Sogetsu Artistic Center was designed by Kenzo Tange. Robin Boyd wrote two books on Japanese architects and architecture - “Kenzo Tange” published by George Braziller in 1962 and “New Directions in Japanese Architecture” published by Studio Vista in 1968. During the 1960s he travelled several times to Japan to research these books and as part of his role as Exhibits Architect for the Australian Pavilion at Expo ‘70 in Osaka. Colour slide in a mount. Garden at Sogetsu Artistic Center, Tokyo, Japan. (Architect: Isamu Noguchi.). Made in Australia / 17 / 1tokyo, slide

By the late 1950s, Robin Boyd had developed a network of connections in the United States, and a reputation there as an important architectural critic. In 1960 he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the American Institute of Architects. This certificate is dated April 18, 1960, the day earlier than another certificate at Walsh Street (item D492). It is also signed by the President Philip Will Jr. 1960–1962 and the Secretary, Jeremy Leanne (?).Certificate from The American Institute of Architects, with crest, awarding Robin Boyd an Honorary Fellowship. Dated April 18, 1960 and signed by the President, Philip Will Jr, and Secretary Jeremy Leanne. It is inside an envelope.The American Institute of Architects certificate of Honorary Fellowship Robin Boyd eminent architect, citizen of Australia having been admitted to Honorary Fellowship by the Board of Directors in recognition of his distinguished achievements is declared to be an Honorary Fellow The American Institute of Architects entitled to use that title and to enjoy all the privileges of that membership.the american institute of architects, aia fellow, fellowship, robin boyd

By the late 1950s Robin Boyd had developed a network of connections in the United States, and a reputation there as an important architectural critic. In 1960 he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the American Institute of Architects. This certificate was put on display in Penleigh's bedroom by the Robin Boyd Foundation. This certificate is dated April 19, 1960, the day earlier than another certificate at Walsh Street (item D491). It is also signed by the President John Noble Richards who served 1958–1960.Framed certificate from The American Institute of Architects, with crest, awarding Robin Boyd an Honorary Fellowship. Dated April 18,1960 and signed by the President, John Noble Richards, but unsigned by the Secretary. It has a simple timber frame by Deans, 346 Little Collins St. No 17121.The American Institute of Architects certificate of Honorary Fellowship Robin Boyd eminent architect, citizen of Australia having been admitted to Honorary Fellowship by the Board of Directors in recognition of his distinguished achievements is declared to be an Honorary fellow The American Institute of Architects entitled to use that title and to enjoy all the privileges of that membership.the american institute of architects, fellowship, aia fellow, robin boyd, ohm2022, ohm2022_38