Personal reflection of apartment tower developments in San Francisco - Golden Gateway Centre and Ghirardelli Square. A critique of their urban planning, particularly treatment of the ground plane and landscaping.Handwritten, quarto, 3 pages.apartment towers, urban planning, san francisco, golden gateway centre, ghirardelli square, robin boyd, manuscript

Brief summary of Japanese architect, Kenzo Tange. Includes discussion of his style, themes and some of his work. Robin Boyd wrote two books on Japanese architects and architecture - 'Kenzo Tange' published by Braziller in 1962 and 'New Directions in Japanese Architecture' published by Studio Vista in 1968.Typewritten, quarto, typewritten (carbon copy), 4 pages.kenzo tange, japanese architect, japanese-australian plastic form, trabeation, hiroshima peace hall, children's library, tokyo stadiums, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the state of art and culture in Australia, in particular the artists, the art boom, art appreciation and cultural maturity. Beginnings of Australia's own sense of direction in the arts and moving to an Australian identity rather than relying on overseas influencesTypewritten, quarto, (carbon copy), 7 pages. (Two copies)art, culture, artists, painters, australia, australiana, australian identity, sydney opera house, robin boyd, manuscript

Discussion of opportunities (or lack of opportunities) open to creative and talented Australians. Asserts main obstacles to promise and progress are conservatism and lack of vision.This appears to be a talk or a speechTypewritten, quarto, (carbon copy), 8 pages. Second copy has pages 3-5 missing. (Two copies)kingsley henderson, australian creativity, new architecture, colour, shapes, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the quality of the architecture of the Sydney Opera House, its use as a concert hall, design by Jorn Utzon and continuation by Peter Hall.Typewritten, quarto, (carbon copy), 10 pages. A second copy has pencil edits and additions. (Two copies)sydney opera house, jorn utzon, peter hall, william davis hughes, exterior shells, concert hall, pier luigi nervi, buckminster fuller, eero saarinen, nikolaus pevsner, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses Kenzo Tange's plans for the national Gymnasium for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and his use of tensile construction.Original manuscript of an article published as ‘Olympic Buildings in Tokyo’ in "The Architectural Review", Vol.139 no.830, April 1966 pp. 262 - 270 Typewritten, carbon copy, quarto, 13 pages. A second copy is a photocopy, 14 pages. (Two copies)tensile movement, olympic buildings, tokyo olympic games, 1964, architecture, kenzo tange, national gymnasium, tensile construction, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the influence of background, temperament and creativity on an architect as well as the three phases in the development of architecture in 20th century and the theme of space. A long critique on the issue of the sails of the Sydney Opera House. The question of art versus technology in the future of architecture is argued. (Is this related to D020)This is an untitled speech, annotated with numbers indicating markers for slides, "Lights".Typewritten (carbon copy), with major pencil edits, quarto, 21 pages. Starts on page 2.On page 2, the title 'The Phases of Modern Architecture' is crossed out.creativity, functionalism, ornament, romanticism, fragmentation, space, computer, beauty, sydney opera house, sigfried giedion, jorn utzon, ove arup, super-functionalism, robin boyd, manuscript

Criticism of the state of Albert Park, Melbourne, preparation of a current map, the need for a Master Plan of buildings, plantings, furniture. Criticism of buildings. Suggests a plan to plant and paint.This appears to be a lecture.Typewritten with pencil edit and notes, quarto, 4 pages. (Two copies)Small paper square included with Monday, January 24 calendaralbert park, macrobertson girls high school, planting, building, furniture, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the hotel and motel accommodation situation in Victoria and lack of first class hotels, overall, in Australia. Sir Henry Bolte's 10% tax on hotel and motel accommodation saw many proposals for new hotels being shelved.Original manuscript of an article published in "The Sunday Australian" as ‘Bolte’s Victorian Melodrama’, 26.9.1971.Typewritten (carbon copy), quarto, 8 pages.hotel, motel, accommodation, australia, sir henry bolte, victoria, tourist industry, robin boyd, manuscript

Short pithy comments on the role of architecture in the future, modernising old buildings, universities, interiors, open spaces, churches, hospitals, shopping centres, commerce, recreation.Typewritten (c copy) (on right hand side only), quarto, 4 pagesfuture, universities, interior, open spaces, churches, hospitals, shopping centres, commerce, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses what does it feel like to be an Australian in 1959? A critique on our advanced national adolescence, limitations of our artist's creativity. We are not English or America - how do we compare? Australians want to be told they are better, the country anxious to hear well of itself. (This perhaps is related to item D015.)Typewritten, pencil edits, quarto, 4 pages, pages 6-9they're a weird mob, nino culotta, 1959 australia, cyril pearl, on the beach, so you want to be an australian, sidney nolan, john ely burchard, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd comments on Australian life and culture in the first half of the twentieth century up until 1959. He reflects on changes - is it progress? - from the pastoral to the industrial, briefly on housing and construction, and emphasises US influences in design (especially cars) and politics, and the lingering, conservative influence of the UK. Robin Boyd wrote this article anonymously. He was a member of the 'Round Table', a English based group on imperial and commonwealth matters.Original manuscript of an article published in The Round Table, "The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs", Vol 50, Issue 159, pp 26-31, 1959.Typewritten, quarto, 6 pagesAnnotations and corrections in pencilaustralian identity, taste, automobile design, they're a weird mob, nino culotta, 1959 australia, cyril pearl, on the beach, so you want to be an australian, sidney nolan, john ely burchard, robin boyd, manuscript

Changing dining habits - the loss of Australian pub dining rooms, new motel dining, bistros, the often poor surroundings, location of the toilets. Extreme sarcasm and criticism.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 6 pagesPencil annotationsrestaurants, bims, high tide, the carousel, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd makes the argument that in the first sixty years of the twentieth century there have been three phases of architecture, and these are described.Typewritten and carbon copy, quarto, 6 pages, and pp 3-7 carbon copy. Was originally 7 pages..twentieth century architecture, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the renewed interest in space relating to architecture and architectsTypewritten, quarto, p6 onlyarchitecture, architects, space, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd muses over Melbourne and its "schizophrenic or split-urbanity", exploring the contrasts that make its character. Poses question "Why don't I live in Sydney?", weighing the "humility" of Melbourne versus the arrogance of Sydney. Every creative movement of importance in Australia in the twentieth century had its origins in Melbourne, therefore Melbourne, Boyd argues, is the moral capital of Australia.Original manuscript of an article published in "The Australian", 04.03.1969. This is the first of a series of three articles about Melbourne published on consecutive days (see D023 and D024).Typewritten carbon copy, quarto, 8 pagesPencil annotationsmelbourne, collins street, alexandra avenue, george miles, boomerang, robin boyd, manuscript

Searing critique on the public apathy of the environment in which we live, as well as the dichotomy of the professional view of the city and suburbs. Boyd imagines what Melbourne might be like in year 2001.Original manuscript of an article published as 'Melbourne 2001 AD' in "The Australian", 05.03.1969. This is the second of a series of three articles about Melbourne published on consecutive days (see D022 and D024).Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 7 pagesmelbourne, trams, flies, road congestion, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the many paradoxes of Melbourne, humorously described: eg trams, flies and road congestion.Original manuscript of an article published as 'A new Melbourne with the professional touch' in "The Australian", 06.03.1969. This is the third of a series of three articles about Melbourne published on consecutive days (see D022 and D023).Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 6 pagesenvironment, apathy, rupert hamer, melbourne, suburbia, 2001, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the artistic and intellectual motivations behind building and the role of the architect. Robert Venturi is mentioned as being important in the movement towards modern architecture. The question asked is "What is architecture?"Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 20 pagesmodern architecture, pop art, art and science, architects, robert venturi, building, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the role of government and its failure to protect and lend support to Australia's other arts, such as the Australian television industry, and failure to encourage local production. Increase in American content appears to flout rules of the Broadcasting Control Board. Australian commercial television victim to foreign programmes, with Australian drama content continuing to decrease due to high costs and cheaper imported programs.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 7 pages. (Two copies)broadcasting control board, australian television, australian television industry, commercial television, postmaster general, australian television programs, american television programs, robin boyd, manuscript

List of projects with dates and short description of features. Projects date from 1954 to 1969. Seven more detailed descriptions. Potentially exhibition labels.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 8 pagesarchitecture, building materials, residential architecture, houses, motels, romberg and boyd, robin boyd, manuscript

Description of Baker family, site and house. Choice of slate building material, water tanks and arrangement of spaces.Published as 'Baker House, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria: Architects - Romberg and Boyd' in "World Architecture 3", edited by John Donat (1966).Typewritten, quarto, 2 pagesPencil annotationsbaker family, baker house, bacchus marsh, slate, water tanks, residential architecture, site analysis, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses what is a neighbourhood and how is it "broken-down" for town-planning and building regulation purposes. Discusses types of dwellings, infrastructure, zone barriers, isolation of residential zones, services etc.Original manuscript of ideas for the chapter titled 'The Neighbourhood' (pp. 32-43) by Robin Boyd in the book "Living and Partly Living", by Ian McKay, Robin Boyd, Hugh Stretton and John Mant, published by Nelson, Sydney 1971.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, foolscap, 2 pagesneighbourhood, suburbia, neighbourhood, dwelling types, residential zones services, robin boyd, manuscript

McKay discusses in first two documents questions about what is a house and what do residents want from a city at large. In the last he discusses national housing policy and how it has evolved since 1944.Original manuscript of an ideas for other chapters (written by Ian McKay, Hugh Stretton and John Mant) in "Living and Partly Living", Nelson, Sydney 1971. In the book, Ian McKay authored "The House", Hugh Stretton authored "The City" and John Mant authored "National Housing Policy".Typewritten Typewritten (p’ copy) Typewritten (p’ copy), quarto, 1 page, 1 page, 3 pagesnational housing policy, commonwealth housing commission report 1944, commonwealth state housing agreement 1956, ian mckay, manuscript

Discusses future cities and speculates on future trends. Looks back at ideas on the future of housing held by Boyd and his contemporaries in the 1950s and discusses how the reality of housing in the 1970s differs.Typewritten, quarto, 9 pagesfuture cities, apartments, suburban sprawl, modern houses, australian families, prefabrication, density, tensile construction, habitat 67, caravans, fred hoyle, tange, habitat 67, moomba, robin boyd, manuscript

A pointed critique of having two competing cities, Melbourne and Sydney, and the experience of driving the Hume Highway, staying at motels.Published as "The night between cities" in "London Magazine" (London), Vol.3, July 1963, pp. 45-50.Typewritten (c copy), foolscap, 7 pages. (Two copies)sydney, melbourne, motels, hume highway, robin boyd, manuscript

A detailed critique of Kenzo Tange's St Mary's Cathedral, Tokyo and experience of visiting the site. (later published asPublished as "A Cruciform Window onto Heaven" in "Architectural Forum", vol. 123, no. 2, September 1965, pp. 50-55.Typewritten (c copy), foolscap, 4 pages. (Three copies)st mary's cathedral, tokyo, kenzo tange, hiroshima, tokyo olympic games, hyperbolic paraboloid, japan, robin boyd, manuscript

Speech addresses urban planning, points to Canada and New Zealand as possible exemplars, prophetic predictions for the future (2017) like Archigram and the 'electronic era of the anti-city'; Boyd advocates strongly for high density.Speech for the Australian Planning Institute Jubilee ConferenceTypewritten, quarto, 25 pagesExtra handwritten notessydney, monorails, town planning, australia square, perth, melbourne, bernard evans, canada, new zealand, toronto, montreal, expo 67, archigram, los angeles, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses impact of technology in society. Four stages recognised from the Industrial Revolution to technology being controlled, to the use of technology in everyday life and finally to the effects, good and bad, on society and the environment, and how to adjust technology to benefit all. Discussion of reflections in architecture and how technology has advanced creativity and serves to benefit all societies.Paper for HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s Third Study ConferenceTypewritten, pencil edits, quarto, 13 pagestechnology, society, metabolism, archigram, architectural movements, robin boyd, manuscript

Early draft of an article exploring the relationship between art, science and architecture.Typewritten, handwritten major pencil edits, quarto, 5 pages. Page 1 is missing.Page 1 missing, pages 4 and 6 handwrittenprefabrication, art, science, third culture, third culturalists; statler-hilton vision, robin boyd, manuscript