Factual article outlining the purpose and history of the Victorian Institute of Architects, Victorian Architecture Medal. Boyd discusses the selection process, history of the Victorian Street Architecture Medal and the VIA medal it has become, and notable winners of the medal.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 3 pagesvictorian institute of architects, victorian architecture medal, victorian street architecture medal, 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 outlines the history of Canberra's design and construction. He argues that Canberra's strength is its planning and axially-based landscaping, but that it lacks the buildings which make the Le Corbusier's Chandigarh interesting. Boyd is highly critical of Chandigarh as an urban environment and concludes that for non-architects, planning and connection to nature is more important than buildings.Original manuscript published as 'Canberra Master Plan: Walter Burley Griffin' in World Architecture 4, John Donat (ed.), Viking Press 1967, pp 202-205.Typewritten (p/copy), quarto, 6 pageswalter burley griffin, canberra, john overall, lake burley griffin, oscar niemeyer, le corbusier, chandigarh, city beautiful, garden city, urban planning, 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

A short speech about the responsibility of architects to our changing cities and a way to achieve dignity in their practice.This is the original manuscript of Robin Boyd's suggested draft for the Governor's address at the opening of Architects Convention in Melbourne, 29.03.1965.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, foolscap, 2 pagesarchitects responsibility, governor's speech, robin boyd, manuscript

This is a manuscript associated with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Convention, "Civic Architecture, the Architect and Society" which discusses city development. Boyd argues that an Australian architectural style is growing with the contemporary generation of architects departing from international modern architectural influences from which they studied. Boyd explains how a pattern of Australian architecture can be seen through materiality and the expression of structure.Typewritten (c copy), foolscap, 4 pages (two copies)Minor handwritten edit on both copiesroyal australian institute of architects, convention, technology, australian cities, urbanism, australian architecture, international modern architecture, walkabout, robin boyd, manuscript

Excerpt labelled page 10. Boyd criticises vulgar mess in the streets and irrelevant ornament. He asks if all externalities were swept aside, which architects, faced only functional and structural challenges of a building, what shape would we like architecture to take?Typewritten, pencil edits, foolscap, 1 page. Untitled single page (10)Two handwritten pencil editsfunctionalism, ornament, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd argues that modern architecture has triggered a necessity for greater harmony between architects and engineers. Boyd describes the architectural qualities of tension structures through an analysis of several case studies including projects by Frei Otto and Boyd's own house at Walsh St. Being a relatively new concept, Boyd criticises the neglect towards smaller buildings in this structural system, and also highlights some of its shortcomings. A 2-page letter from 'Arthur' (surname unknown) at the University of Melbourne's Department of Civil Engineering provides feedback to Boyd on his analyses of the chosen case studies.Original manuscript of article published in The Architectural Review Vol.134, No.801, November 1963, pp. 324 - 334. This draft was returned with covering letter from: ‘Arthur’ (AJF) Melbourne Uni. Dept Civil Engineering. Typewritten (c copy), foolscap, 14 (+2 quarto letter) pagesMinor handwritten editsengineering, tensile structure, master-designer, bernard lafaille, zagreb french pavilion, matthew nowicki, livestock pavilion, frei otto, paul rudolph, florida house, bill irwin, kevin borland, peter mcintyre, john and phyllis murphy, yuncken freeman, sidney myer music bowl, eero saarinen, yale hockey rink, edward d. stone, brussels u.s. fair pavilion, boston arts centre, walsh street, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd asks "What sort of cities do we want?" Various alternatives were discussed at the 14th Royal Institute of Architects convention 1965. The theme of the convention was Civic Development, accompanied by a public exhibition "Man in the Street". A fairly clear definition of the ideal shape for our urban character emerged. It was accepted that congestion, dullness and ugliness would become even more of a problem. Boyd offers a bird's eye view of the nature of our cities as we move progressively outwards.Original manuscript of an article published as ‘New life for Cities. The choice – metropolitan excitement or Canberra order?' in The Australian, 10.4.1965.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 6 pagesroyal institute of architects convention 1965, australian cities, arthur odell, john overall, robin boyd, manuscript

In this article, requested by Architecture in Australia, Boyd condemns the lack of development in the shaping the identity of Australian architecture, similar to the contents of Texas Quarterly 'Architecture in Australia' Vol.5 (see D092), Boyd writes about the need for designers and architects to create a new design language rather than recycling and reminiscing on old British aesthetics despite wanting to gain international recognition.Original manuscript of an article published in Architecture in Australia, Vol.56, No.3, June 1967 pp.454-465.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, quarto, 26 pagesPencil corrections and edits in textaustralian architecture, sydney school, architecture in australia, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd's critical commentary about the choice of a non-Australian architect to build the Australian embassy in Brasilia.Original manuscript of an article published in The Australian on 20.02.1965Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 5 pagesaustralian embassy brasilia, brasilia, oscar niemeyer, henrique j mindl, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd questions the current rules of architecture, as do the young architects of the period - the idea of usefulness, firmness, delight and beauty in the visual environment. He says we will only get a more exciting architecture if we ask the question posed in the title.Typewritten pencil edits, quarto, 7 pagesReferences Morris Lapidus and an exhibition at The Architectural League of New York occurring "late last year". URL reference says it occured in 1970.usefulness, firmness, architecture's purpose, role of architecture, robin boyd, manuscript

The article argues that quality education lies in good infrastructure and architectural design. Boyd suggests that educational buildings are a potential for architects to push their imagination to provide quality spaces - as required by law1 Typewritten, pencil edits, 2 Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 5 pages. (Two copies)education, 'victoria's school-building programme', 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

Description of Canberra's development after Walter Burley Griffin's urban planning and the impact it has had on other architects.Original manuscript published in The London Magazine Vol.4, No.4, pp.78 - 82Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits to 1, quarto, 8 pages. (Two copies)canberra, walter burley griffin, national capital development commission, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd outlines reasons why architecture students and young architects are less outspoken about the quality of architectural design in comparison to older practising architects.Original manuscript published in Meanjin, Vol.17 No.78, pp. 175-178. It was reprinted in the 'Architect' (Perth) Vol.3 No.53, pp. 26-27.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 6 pagesarchitects, 'slate' magazine, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd discusses the things that influence architects to devise form, particularly the relationship between the engineer and architect. He gives a history of the Opera House and Jørn Utzon's creative process in relation to debates around functionalism and the justification for sculptural forms.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits. 2nd copy 34 q 4-6 missing, quarto, 34 pages. (Two copies)functionalism, le corbusier, ronchamp chapel, sculpture, guggenheim gallery, jørn utzon, sydney opera house, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd advocates that Canberra's proposed permanent Parliament House needs to be a vital symbol and suggests an open national competition should be used to select the architect.Original manuscript of an article published as 'Young Australia in Steel and Concrete', published in 'The Australian'.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 5 pagescanberra, parliament house, national competition, robin boyd, manuscript, national capital

Description of a Tasmanian Style of domestic architecture as developed by colonial builders and the occasional architect. Boyd admires the ingenuous nature of these buildings, describing Tasmania as a living museum.Published as ‘Tasmania – The Houses’, pp.15 - 16 in 'Priceless Heritage: Historic Buildings of Tasmania', Platypus Publications, Hobart. 1964 Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 4 pagestasmania, colonial georgian, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd bemoans the fact that Australia looks to overseas engineers, architects and other creative people to design new infrastructure projects.Original manuscript published as 'We're building monuments to the cultural cringe' in 'The Australian' on 10.10.1964.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, quarto, 4 pagesaustralian design, imported design, gladesville bridge, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses and approves of the initiative of Australian architecture students shown by their holding their own architectural convention. The convention tackled the issues of the 'House of Tomorrow' and the types of technology that that can be manipulated and used for better design. Students also invited international guests to comment and judge the exhibition.Original manuscript published as ‘Young architects show their nerve’ in 'The Australian' on 19.06.1965. Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 4 pageseric lyons, tom marshall, john blanshard, patwant singh, robin boyd, manuscript

Rough, heavily annotated notes for lecture to be given to a Brisbane audience. Boyd divides modernist architects into a Romantic camp (citing Yamasaki, I.M. Pei, Paul Rudolph, Ed Stone) and a Realist camp (citing Kenzo Tange and the New Brutalists), then proposes a third category of 'Creative Realism' and defines some criteria for this type of architecture.Speech given to students at the University of Queensland 24.6.1962Typewritten, major pencil edits and additions, foolscap, 1 folded pagesExtensive handwritten edits, notes and revisionsminoru yamasaki, i.m. pei, paul rudolph, edward stone, kenzo tange, 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

Appears to be a talk to architecture students about success and failure in architecture according to whether you are an architect ('a doer') as well as a talker and a writer, and the influence attached to all three.Talk notesHandwritten (pencil), quarto, 2 pagesHandwritten and torn second pagefrank lloyd wright, walter gropius, le corbusier, henry moore, alexander calder, albert einstein, buckminster fuller, robin boyd, manuscript

In what appear to be working notes for his commissioned book ‘New Directions in Japanese Architecture’, Boyd is sourcing journal articles (journal, page numbers and dates) covering the key recent buildings of contemporary Japanese architects.Working notes for his commissioned book ‘New Directions in Japanese Architecture’.Quarto, 1 page, double-sided page of handwritten (pencil) notes.Deletions and notes throughoutnoriaki kurokawa, kenzo tange, kiyonori kikutake, kazuo shinohara, yoshinobu ashihara, koshi kawashima, takeo sato, daiichi kobo, sachio otani, masato otaka, arata isozaki, k. maekawa, tatsuhiko nakajima, hiroshi oe, fumihiko maki, junichiro ishikawa, hiroyuki iwamoto, murano & mori, junzo sakakura, robin boyd

Boyd questions the public's and architect's architectural taste - especially developing a style that would define Australian Architecture. He addresses the lack of commissioning of Modern Architects while Modern Architecture became the main preference in architecture 30 years prior to the written text. Frustrations towards people selecting styles that are 'familiar' rather than trying to be 'avant-garde'. Otherwise, Boyd challenges architects looking towards American Architecture as precedents.This appears to be a unpublished lecture. It is marked up for presentation with slides (indicates LIGHTS) when delivering a speech.Handwritten (pencil), quarto, 15 (page numbers on centre top up to 16, page 10 missing) pagesSpots of coffee stainsaustralian school, architecture, american embassy in new delhi, walter richmond butler, robin boyd, manuscript

A summary of the tension and treatment between those who support or are against the Sydney Opera House. Names of international architects who were in support of Utzon were mentioned. Highlights the 'tall poppy syndrome' among the conservative architects and politicians, as well as accusations towards RAIA for not supporting Utzon.Typewritten, pencil edits, foolscap, 2 pagesPencil editsjorn utzon, sydney opera house, sydney opera house project, paul rudolph, sigfried giedion, louis kahn, raia, neville gruzman, robin boyd, manuscript

Robin Boyd most likely saw Solstar at Asher Bilu's exhibition at South Yarra Gallery in September 1968. In November 1968, Robin Boyd arranged for the loan of this painting from South Yarra Gallery to Australian Pavilion at Expo '70 in Osaka, where Boyd was appointed Exhibit Architect. It hung in the bedroom over a bed, containing a life-size cut-out figure by Bruce Petty, in the Model House Interior exhibit on modern living in the Space Tube. On its return from Expo, the painting was in transit at the Boyd's home in Walsh Street and they liked it so much that they decided to buy it. Solstar originally hung on the wall at the end of the galley kitchen. The artwork at the Boyd's home in Walsh St has been moved several times over the years. Solstar now hangs above the dining table, but at the time of Solstar's acquisition, the Boyds hung the painting "Winter Triumphant" (1920) by Penleigh Boyd, Robin Boyd’s father, above the dining table. In early 2021, Asher and Luba Bilu visited Walsh St to view Solstar again. Asher was extremely happy with how the painting looked and its condition 53 years after painting it. He requested it be hung a little higher and he returned in April to make some minor restorations to remove scratches. Silver mixed media with large black circular area in the central lower half. On reverse has the title: Solstar/A. Bilu/Arrow showing which way up. Unsigned on the front.asher bilu, penleigh boyd, expo 70, osaka, robin boyd, south yarra gallery, walsh st artwork, ohm2022, ohm2022_13

This oil sketch by Donald Laycock is for "Terra Australis", a large (20' X 8') outback desert scene commissioned by Robin Boyd for the Australian Pavilion at Expo 1970. Robin Boyd was the Exhibit Architect of the Australian Pavilions at Expo '70 in Osaka and Expo '67 in Montreal. It is not known what happened to "Terra Australis" after Expo '70.Red toned abstract composition."DL 69" in bottom right corner. Sketch for Terra Australis Exhibition '70" written on canvas around the frame on the rear.donald laycock, expo 70, osaka, robin boyd, walsh st artwork, ohm2022, ohm2022_32