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

Handwritten draft for a speech, date uncertain. Considers the question of Australian identity: whether it exists, what can be done to foster it in the arts, design and culture as a whole. Boyd argues that the only route to a distinctive Australian identity is to develop and foster new ideas rather than taking cultural cues Britain or America.Handwritten, quarto, 3 pagessydney opera house, australian identity, australian culture, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses how the architect has broadened the visual perception of environment - from loud and gimmicky (as copied from America) to acceptance and recognition of how to incorporate environmental design into architectural plans.Original manuscript a lecture given at a seminar on the environment conducted in July 1970 by the Institute of Business Administration and the Victorian Employers Federation. The lecture was condensed into two articles published in "The Age" as 'Spoilers of our environment'. The manuscript appears to be Part 1 titled 'Legal vandalism', published in "The Age" on 09.07,1970. Part 2 was titled ' The more optimistic view of the future', published in "The Age" on 10.07.1970 as 'Digger-cult curse'. Typewritten, quarto, 15 pagesenvironment, visual environment, architect, australia, visual pollution, urban ugliness, robin boyd, manuscript

Outlines positive actions undertaken by local councils in Victoria.Typewritten, quarto, 6 pageslocal councils, preservation, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the Australian television program Whiplash and how the use of guns is not as necessary as in the American television industry. Technique, poetry and drama appear to be the basis for the Australian film industry.Handwritten, quarto, 7 pagesWritten on scrap paper at Page 5.whiplash, australian film industry, australian television industry, robin boyd, manuscript

Reviews the Australian Industry Fair at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. While some items on display are fussy and ornamental, others are beautiful, sensible and useful. Boyd reflects on dichotomy of old and new.Original manuscript of an article published as 'Australian Made - good and bad' in "The Australian", 17.03.1965. d Typewritten, pencil edits, quarto, 5 pagesaustralian-made, victorian chamber of manufacturers, australian industries fair, robin boyd, manuscript

A look at Melbourne within a two month span: before and after and opposing views. Discusses Melbourne's good and poor buildings, planning, arts, aesthetics etc. Melbourne does however maintain an image and individuality when compared with other cities.Original manuscript of an article published as ‘Melbourne: The symbol of Australia’s split personality’in "The Australian", 01.09.1964. Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, quarto, 4 pagesmelbourne, urban character, city, architecture, buildings, australian image, australian culture, robin boyd, manuscript

A critique of the adaption of American culture in Australian popular culture, where only the worst or silliest things from the US are adopted. Boyd suggests the colonial, unambitious and rigid brand of masculinity that characterises the "Aussie myth" hinders the development of an imaginative and creative social climate that manifests in a superficial appropriation of American culture. Boyd is not critical of US culture itself, in fact he has a great appreciation of US culture. He suggests that the Australian brand of Americanisation is only a superficial commercial exploitation of the American dream. It concludes with Boyd rallying for the development of a unique Australian originality with increasing connections to Asia.Typewritten, pencil edits (pages 22a and 22b added after page 22), quarto, 24 pagesamericanisation, american culture, australian culture, masculinity, cultural myths, australian values, social attitudes, ussr, asia, california, sidney nolan, alan moorehead, patrick white, donald horne, john anderson, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses American technological advancement and American tendency to look forward; Australia is 15 years behind and should be more forward looking; Australian private affluence and public poverty, motor cars, expressways and roads. America is described as looking to a future beyond cars; Boyd proposes that Australia skips expressway building. Discusses tourism, the Australian accent, imagining 2000AD, Archigram's Plug-In City, anti-city, integrate bush into the city - the gumtree aesthetic.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 29 pages. (Two copies plus one incomplete version with 13p)Incomplete one contains pencil editsfuture, america, henry ford, automobiles, road development, destruction of old buildings, destruction of nature, tourism, great barrier reef, australian accent, globalisation, isolationism, canada, new zealand, archigram, athens, los angeles, suburbia, heidelberg school, diggers, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the work, design techniques and career of first recipient of the Essington Lewis Award (for Industrial Design) - Frederick Ward. Ward's work introduced all the essential principles of the best Australian furniture: functional form; use of Australian materials; respect for the nature of all materials; suspicion of ornament and a sense of purposeful proportions.Review of Fred Ward’s Award by the Industrial Design Council.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 2 pagesfrederick ward, industrial design, australian furniture, function, form, australian materials, essington lewis award, robin boyd, manuscript

An incomplete article which discusses what is total design and how there is no agreement; how technology leads architecture and significance of appearances; the monumental tradition of older architects' approach, and, in opposition, Pop architecture, which puts visual fun into cities. Boyd suggests that what is required is require order, variety and deliberate taste, not sterility.Preview of 1972 RAIA ConventionTypewritten (one with pencil edits) & c copy. Incomplete one has pencil and pen edits, quarto, Two 2p, one pp 4-7 pages.total design, royal australian institute of architects, raia national convention 1972, cities, monumental tradition, pop architecture, taste, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses Australia Square in Sydney; its plan, structure, materials and artworks (tapestries and sculptures by Le Corbusier, Vasarely and Calder).Original manuscript of an article published as 'Australia Square: Circle in the Square' in "Architectural Forum", Vol. 130, No.3, April 1969, pp.26 - 35.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 4 pagesaustralia square, sydney, harry seidler, plaza, pier luigi nervi, tapestry, sculpture, le corbusier, vasarely, calder, robin boyd, manuscript

Book review of Australian Council of National Trusts, 'Historic Homesteads of Australia' (Historic Buildings of Australia Vol. 1), Cassell, Melbourne, 1969. A collection of photographs and essays by different authors on Australian homesteads. Boyd describes development and key features of Australian homestead design.Original manuscript of an article published as 'Hinterland heritage' in "The Age", 11.10.1969.Typewritten, quarto, 3 pagesaustralian homesteads, colonial heritage, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses 'Domus' (an Italian architecture and design magazine) as visually exciting and trend starter; compares recent international opinions on Australian architecture and culture (Charles Eames on Sydney Opera House, J. M. Richards on Australian architecture as primitive and vulgar). Boyd indicates international opinions of Australian architecture as important because many Australian buildings are being designed by overseas architects; argues for greater promotion of Australian architecture and architects.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 5 pagesLast page: no image attached but this inscription "caption to illustration"; appears that Boyd wanted image of St James Building, AMP Tower and Shell House by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill attached.domus, sydney opera house, charles eames, jm richards, australian culture, globalisation, robin boyd, manuscript

Boyd proposes to apply art criticism techniques to architecture; claims architectural criticism in Australia is "all but dead" because of the 'schizophrenic nature of architecture" (i.e. building a socio-economic object as well as art). Boyd compares Kevin Borland's design of The Legend restaurant (Lonsdale St) with a recently designed residential apartment block (15 Collins St); claims that both are schizophrenic but The Legend is masterfully so whereas the apartments are aesthetically lacking.Original manuscript of an article published as ‘The schizophrenic style’ in "The Sunday Australian", 14.3.1971Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 11 pagesTop of page 1 handwritten where and when published. The last page credits photographer Mark Strizic, so images may have been attached.architectural criticism, art criticism, melbourne architecture, the legend restaurant, lonsdale st, leonard french, legend milk bar, tivoli theatre, clement meadmore, kevin borland, colonial architecture, 15 collins st, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses pragmatic buildings in contrast to the architecture of dreamers, experimenters and idealists through a review of Peter Cook's book "Experimental Architecture".Original manuscript of an article published as 'Utopians versus the squares' in "The Sunday Australian", 1971.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 9 pagespeter cook, archigram, experimental architecture, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses the exploitation of architecture in commercial signage; the use of architecture as signage can prove disturbing and a threat to curating an architectural style; argument reads like a reflection on Scott Brown and Venturi's Duck and the Decorated Shed.This is the original manuscript of a presentation to Victorian Employers Federation Franchising Seminar. Discussion of Fishbowl, 11.3.1971. It includes notes for slides.Typewritten. Major pencil and pen edits and additions (in one copy), quarto, 7 pages. (Two copies)One copy with annotations in pen and pencilfranchises, franchise buildings, advertising architecture, signage, fishbowl, colonel sanders, robin boyd, manuscript

Discusses how Australian cities can be improved economically, environmentally and aesthetically; stresses good planning, accessibility, affordability. Refers to a chapter by Boyd.Typewritten (c copy) some edits, quarto, 26 pagesaustralian cities, planning, accessibility, affordability, ownership, free contract, developers, robin boyd, manuscript

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