mar-apr 2012 UTS BUILDING 1 Michael Dysart sets the record straight CONCRETE POETRY Iconic and award-winning buildings NEW BRUTALSIM The legacy of the Government Architect’s Branch NETWORK EVENTS Autumn calendar Brutalism: a heritage issue Once thought by many to be too ugy to love, Brutalist buildings are a potent symbol of their time. 7. Editor Peter Salhani [email protected] Editorial Committee Chair Contents Joe Agius [email protected] Art direction and design President’s message Jamie Carroll and Ersen Sen 02 leadinghand.com.au Copy Editor Editorial Monique Pasilow 03 Managing Editor Roslyn Irons News in brief from around the NSW Chapter Advertising 04 [email protected] Subscriptions (annual) Network events: Autumn calendar Six issues $60, students $40 06 [email protected] Editorial & advertising office On the cover Goldstein Hall and the Surry Hills Police Centre Tusculum, 3 Manning Street The Sydney Masonic Centre, a fine 07 Anne Higham Potts Point NSW 2011 example of Brutalism. Michael Bogle (02) 9246 4055 discusses the origins of Brutalism on ISSN 0813-748X page 10. Photo: Max Dupain Beauty of the beast Michael Bogle Published six times a year, 10 Architecture Bulletin is the journal of 16. the Australian Institute of Architects, Concrete poetry: award-winning buildings 60s-80s NSW Chapter (ACN 000 023 012). Continuously published since 1944. 12 Noni Boyd, Glenn Harper Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed New Brutalism and the legacy of the in articles and letters published in 14 Government Architect’s Branch Peter Mould Architecture Bulletin are the personal views and opinions of the authors of these writings and do not necessarily UTS Building 1: In the architect’s own words represent the views and opinions of 16 Michael Dysart the Institute and its officers. Material contained in this publication is general comment and is not intended as advice Darling Harbour Bicentennial on any particular matter. No reader 19 Redevelopment Project Noni Boyd should act or fail to act on the basis of any material herein. Readers should consult professional advisers. The The Heritage Committee reports on 2011 Australian Institute of Architects NSW 22 Chapter, its officers, editor, editorial committee and authors expressly disclaim all liability to any persons Interiors under threat: the Hillam House in respect of acts or omissions by any 23 gets a reprieve for its Paul Kafka furniture such person in reliance on any of the contents of this publication. Patrons Book review: Encyclopedia of Australian Print and paper 24 Architecture Peter Tonkin Printed by Rostone Print using Architecture Bulletin thanks soy-based vegetable inks on FSC mixed source certified paper, its Patrons for their support manufactured to ISO 14 001 environmental accreditation using Gold Patron 14. elemental chlorine-free (ECF) pulps. Hassell Plates and paper offcuts from the printing process are recycled. Silver Patrons Bates Smart Cox Architecture Group GSA Bronze Patrons fjmt (Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp) Lend Lease Design Tanner Architects Supporter Buzacott Architects Technical Sponsor Architectural Window Systems Architecture Bulletin March / April 2012 1 the most valued and tangible aspects of An Expanded Patrons Program including postwar items, listing a wide range exemplified by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright; Institute membership. editorial of building types: tube stations, public housing and the architecture of Asia, particularly Japan, Over recent years, there has been much The Design Culture Committee has also and banks, including Richard Rogers’s Lloyd’s which was seen to be human, accessible and talk informally among members about taking been considering an initiative proposed by A common thread can be traced through the Bank in London. The listings are not restricted sophisticated.” the publication online. Recognising that some our Chapter Manager Roslyn Irons. For some features in this heritage issue of Architecture to so-called iconic buildings. Prototypes or Why, then, are these award-winning people prefer print communication and others years there has been a Patrons Program to Bulletin, and that is the lack of statutory early examples of new housing forms have also buildings now being demolished, painted or digital, Architecture Bulletin editor Peter support Architecture Bulletin. We’re convinced protection in New South Wales for postwar been identified and listed. Similarly, in New wallpapered beyond recognition? In the past, Salhani has suggested a cost-effective there are some significant opportunities for architect-designed buildings and the designed Zealand, iconic postwar buildings such as the institutional buildings that were too small but , evolution from the current print-only model, the Institute to expand a Patrons Program landscapes within which they often sit. Futuna Chapel (pictured) in Karori—which still sound and serviceable were given to another president s to a combined print and digital model that to also promote and enhance the culture There are currently a number of award- was awarded the New Zealand Institute of user. The National Art School in Darlinghurst, would expand its content and make it more of architecture in this state. winning modern buildings under threat of Architects 25 Year Award—have been listed as for example, had a number of prior incarnations: message immediate, relevant and accessible. An expanded program might allow substantial alteration or demolition. Since heritage items, receiving statutory protection a convict stockade, a jail and a prisoner-of-war Welcome to the new year, I hope everyone had The idea is to make the print edition a the Chapter to raise the profile of November 2011, the Institute’s Heritage under the relevant district plan. camp. Until relatively recently, public buildings a chance to rest over the holiday break. The more substantial quarterly publication (rather architecture in New South Wales by: Committee (NSW Chapter) has been informed Of all New South Wales buildings to have were continually added to in order to cater for NSW Chapter and Chapter Council is looking than bimonthly), possibly with a stronger • Establishing an alumni alliance of of potential demolitions of a Harry Seidler- received the Institute’s Enduring Architecture their expanding programs, as can be seen with forward to a full 2012. Motivated by the desire pictorial focus, and, concurrently, to run an esteemed New South Wales Fellows designed house at Penrith and a Glenn Award over the past decade, only four have any the Australian Museum, the State Library of to constantly find new ways to improve our online Architecture Bulletin blog for articles, and Life Fellows to acknowledge their Murcutt-designed house in Terrey Hills. In statutory protection: three public buildings New South Wales, the Art Gallery of NSW and service to members and the profession, I’d news and current events, including T@T. projects’ valuable contribution to the addition, part of Goldstein Hall, a Sulman (including the Sydney Opera House) and one the Sydney Town Hall. like to share some of the new proposals being The blog would link to the Chapter built environment; Award-winning university hall and residence Glenn Murcutt house. Even Darling Harbour, a When did large-scale public buildings considered and implemented at the moment. website but adopt its own distinct identity, • Creating a comprehensive knowledge complex designed by the NSW Government precinct redeveloped as a bicentennial project, suddenly become disposable? What will the just as Architecture Bulletin currently does. base of information about New South Architect’s Branch in 1964, is in the process is now being master planned once again. What New South Wales postwar architectural legacy Tuesdays @ Tusculum As well as offering members more immediate Wales architecture, projects and of being demolished as we go to print. will happen to the award-winning structures on be if we continue this trend of demolishing updates, it would allow members to respond buildings; and The cry has been ‘it is not a heritage item’, this site once their functions are superseded? buildings (particularly brutalist buildings) for The Tuesday Night Talks series has been a directly to articles online, making feedback • Lifting the profile of the profession by but has the process been followed to fully assess During the 1960s, the buildings designed by institutional or corporate rebranding purposes, prominent fixture on the Chapter calendar more direct. Longer term, the plan would positioning architecture at the forefront its significance? Heritage listing is currently the the NSW Government Architect’s Branch were or because some simply dislike their aesthetics? for many years. The quality and range of talks, be to expand the blog as a resource space. of design and culture in New South Wales. mechanism by which buildings are protected considered to be among the best architecture Recent demolitions tend to be justified with over the past few years in particular, has been Together with Editorial Committee The new Patrons Program would fund at a local, state or national level. Many recent in the country. Many of these fall into the arguments that the replacement building will be outstanding, thanks to a small and dedicated Chair, Joe Agius, and with the support of the development of a fully searchable award-winning buildings and their landscape category of Brutalism, the focus of this issue sustainable. But what is the environmental cost team