The Griffins, Robin Boyd and Edmond and Corrigan: Different Architectural Trajectories - Term Paper Example

The Griffins, Robin Boyd and Edmond & Corrigan different architectural trajectories [Name] [Course] [Date] Introduction Australian architecture was previously influenced by British designs as a result of the fact that most of the continent was British colony. The unique climate in Australia and culture has however influenced the development of a new Australian architecture. The change in the architecture in Australia was also as a result of the influence by the urban designs from America. The development in the materials for architecture and in industries in the United States also influenced Australia to borrow from their architectural designs. The common historical background of the two countries having been colonies of Britain was also an incentive towards developing an Australian Architecture. America had so far been able to adopt an American architecture and had shifted from the British designs and hence this motivated the Australians to develop their own architecture1. The fact that Australia became a multicultural society also influenced this change in architecture. This change in architecture has led to the creation of iconic buildings like the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne and Sydney Opera House which have received international recognition. There were prominent architects from other countries that settled in Australia and helped to bring a new approach to architecture in Australia. The Griffins, for example, moved to Australia from the US and contributed heavily to the development of an Australian architecture. The need to create buildings and structures that take in to account the Australian climate has led to the development of a modern architectural design. Architects, for example Griffins, Robin Boyd and Edmond & Corrigan, have come up with designs are influenced by this aspect as well as the historical background and culture of Australia and its people. The creation of an Australian architecture was characterized by the shift from the tradition of having buildings made of stone. This was replaced by the construction of buildings that could be made of steel and glass which provided new opportunities for lighting in the houses and the creation of more space. This helped to reduce the rate of consumption of energy in households and also reduced the consumption of water in the construction of buildings. Differences in architectural approaches Though there is a common Australian architecture as discussed above, there are differences that exist in the architectural designs of the prominent architects in Australia and specifically the Griffins, Robin Boyd and Edmond and Corrigan. The architectural works of the Griffins embrace a unique appreciation of concrete technology. An analysis of one of the Griffins works, the Roman Catholic Newman College reveals that the architects utilized a uniquely reinforced concrete ribbed dome in constructing a meeting and dining hall2. Edmond and Corrigan architectural works on the other hand reflect a unique appreciation of art and culture. Their works embrace the architectural designs and culture of Australia while at the same time using art to bring out unique architectural designs. This can be seen in the firm’s work for example the Athan House and the RMIT’s Building 8. Robin Boyd was on the other hand appreciative of the natural landscape of Australia. In his works Boyd always considered the impact of the house or his architectural works on the surroundings. Through his works he pushed for architectural works that are environmentally sensitive and are specific to the locality. The architectural works by Boyd, especially in the residential sphere, were guided by the culture and the climate of Australia as well as utilizing construction technology to ensure high quality designs. The Griffins The Griffins joined the Australian architectural industry through the Canberra competition. This competition was an international competition to design a new Federal capital city for Australia. This was after Australia acquired nationhood in 1901. Walter Burley Griffin of Chicago emerged as the winner of the competition out of the 137 entries that had been made. The minister in charge of the competition however stated that the design for the construction of the capital city would not be based on one design despite the fact that Griffin’s design was the best. The capital city was to be constructed using three different designs as compared to using one design. As a result Griffins came to Australia to discuss more about the design as well as amending the design to fit the site of the proposed capital city. He was later to be appointed as the Federal Capital Director of Design and Construction. The Canberra architectural design by Walter Burley Griffin Image courtesy of: McGregor et al. The life and work of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. 2014. The Griffins, that is Walter Griffin and his wife, set up a firm in Australia as a result of the popularity gained as a result of the winning design of the Canberra competition. Walter Burley Griffin was always fascinated by concrete technology even while in school. As a result he incorporated this technology in to his work while at the same time maintaining the Australian architecture which was based on the climatic conditions in Australia. This technology can be seen well incorporated in to the Griffins’ architectural work of the Roman Catholic Newman College which was inspired by French engineering. The building was constructed using reinforced concrete and also incorporated the system of interlocking concrete tile blocks. The Griffins generally introduced a new approach to architecture in Australia which created a new perspective in to the planning and construction. In their designs they emphasized on the fact that the design of the house should not dominate the landscape of the site of the house but rather be incorporated in to it. This was a shift from the traditional design of architecture in Australia especially as emphasized by Robin Boyd. Their perspective to architecture was made more unique by the adoption of new technology in design and construction. The reason for the choice of reinforced concrete was that the griffins considered it as a new medium for construction that saved on cost and was durable. In the construction of the Newman College, the use of the reinforced concrete in the construction of the ribbed dome was a unique feature in the architectural design of the griffins. The Griffins borrowed heavily from the design by Paul Cottancin, an engineer in Paris, who had made great progress in dealing with reinforced concrete. The Griffins therefore adapted the system to construct vaults that were reinforced with concrete in the dome which was in the dining hall of the Newman College3. Images of the Newman College designed by the Griffins Image courtesy of: McGregor et al. The life and work of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. 2014. The use of the reinforced concrete in the construction of the Newman College led to the Griffins obtaining patents for the new system. The new system for concrete building block which was referred to as ‘Knitlock’ was introduced in Australia as an invention by the Griffins. This new system was incorporated in to the construction of certain building s in Melbourne and was later used to construct the Griffins own house. The new system of construction which was known as knitlock made it possible for the builder of a house to make all the building materials at the construction site. This meant that the bricks for the construction of the building would be made at the site of the construction. This presented a new opportunity and experiences in the construction and the architecture industry. Robin Boyd Robin Boyd was both an architect and a writer who wrote several books and articles in regard to architecture. Boyd utilized his writing to challenge the architects in Australia to adopt an architectural style that reflected the landscape in Australia for example, The Australian Ugliness. He was based in Melbourne where he designed many houses most of them residential. Boyd was mostly concerned with domestic architecture and was more involved in the construction of residential houses. Boyd put emphasis of the use of landscape in the construction of houses in an attempt to introduce the concept of modernism in architecture in Australia. Robin Boyd was environmentally sensitive in his work and ensured that the designs and construction of houses was influenced by the climate in Australia. He was involved in the construction of colleges and churches as well as houses for the families with lower income in Australia. The emphasis of his architectural work was to provide designs for houses that were effectively suited for Australia’s culture and climate as well as providing and applying construction technology to ensure high quality residential houses. The two houses that signify the contribution of Robin Boyd to architecture in Australia are the Troedel House and the Marsh Street House, Boyd’s family home. A common feature of these houses is the use of the pergola, two-layer timber, which increased the space in the houses making them more spacious and providing more light in to the house from the outside. The use of the pergola provided shade against the hot summer while at the same time allowing lower rays to penetrate and provide heat in to the house. The design of these houses was such that it complemented the surroundings of the house. The houses would be constructed in a way that fitted in to the landscape of the construction site or the surrounding areas4. The construction of his family home was of great architectural and historical significance in Victoria where it was situated. The house was an application of the structure-functional architectural style by Boyd. The construction involved the use of materials in an inventiful way and enabled the use of built-in furniture. In the application of the design in the construction of the house, Boyd introduced a modern architectural style to Australia. This was in support of his push for the abandoning of the traditional architectural styles based on the British culture and in its place the adoption of a unique Australian architecture. Edmond and Corrigan Edmond and Corrigan is an established architectural practice where the architects have also largely contributed to the development in architecture in Australia. The most significant aspect of the architectural work of Edmund and Corrigan is the utilization of art in the buildings. On top of the application of unique designs in to construction works, Edmund and Corrigan use art to give their designs a unique touch. This distinguishes their work from the architectural works of the other architects5. The Ringwood Library Edmond and Corrigan designed the Ringwood Library in Melbourne. The conspicuous aspect of this library is the use of colors and different shapes of the roof in the interior parts of the library. The purpose for the use of various colors and roof shapes was to make the library easily distinguishable from the surrounding areas. The use of artistic skills in the construction and design of the library was to make it a unique building. The designs of the library are similar to the other works by Edmond and Corrigan for example, the RMIT Building 8. The architects incorporate the post-modern architecture and also the Australian architecture. The building has coloured glass curtain on the main window of the library. The purpose of this glass curtain is to act as a shield from the intense heat in Australia. This aspect in the construction of the library reflects the application of the Australian architecture where the architects utilize the architectural designs to respond to the climate in Australia. The other windows of the library are lower to enhance solar protection. The library also has small gardens which further provide shade and protects from the intense heat in Australia. Images of the Ringwood Library designed by Edmond and Corrigan showing the interior of the library as well as the windows to offer protection from the rays of the sun Image courtesy of: Hamann et al. Cities of hope: Australian architecture and design by Edmond and Corrigan. 1993. The RMIT Building 8 The RMIT Building 8 is one of the landmark buildings designed by Edmond and Corrigan. The building reflects the professional life of Peter Corrigan as an active theatre designer through the use of colors and artistic elements in the design and construction of the building. As a result of the design of the building, Edmond and Corrigan were awarded the Victorian Architecture medal as well as the RAIA National Award which is mainly for public buildings. The building is considered as one that clearly reflects the character and culture in Melbourne. The construction of the building was meant to give a different aspect from the city as well as providing an identity for the school. There is also the distinct feature in the construction of the building which is meant to reflect the culture and the history of Melbourne. The purpose for the construction was just not meant to be for the school but also to provide an identity to the surrounding city, that is, Melbourne. In designing the building, the architects had to look at the character of Melbourne and its people and be able to come up with a building that reflects the same. This coupled with the unique designs of Edmond and Corrigan gave the biding a unique appearance and portrayed the different designs by the architects. Image of RMIT Building 8 designed by Edmond and Corrigan Image courtesy of: Hamann et al. Cities of hope: Australian architecture and design by Edmond and Corrigan. 1993. The three different architectural approaches The Griffins, Robin Boyd and Edmond and Corrigan architectural styles are similar in that they portray a unique Australian style. The different architectural styles employed by these architects reflect the history, culture and the climate of Australia and its people. However, despite the fact that they reflect an Australian architecture, the architects differ on the approach. The Griffins utilize the style of applying concrete technology in their designs that gives them a unique style and approach to Australian architecture. In the use of concrete technology, the Griffins however, use designs such that the construction of the house fits well in to the landscape or the environment surrounding the construction. This means that despite the use of reinforced bricks in their architectural style, such style is consistent with the culture and the history of the environment6. The approach by the Griffins differs a lot from that of Robin Boyd. Boyd emphasizes on modernism and that construction should be reflective of the environment. In the designs and the constructions by Boyd, he ensures that the uniqueness of the design is in its ability to merge and reflect the surroundings. The approach by Boyd does not emphasize on so much use of technology especially one that does nor resonate with the Australian culture. His emphasis is mainly to let the landscape of the location of the construction guide the design in such a way that it reflects the climate of the area. Edmond and Corrigan on the other hand also have a different approach all together. In their designs they incorporate construction technology and reinforce it with the use of art in their designs. This will involve the use of various colors and styles to give the building or house a unique look. The use of art is however reflective of the surrounding areas of the house or building. This is evident in the construction of the RMIT Building 8 which has become an identity of the city of Melbourne. As is evident in the architectural works of these architects, each employs a different perspective with the aim of achieving the final objective which is to ensure that the architectural work reflects the history and the climate in Australia. The Griffins borrow heavily from the designs of other architects outside of Australia and more so form America. However, they had to twist such styles to suit the Australian architecture and to be reflective of the climate and history in Australia. Boyd on the other hand centers on having architectural styles that are Australian and that are reflective of the surroundings. Boyd argues against having an architecture that is borrowed and insists on having a unique architecture. This is later achieved and this is as a result of the contributions made through his writings and in his architectural works. Bibliography Boyd, Robin. The Australian Ugliness. Text Publishing, 2010. Hamann, Conrad, Michael Anderson, and Winsome Callister. Cities of hope: Australian architecture and design by Edmond and Corrigan, 1962-1992. Oxford University Press, USA, 1993. Griffin, Marion Mahony, and Walter Burley Griffin. Beyond Architecture: Marion Mahony and Walter Burley Griffin: America, Australia, India. University of Illinois Press, 1998. Reps, John William. Canberra 1912: Plans and planners of the Australian capital competition. Melbourne University Press, 1997. Van Den Berghe, Johan. "Procuring Innovative Architecture." status: published (2012). Jackson, Davina, and Chris Johnson. Australian architecture now. Gingko PressInc, 2000. Harrison, Peter, and Robert Freestone. Walter Burley Griffin, landscape architect. AusInfo, 1995. Wood, Debora, ed. Marion Mahony Griffin: Drawing the Form of Nature. Mary & Leigh Block Gallery, 2005. McCartney, Karen. 70/80/90 Iconic Australian Houses: Three decades of domestic architecture. Allen & Unwin, 2014. McGregor, Alasdair. Grand Obsessions: The Life and Work of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Penguin Group Australia, 2014. Read More