Robin Boyd Foundation - 2009 and Beyond

The Save Boyd House Blog was established in response to the pending sale of the Robin Boyd House II and the apparent collapse of the Robin Boyd Foundation (RBF). We reported the blow-by-blow developments of the pending sale, the postponements of the sale, and rallied together like minded people who, in turn, made telephone calls, wrote letters, arranged introductions and, in short, went on the record as individuals who didn’t want to see such a significant house lost to the general public. Some of these people remain involved in the Foundation to this day and continue their commitment to the discussion of design and its role in the Australian community.

The first posting on this blog was on Saturday, 23rd June, 2007. Nearly two years later I am happy to be officially wrapping this forum up. Although I have not always understood the workings of the RBF Board, I am very pleased to see that they have secured ongoing funding arrangements that ensure the Foundation can continue its work, and that the house itself as the home for that Foundation. It's commendable stuff. They have really come through with the goods.

I am also very excited about being involved in the first event in the 2009 Public Open Day program: Robin Boyd: by example, by influence, on Sunday 3rd May. The day is a walking tour of Studley Park in Kew, Melbourne, and includes five houses. Two of these homes were designed by Boyd. The other three can be seen as examples that, if not directly influenced by Boyd’s ideas, share a similar design territory.

This type of event offers the general public a real opportunity to personally experience a series of beautiful, and occasionally challenging, architectural projects. It also offers members of the general public the opportunity to be exposed to a series of design ideas and philosophies bound up in these houses.

Robin Boyd was committed to promoting design issues in the community. It’s exciting that the RBF is kicking off it’s renewed program with such an event. It’s a very good note to continue proceedings on.

The RBF website has all of the details, as well as the booking form (bookings are essential).

For more information please click here.

Boyd House II Stars in Upcoming Shag Show

The Outré Gallery in Melbourne got in touch to let us know that two paintings, inspired by the Boyd House II, are being exhibited with many others late this month (Perth) and next month (April) in Melbourne and Sydney. American artist Josh Agle (a.k.a. Shag) has painted these works specifically for the exhibition and has previously painted a number of works inspired by Australian architecture. Outré Gallery tell me they have held exhibitions and events in conjunction with the Sydney Opera House and Rose Seidler House/ Historic Houses Trust of NSW (they are so onto it in Sydney. As mentioned below, we could learn a lot from the NSW Government's approach to C20th heritage. There’s still time…!).

There’s no doubt the works celebrate Boyd’s second home – I would recognise that suspended roof, floating living room, glazed wall courtyard and those Featherston chairs anywhere. I suppose this affirms the iconic place of this property in Australian popular culture (and, in my books, that can only be a good thing).

For more information on dates and the openings click here or email Outré at info@outregallery.com .

Meanwhile, in the USA: A Landmark Modernist House Heads to Auction

It is interesting to observe how other countries manage and respond to the sale of significant Modernist houses. This New York Times article makes several interesting comments and observations about the sale of Richard Neutra's Kaufmann House (1946), including reference to a trend that purchasers are viewing the acquisition of such properties in the same light that they view the purchase of art. Accordingly, the house is being sold through the world's leading art business, Christie's, in New York. The article also mentions that some American architectural historians view the sale to private hands, as opposed to the (North American) National Trust for Historic Preservation as a loss to the general public (sound familiar?). Unlike our own National Trust, the Americans have have put their money where their mouth is and value Modernism: they have already acquired Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House (1945-51).

Speaking of acquisitions, if you are in the market for a beautiful slice of Victorian Modernist history, check out McGlashan and Everist's Guss House, now up for sale, in Kew.

What is the Future of the Robin Boyd Foundation?

Discussions between several parties involved in the future of the Foundation, and the house, are underway. I hope to have something positive to report in the very near future.

The house's future is by no means secure, however, and if you would like to know more, or can help us in any way, please email nicdowse AT gmail.com

The Age Article, 22/09/07

Lazarus with a Double Bypass

The house is off the market again. We thank the State Architect's Office and the architects’ registration board for their support and sincerely hope that the Boyd Foundation makes the most of the six-month reprieve.

'The Age' Article, 12/09/07

Story courtesy of 'The Age'. View the original article here:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/boyd-house-goes-back-on-market/2007/09/11/1189276720823.html

It’s Déjà Vu with Boyd II

No – this is not a repeat or misprint – the house is for sale.

AGAIN.

What happened? Why the surprise? We are staggered. We are on the phone. We are shaking our heads in disbelief.

To see the listing click on the heading above or go to:

http://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyDetails.aspx?adid=2006664920

'The Age' Article, 21/07/07

Story courtesy of 'The Age'. View the original article here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/boyd-house-given-late-auction-reprieve/2007/07/20/1184560043742.html

STOP PRESS. Auction Postponed! More Soon!

Courtesy of Bennison Mackinnon Carmichael. View the original brochure at http://www.benmac.com.au/cgi-bin/view.pl?OID=965720

Please read the comments under each posting. You can also click this title and add your comment here.

Letter to the Patron of the Robin Boyd Foundation, the Hon E.G. Whitlam, AC QC

Canberrahouse.com Show Their Support

Many thanks to canberrahouse.com for running the story. Canberrahouse.com is an excellent and informed introduction to Canberra's rich C20th architecture. A must see for fans of Boyd, Seidler, Grounds, Taglietti and other Modern masters (follow link top right).

Manning Clark House Letters to the Premier and Planning Minister

The Manning Clark House, in Canberra, was designed by Robin Boyd in 1952. The house is now home to a cultural organisation (also named The Manning Clark House) that is committed to providing its grounds as a congenial setting for study, scholarship, seminars, lectures, performances, exhibitions, book launches and gatherings. We congratulate The Manning Clark House for showing Melbourne how, with a little conviction and support, a Boyd property can be kept in the public realm and contribute to educational programs for local communities.

'Arts Hub' Feature on Boyd II.

Many thanks to Arts Hub for their support.
Arts Hub subscribers can view the original article here: http://www.artshub.com.au

'The Age' Article, 3/7/07

Story courtesy of 'The Age'. View the original article here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/auctioning-off-boyds-cultural-legacy/2007/07/02/1183351119479.html?page=2#

Read and post comments here. If you don't have a gmail account, please email your letter or message to nicdowse@gmail.com and I will post it for you.

Real Estate Agent's Brochure

Courtesy of Bennison Mackinnon Carmichael www.bennmac.com.au

'The Age' Article, 26/6/07

Story courtesy of 'The Age'. View the original article here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/victorians-urged-to-act-as-house-that-boyd-made-slips-from-publichands/2007/06/25/1182623823218.html#

FAQs

What can I do?

Leave a comment or canvass others who might be interested in getting involved (if you don't have a gmail account we can post your comments for you). Let us know if you're interested in being part of a consortium to buy the property and keep the Foundation running. Make a donation to the Boyd Foundation. Send enquiries to nicdowse@gmail.com. Or express your views direct to:

The Honourable Justin Madden,
Minister for Planning
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Address: Level 17, 8 Nicholson St, East Melbourne Vic 3002
Phone: 03 9637 8087
Fax: 03 9637 8921
Email: justin.madden@parliament.vic.gov.au

Mr Martin Purslow
CEO
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Address: Tasma Terrace, 4 Parliament Place, East Melbourne Vic 3002
Phone: 03 9656 9800
Fax: 03 9650 5397
Email: conservation@nattrust.com.au

Mr Stephen Hare
Company Secretary
The Robin Boyd Foundation
290 Walsh Street South Yarra
Telephone: 03 9656 9820
Email: information@robinboyd.org.au

Foundation Announces Boyd House Sale

A Precious Piece of Victorian Heritage

The Robin Boyd House II- Internal view of the living room. Image courtesy of the Boyd Foundation, Photo: Mark Strizic

About Robin Boyd

Robin Boyd (1919–1971), born and educated in Melbourne, was a member of the famous Australian family of artists and writers. He was a distinguished architect, writer and social commentator and throughout the 1940s and 1950s was Australia’s leading proponent of the modern movement. Boyd held a lifelong interest in modern architecture tempered by regional concerns. He was a leading practitioner of the post-war Melbourne regional style. The suburban house was often the focus of Boyd’s efforts, both in design and writing, and he enjoyed relatively few opportunities to design major buildings. Source: www.canberrahouse.com