American Institute
of Architects 2009 Gold Medal : Glenn Murcutt - winner
Preliminary study sketch by Glenn Murcutt for the Simpson-Lee
House, Mount Wilson, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia. 1988-94
2009 AIA Gold Medal
Australian architect Glenn Marcus Murcutt, Hon. FAIA. Murcutt was recognized
by the AIA Board in large part for the depth of his work and the breadth
of his influence.
Murcutt, a sole practitioner, is noted for his ecologically responsive
and socially responsible Modernist suburban and rural homes with which
he incorporates a variety of natural materials.
“Recently our architectural field experienced an ‘ecological
boom,’” writes 2005 AIA Gold Medalist Tadao Ando in a letter
of support for Murcutt’s nomination. “However, without relation
to such a trend of time, Glenn Murcutt has always been focusing on the
geographical and regional conditions, from the very beginning of his career.”
Although Murcutt works exclusively in Australia, he has had and continues
to have a profound impact on architecture around the world. “While
some might characterize a single-continent geographic range of work as
‘regional,’ the effect of Mr. Murcutt’s is amplified by
impassioned and extensive lectures and a commitment to teaching throughout
the world,” said Tom Howorth, FAIA, chair of the AIA Committee on
Design’s Gold Medal Committee.
Murcutt, born in London in 1936, grew up in the remote Morobe district
of New Guinea. Living close to the land helped develop Murcutt’s
preference for simple, vernacular architecture. Murcutt studied architecture
at the University of New South Wales from 1956 to 1961, during which he
worked with a series of architects. He established his own practice in
Sydney in 1970.
The AIA Gold Medal, voted on annually, is the highest honor the AIA confers
on an individual. The Gold Medal honors an individual whose significant
body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of
architecture. Murcutt will be presented the award at the American Architectural
Foundation's Accent on Architecture Gala in February.
Murcutt becomes the 65th AIA Gold Medalist, joining the ranks of such
visionaries as Thomas Jefferson, Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, LeCorbusier,
Louis Kahn, I.M. Pei, Cesar Pelli, Edward Larrabee Barnes and last year’s
recipient, Renzo Piano. In recognition of his legacy to architecture,
Murcutt’s name will be chiseled into the granite Wall of Honor in
the lobby of the AIA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Information from AIA via Architecture Foundation Australia
Key Projects, alphabetical:
Ball & Eastway house, Glenorie, New South Wales, Australia
1983
Ken Done house, Mosman, New South Wales
1988-91
Laurie Short house, Terrey Hills, New South Wales
1972-73
Littlemore house, Woollhara, New South Wales
1986
Magney House, Bingie Point, Kempsey, New South Wales
1988-90
09 Glenn Murcutt International Architecture Master Class 12 - 26 Jul 2009
The ninth Glenn Murcutt International Architecture Master Class will be
held in Australia at Glenn Murcutt's "Masterwork", the Arthur
and Yvonne Boyd Education Centre 'Riversdale' on the banks of the Shoalhaven
River south of Sydney, and at the School of Architecture at the University
of Sydney, 12-26 July 2009. Information - www.ozetecture.org
The two week residential design studio program is led by Glenn Murcutt
with other tutors including Richard Leplastrier, Peter Stutchbury, Brit
Andresen and, Master Class Convener, Lindsay Johnston. A major feature
each year has been the insights contributed by Aboriginal elder 'Uncle'
Max Dulumunmun Harrison. Since its inception, participants from 46 nations
have attended the program. Participants are primarily, now, practising
architects - older and younger - with some professors, academics, recent
graduates and a few senior students.
Participants stay for the first week in the exquisite hostel accommodation
at the Boyd Education centre, designed by Murcutt with Wendy Lewin and
Reg Lark and completed in 1999. Th 'big room' at 'Riversdale' is transformed
into both banqueting hall and a design studio for six days while participants
commence the conceptual design of a project located on a sensitive scenic
site within walking distance of the venue. The program includes extensive
site investigations, intensive studio tutoring, progress design critiques
and after dinner lectures by the 'masters'. The studio relocates to the
University of Sydney for the second week, participants stay in a hotel
near the University at Darling Harbour and culminates in final presentations
and 'Big Crit Day'. Other events in the program include visits to significant
houses designed by Glenn Murcutt and the other tutors and, in previous
years, a Sydney Harbour evening cruise.
Glenn Murcutt is best known for his 'singular practice' acclaimed through
the award of the 2002 Pritzker Prize. He has also been recipient of numerous
other international awards including the Alvar Aalto Medal in Finland,
the 'Green Pin' Award for Architecture and Ecology in Denmark and the
Richard Neutra Award in USA. He is a Gold Medallist of the Australian
Institute of Architects.
Richard Leplastrier is a seminal figure in Australian architecture and
is considered as one of the great teachers. He worked with Jørn
Utzon at the time of the Sydney Opera House and his body of work was acclaimed
in 2004 by the award of the 'Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture' Award
in Finland, also awarded to Renzo Piano, Kengo Kuma and Peter Zumthor.
He is also a Gold Medallist of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Professor Brit Andresen taught at the AA in London before joining the
University of Queensland. She worked with Barry Gasson on the winning
entry for the Burrell Museum in Scotland and, with her partner Peter O'Gorman,
has authored significant works that have been widely published internationally.
Brit was the first woman recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects
Gold Medal in 2002.
Peter Stutchbury is a leading practitioner in Australia with a significant
body of outstanding innovative built projects that have been awarded nationally
and published internationally. He was winner of the 2008 International
Iron and Steel Institute 'Living Steel' Competition for extreme climate
housing in Cherepovets, Russia and has been invited to take the 2008 Catedra
Luis Barragan in Mexico, a Chair previously held by Tadao Ando, Norman
Foster, Nicholas Grimshaw, Peter Zumthor and Glenn Murcutt. Lindsay Johnston
is former Dean of Architecture and Design at the University of Newcastle,
Australia, with a particular expertise in environmentally responsive design
and some of his built projects have been awarded and published internationally.
See the web site and 'blog' for latest information, program, costs and
application form - www.ozetecture.org
Previously:
Architecture Foundation Australia
08 GLENN MURCUTT INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE MASTER CLASS
05 19 JUL 2008 AUSTRALIA
Photo of the architect from EAA 2007
The eighth annual Glenn Murcutt International Architecture Master Class
will be held in Australia, starting Saturday 5 July and finishing Saturday
19 July 2008.
Glenn Murcutt will lead the Master Class which will again be located at,
what has been called his 'Masterwork', the Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Education
Centre, Riversdale, on the banks of the beautiful Shoalhaven River south
of Sydney (completed 1999), followed by a week at the University of Sydney
Faculty of Architecture.
Glenn Murcutt (2002 Pritzker Prize Laureate, RAIA Gold Medallist 1997)
personally tutors throughout the program and will be joined by his great
friend seminal Australian architect and outstanding teacher Richard Leplastrier
(2004 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award Finland, RAIA Gold Medallist
1999) and by Peter Stutchbury (RAIA National Architecture Awards, published
in GA House, Abitare, Phaidon World Atlas, etc). Guest tutor will again
be University of Queensland Professor Brit Andresen (first woman RAIA
Gold Medallist 2002, Phaidon World Atlas, 10X10, etc). Master Class convener
is Lindsay Johnston, former Dean of Architecture at the University of
Newcastle, Australia.
The Master Class is a studio based program undertaking a design project
centred on the landscape at Riversdale addressing issues of cultural and
environmental sustainability and culminating in a design presentation
at the end of the second week. The program includes lectures, field trips
and visits to houses by Glenn Murcutt and the other tutors.
Applications are invited from qualified architects, academics, postgraduates
and senior architecture students only 32 places available.
Staying in Riversdale at the Arthur Boyd Centre, woken by sunlight, showering
while looking over the Shoalhaven River, weaving between the in and the
out furthered an understanding of Murcutt's approach to architecture and
the Australian landscape. Every few days there were pin-ups, which were
less critiques more appraisals that emphasised the potential of each project.
Visits to some key houses around coastal New South Wales showed the skill
of those teaching in reading a site, creating prospect, refuge and an
emotional response to place. Finally, living and working with others from
various parts of the globe offered an insight into different cultural
approaches to the environment. This diversity of people has created a
Master Class network around the world, ensuring that this approach to
architecture does not remain only in Australia. (Daniel Ryan, Ireland,
2007 Master Class)
For detailed information, program, tutor portfolios and application form
-
www.ozetecture.org or email info@ozetecture.org
High resolution versions of the attached images can be downloaded for
press publication at - www.ozetecture.org/press_page08.html
A. Riversdale, Glenn Murcutt's 'Masterwork' on the Shoalhaven River.
Photo Wojtek Przywecki 2007.
B. Glenn Murcutt opens windows to new ways of seeing things at
Riversdale.
Photo Lindsay Johnston 2007.
C. Peter Stutchbury and Glenn Murcutt in discussion in the big room at
Riversdale. Photo Lindsay Johnston 2007.
D. Peter Stutchbury, Glenn Murcutt and Richard Leplastrier listen to
aboriginal elder 'Uncle' Max Harrison in the big room at Riversdale.
Photo Lindsay Johnston 2007.
E. The 2007 Murcutt Master Class group at Riversdale with Glenn
Murcutt.
Photo Lindsay Johnston 2007.
F. Glenn Murcutt, Pritzker Prize Laureate. Photo Jure Zavrtanik 2007.
More Glenn Murcutt Architecture online soon
Masterclass Images / Information via EAA 2007
World Architecture : e-architect
- a guide to key buildings across the globe
AIA
Gold Medal 2009 Winner
Australian Buildings
World Architects
Comments / photos for the Glenn Murcutt Architects page welcome:
info@e-architect.co.uk
Glenn Murcutt buildings -
page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt