In 2019 the research cluster assisted members complete projects for publication in major journals and books. The main topics were: the role of concrete in modern design; the implications of technology for architectural design; the sources for a general history of architecture, the securing of planning legislation in NSW, 1915-1945; and the foreign buildings of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Meetings starting from 2020 will continue to be organised around the priorities of members of the group. Funds may assist in inviting leading scholars from outside the group to present ideas.
Among the most relevant projects planned for 2020:
The Theory and Work of Alec Tzannes
Scholars from the cluster are currently developing abstracts for chapters to be included in a book. The research will encompass work with Alec Tzannes’ architectural office, as well as the envisaged publisher, Thames and Hudson. The project receives outside funding, which pertains to collection of materials, interviews, editing and organizing the final texts. Cluster members working on the project under the guidance of Paola and Rob are Laurence, Raffaele, Luciano, Peter and Catherine.
Metabolism 1960-2020
A major international symposium is planned in February 2021 at UNSW School of Built Environment to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the publication of the Metabolist Group Manifesto in 1960. One of the goals of the event is to gather renown international academic and scholars from Japan, Australia and overseas in order to exchange ideas and discuss the history and the legacy of Japanese Metabolism’s architectural and urban projects.
Construction Process and New Buildings
This project encompasses an ARC linkage Grant proposal for 2020. A holistic and historical approach is to guide the project. This will help tracing responsibilities in case a building fails.
Hunter Modern: Framing a New Research Project
The project centres on the study of architectural modernism within the Hunter region of New South Wales. Emphasis is placed on new discoveries, as well as broader cultural, economic and political themes. Paul is currently undertaking research and networking that will support a planned ARC Linkage Grant application in 2020.
2014-2016: Martin Place
The cluster’s research and publication project involved studying the history and development of Martin Place in Sydney. Martin Place is undergoing significant change with the re-development of a number of buildings along the thoroughfare and the cluster’s research aims to contribute to the discussion of its past and present transformation. Contributing authors: Peter Kohane, Mark Stiles, Rob Freestone, Charles Pickett, Michael Bogle, Sing D’Arcy, Russell Rodrigo, Maryam Gusheh, Katrina Simon, Judith O’Callaghan, Paola Favaro, Harry Margalit, Paul Hogben, Dijana Alic, Shirley Daborn and Catherine Lassen.
2011-2014: Leisure Space: The Transformation of Sydney 1945-1970
From 2011-2013 the cluster undertook research into the spaces that were designed for leisure activity within Sydney during the post-war ‘boom’ years of the 1950s and 1960s. Over this period, leisure was looked upon an area ripe for investment and this gave birth to a wide array of spaces to facilitate and accommodate new social and consumer trends. The cluster looked at a range of privately-resourced leisure environments including hotels, motels, bars, restaurants, shopping centres and leagues clubs and how these environments contributed to the growth of Sydney as a modern cosmopolitan city. This project resulted in an edited book publication:
Paul Hogben and Judith O’Callaghan (eds), 2014, Leisure Space: The Transformation of Sydney 1945-1970, Sydney, NewSouth Publishing (www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/leisure-space-transformation-Sydney). Contributing authors: Paul Hogben, Judith O’Callaghan, Russell Rodrigo, Sing D’Arcy, Michael Bogle, Shirley Daborn, Robert Freestone, Catherine Evans, Tracie Harvison, Harry Margalit, Dijana Alic, Maryam Gusheh and Catherine Lassen.
As recognition of its contribution to knowledge, Leisure Space was shortlisted for the 2015 NSW Premier’s History in the NSW Community and Regional History category. Judges’ comments:
Leisure Space: The Transformation of Sydney 1945–1970 is a collection of essays, mostly by architectural historians, showing how new structures transformed Sydney between 1945 and 1970. After discussing the cultural context — especially the impact of rising standards of living and new forms of leisure — it considers such elements as the transformation of tourist offices, motels, shopping centres and holiday houses. The contributors all show that the design and development of what are described as ‘leisure environments’ are closely connected to social, political, economic and technological history.
Engagingly written and presented, this book makes a significant addition to studies of Sydney’s post–Second World War history. Through its detailed attention to modernism’s role in physically altering the city’s landscape, it explains why by 1970 Sydney looked radically different in comparison with how it had appeared at the end of the war. The use of images interspersed through the text — including those by leading Sydney photographers such as Max Dupain — is highly effective.
Research for this project and the resultant book were generously supported by Faculty Research Grants and the City of Sydney’s History Publication Sponsorship Program.
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