Toured previously at Harvard University’s Druker Design Gallery, Architect of Uncommon Sense showcases formerly inaccessible Australian archival holdings from the State Library of New South Wales, with a special focus on Andrews' Melbourne projects including the RMIT library and student union (completed as Building 8 by Edmond & Corrigan), the Melbourne Convention Centre, a scheme for the renovation of Flinders Street Station, and a project for medium density housing at South Bank.
Beyond Andrews’ work, the exhibition highlights Australia's late modern architectural heritage and the evolution of environmental sensibilities in Australian design culture, while investigating the challenges entailed in its conservation.
This exhibition was curated by Paul Walker and Kevin Liu. It was funded in part by the Jock Simmie Architectural History, Urban and Cultural Heritage Research Fund. Its generosity furthers knowledge and access to architectural history, conservation and heritage and is proudly held in partnership with Open House Melbourne.
Exhibition photos
Notes on Impermanence with Noritaka Minami
Noritaka Minami spoke at the launch of John Andrews: Architect of Uncommon Sense, a celebration of the great yet under recognised architect's work and its global impact. Now more than ever, Andrews’ designs are a shining example of how architecture can be used to address urgent environmental and urban concerns.
Noritaka Minami is an Associate Professor of Photography in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, Loyola University, Chicago. He is well-known for his images of the Nagakin Capsule Tower in Tokyo by Kisho Kurokawa. Recently demolished, this was one of the most significant achievements of Japanese Metabolist architecture.He contributed the 'Coda' to the book John Andrews: Architect of Uncommon Sense (Harvard Design Press, 2023). A selection of these photographs appears in the exhibition.
Octagon's Twins
LiDAR images by Ben Waters
Architecture - a performing art
Directed by Michael Robertson, this film is a tribute to Andrews’ genius – his buildings are all remarkable examples of contemporary architecture.