January/February - Australian Institute of Architects

etrospective40 UpIn 2011, Michael Bogle preparedan index of Architecture Bulletinarticles covering the period1944–1984. Here, he shares afew of his observations aboutthe formative years of theNSW Chapter journal.1.2. 3. 4.After 40 years in print, the character of apublication would be well established, onemight think. However, after reading acrossfour decades of Architecture Bulletin (1944–1984), I found it to be surprisingly flexible inresponding to its readership. Partly becauseits consumers were also its producers.Founded by Adrian Ashton, the Bulletinpublished its first edition in January 1944.In its first year there were news items aboutwartime housing and building regulations,and space was generously devoted to bookand film reviews and notice of a lecture(organised by the NSW Chapter) on furnitureby the designer, manufacturer and notoriousHarbour Bridge ‘celebrant’ Francis de Groot.Under Ashton’s direction, the Bulletin’sfocus was mostly the RAIA’s ‘affairs ofpractice’, such as contracts, fees, ethics andquantities. This was arguably ‘at the expenseof the larger philosophical questions ofarchitecture’, according to J.M. Freeland.Ashton held that in his modest four-pageallocation, he sought to impart “…informationand news in an impersonal, dignified mannerappropriate to a professional society”.Second generation editorsThe Bulletin’s second long-term editor(1954–1964), the NSW RAIA Secretary R.S.Greig continued covering ‘affairs of practice’as the main role, though he jettisoned Ashton’sinterests in book and film reviews, socialactivities and exhibitions. While low on visual‘excitement’, these 10 years are bricks andmortar for the architectural historian, offeringinformation on changes in architecturalpractice and personnel comings and goings.After Grieg retired, there were several changesof editor, and content was kept going by theNSW RAIA secretary W.L. Elkington and A.C.Reynolds (later Chapter President) until 1974.Bright young thingsIn this period, a ‘YouthQuake’ was torupture the Bulletin’s foundations. GeoffreyLumsdaine was elected Chapter Presidentin 1972, and encouraged readers to air issuesthrough the Letters section of the Bulletin.This unleashed lively correspondence oncontentious issues such as North Sydneyplanning, architectural education, thephilosophy of practice and competitions.Visuals were still rare, but the letter writers’colourful language was often imagery enough!In 1975, Chris Johnson (later ChapterPresident) became editor briefly, and contentbegan to engage with issues raised in theLetters column, particularly design andplanning. The following year, Ed Duc becameeditor, establishing a Comment section forreaders (later known as Viewpoint, then CriticalComment). Johnson, Duc and their co-editorsLynne Blundell, Clare McGee and Dinah Fishercommissioned essays, articles and interviewson topical issues and practitioners. Ken Maherbecame editor in 1984 and consolidated theseearlier innovations.DesignWith content vastly expanded through1975, Johnson and Duc began to reshape theBulletin’s graphic presentation, introducingphotographs and illustrations (poorly printedat first). They enlarged the format to an A4saddle-stitched journal, and in 1981, renamedit Architectural Bulletin. By 1983, James Grosehad retitled it Architecture Bulletin andredesigned it as a newsstand-quality monthlymagazine of A3 format.All this transformed it from a Chapternews publication on ‘affairs of practice’, into ajournal documenting ideas, controversies andphilosophical positions within the profession.The new journal featured interviews withJack Mundey on the Green Bans, and theleaders of all the state’s university architectureprograms, as well as interviews with KennethFrampton, Philip Cox, Daryl Jackson, PeterJohnson, Bryce Mortlock, Peter Stronach, TedMack and other luminaries of the day.AdvocacyThe other notable function of the Bulletin inits first 40 years, was its role providingeditorial support for the Chapter’s positionson architectural issues, in particular, heritage,planning and environment. For instance, theproposed demolition of the State Bank, MartinPlace and the John Verge-designed Lyndhurstreceived considerable coverage, along withredevelopment proposals for Circular Quay,the former Treasury Building, the Glebe Landsand an earlier scheme for a Sydney OperaHouse parking garage.Michael Bogle is a design historian specialisingin Australian design. His index to ArchitectureBulletin (1944–1984) can be found at TO BECOMPLETED. His 2008 PhD ‘ArthurBaldwinson: regional modernism in Sydney1937-1969’ can be found at researchbank.rmit.edu.au/eserv/rmit:7890/a_Bogle.pdf.Cover stories1. Vol. 1 No. 1 Architecture Bulletin begins as Chapter Bulletinin January 1944. 2. The 1980s saw graphic design and a largeformat redefine the Bulletin. 3. The 1980s saw more interviewsand quality photography; a Syd Ancher interview is the coverstory; he’s photographed by Max Dupain. 4. ArchitectureBulletin today operates in a very different media and publishinglandscape from when it started. While the digital-versus-printdebate continues, the content remains true to its foundingphilosophy. It is still focused on issues affecting practice. It is stillpublishing opinions, interviews, book and exhibition reviews,and still reporting on individual achievements, projects andawards. It’s still a discussion forum, a record of current thinking,and a supporting voice for the Chapter’s advocacy, as it lobbiesfor architecture in the public arena. Peter Salhani, EditorAdvertise inarchitecturebulletinT: 02 9246 4055E: roslyn.irons@architecture.com.au24Architecture Bulletin January / February 2012