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For the British art historian, see Robin Warwick Gibson.

Robin Gibson (born Robert Findlay Gibson, 15th May, 1930) is an Australian architect from Brisbane, Queensland. He is applauded across the Australian architectural profession for his high professional standards evident in all his works; for being a major influence on the built environment of Brisbane city; and for his efforts to make the arts more accessible to the public. Some of his most notable contributions to the built environment of Brisbane includes the Queensland Cultural Center and the Queensland Performing Arts Center. Gibson believed in creating architecture that was sensitive to the needs and desires of the end users.

Robin Gibson's Queensland Cultural Centre

Personal life

Robin Gibson was born in Brisbane and educated at Yeronga State School and Brisbane State High School before entering tertiary studies at the University of Queensland, graduating with a Diploma of Architecture in 1954. During his years in university, he worked in a number of architectural offices in Brisbane, including the Brisbane City Council Architect Department (1948), Frank Cullen (1949), Hayes and Scott (1950), and Theo Thynne (1951-54). After graduating, Gibson moved to London and worked with James Cubitt and Partners (1955) and Sir Hugh Casson and Neville Conder (1955). When Gibson was in London, he traveled across Europe and became interested in modern architecture. On his return to Brisbane in 1957, Gibson established his own practice. Most of his major projects are in Queensland, with the exception of the Belconnen Library in Australian Capital Territory.

Gibson was a councillor on the Queensland Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in 1974 and was the convenor of the Institute's film 'Mind Made' in 1980. His community involvement includes membership of the Business Advisory Board of the Queensland Youth Orchestra, the Australiana Fund and the Queensland Council of the Australian Bicentennial Authority. He is also a director of the Australian Opera and has been the chairman of the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal since 1987. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and has honorary doctorates from Griffith University and the University of Queensland.

Philosophy

Robin Gibson is devoted to raising people's consciousness of the responsibilities of the architectural act. He took into consideration the political, social and cultural needs of the environment and embracing an awareness of the outcomes in global arenas. Gibson stated that "the opportunity to create something better than what exists at present". His philosophy is, a good building is one that respects its users and accommodates the needs of those outside its walls. According to Gibson, the aim of architecture is to house and magnify the experience of living.

His works show a restrained modernism, designed within a simple and modest formal expression. The effect of light and effortless merging and expanding spaces creates peaceful and relaxing interiors, such as in the Queensland Art Gallery. He consciously sought beauty in architecture and tried not only to accommodate the physical needs of people but also to make the city a place of sensory delight. He thinks it’s the architect’s responsibility to contribute "to the people’s awareness of the urban fabric that surrounds them, in the immediate architecture that they use and the city as a whole. By raising their consciousness of what the city really means to them, their involvement and enjoyment are increased and their concern for its future is heightened."

Robin Gibson & Partners

Robin Gibson and Partners is a Brisbane-based architectural practice established in 1957. Their early work was largely residential, retail, commercial and community facilities, and displayed a characteristic, restrained modernism. Signature project for the practice was initiated by winning the design competition (1973) for the Queensland Art Gallery. The scope expanded to include all of the cultural precinct including the Queensland Performing Arts Center, the Queensland Museum, and the State Library of Queensland, all designed by Gibson in association with the Queensland Department of Works. The company was registered at the Office of Fair Trading in Queensland in 1994.

Notable projects

Queensland Cultural Centre (1982)

The concept of educating people about culture influenced the Queensland Government to develop the Queensland Cultural Centre. The centre was designed to create easy access and connection for pedestrians to be more involved with every part of the site. It consists of four parts: the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Museum, the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Queensland Art Gallery (1975)

The Queensland Art Gallery is the first stage of the Queensland Cultural Centre. It is a five level building with a total floor area of 15,477 square meters. In the gallery, visitors experience unfolding spaces that flow seamlessly into eachother and catch glimpses of views to the outside. An external walkway links the building with the museum and the Performing Arts Centre. Furthermore, the water mall is lit with natural light through acrylic domes at the top, creating a continuous motif through the center of the building which visitors can use as a point of reference for wayfinding.

Performing Arts Complex (Queensland Performing Arts Centre) (1986)

The Performing Arts Complex consists of three different areas: The Lyric Theatre, The Cremorne Theatre and The Concert Hall. It comprises the second stage of the Queensland Cultural Centre development. The smallest venue among these buildings is the Cremorne Theatre. The Concert Hall was designed as a classical hall to seat 2000 people, equipped with a grand concert organ. The Lyric Theatre was also designed to house 2000 people. The orchestra pit can hold musicians with a full stage house facility that caters performances ranging from dramas to grand operas.

Mayne Hall, University of Queensland (1972)

Mayne Hall at the University of Queensland St Lucia Campus was built in 1972. The concept was to create a multipurpose space that was suitable for all occasions. Six large stained glass windows in an abstract design by Nevil Matthews forms the eastern facade of the foyer. In addition, there are paintings and sculptures reflecting the history of the university, lined on the northern main walkway along the tall concrete recesses.

Other works

Public projects:

• Kenmore Church, Brisbane, 1968

• Wheat Silos, Pinkenba, 1969

• Central Library, University of Queensland, 1973

• Library and Humanities Building, Griffith University, 1975

• Macrossan, Griffith University, 1975

• Biological Sciences Building, University of Queensland, 1976

• SEACC, Belmont, 1977

• Shirley Shoes Stores, Brisbane, 1980

• Belconnen Town Centre Library, A.C.T., 1981

• Suncorp Building Society, Brisbane, 1981

• Queen St Mall (Stage 1), Brisbane, 1982

• Bank of Queensland Centre, Brisbane, 1984

• Colonial Mutual Building, Brisbane, 1984

• Wintergarden (Stage 1), Brisbane, 1984

• Anzac Square and Post Office Square, Brisbane, 1982-85

• Science and Technology Building and Great Hall, Bond University, 1987

• Queensland Museum, Brisbane, 1987

• Queensland Pavilion at World Expo, 1988

• State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, 1988

• St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane, 1988

• QLD Government Office Tower, Brisbane, 1993

• Playhouse theatre addition to the Cultural Centre complex, Brisbane 1997

• St Therese’s Church, Edmonton, 2002

• Alterations and new entrance to the QLD Museum, 2004

• Cultural Centre Bus Station, Brisbane, 2005

Residential projects:

• Gibson Residence, 1963

• Perrin’s House, 1963

• House at Buderim, 1964

• Mocatta House, 1966

• Craig Residence, 1972

• Clark Residence, 1974

Projects involved in while at the office of Theo Thynne & Associates:

• Ampol Service Station, 1955

• Coast House, 1955

• MacFadden Residence, 1955

• Steel Store, 1956

• Len Butterworth, 1956

• Butterworth Residence, 1956

• J. G Day Residence, 1956

• House in Moorooka, 1956

• Queensland Chambers of Manufacturers, 1958

• Star Theatre, 1958

• Cooks Works Travel Service, 1959

Awards

• Canberra Medallion and Sir Zelman Cowan Award (1982)

• Queenslander of the Year (1982)

• Order of Australia (1983)

• Advance Australia Award (1988)

• Griffith University, bestowing honorary Doctorate (1986)

• RAIA National Awards (2000)

• Outstanding performance and Contributions, RAIA Gold Medal (1989)

• Church, Kenmore, RAIA Building of the year award (1968)

• Griffith University Library, Library Award of Australia (1979)

• St Stephen’s Chapel, Lachlan Macquarie Award (2000)

• Centenary Medal (2000)

• Queensland Art Gallery, RAIA 25 Year Award for Architecture (2004)

Bibliography

• Architecture in Australia, 1968 Nov., v. 57, n. 6, p. 923-957
• Architecture Australia, 2000 Nov.-Dec., v.89, n.6, p.[34]-69
• Gibson, R 1980, 'Lifestyle and the Built Environment', Aquinas Memorial Lecture, Brisbane.
• Taylor, Jennifer, Australian architecture since 1960, 2nd ed., Canberra, A.C.T. : The Royal Australian Institute of Architects, 1990, ch.7, pp. 116-140

External links

• Australian Institute of Architects Australian Institute of Architects 2010 Gold Medal - 50 years of winners: 1960-2010
• Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal recipients since 1960
• Australian Institute of Architects RAIA Lachlan Macquarie Award: Past Winners

Category:Australian architects Category:Modernist architects Category:Modernist architecture in Australia Category:Living people Category:Architects from Queensland Category:Recipients of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal