Brit Andresen
Encyclopedia
Brit Andresen is a Norwegian
born Australia
n architect
and was the first female recipient of the RAIA Gold Medal
, awarded in 2002, for her sustained contribution to architecture through teaching, scholarship and practice.
In 1972 Andresen in collaboration with Gasson Meunier Architects, won the design competition for the Burrell Museum
, Glasgow
.
In 1977 Andresen returned to Australia taking up a temporary teaching position at the University of Queensland
, becoming the first female to be appointed in the Department of Architecture. There she met teaching colleague Peter O’Gorman, with whom she married in 1980 and established her current practice Andresen O’Gorman Architects. The predominantly residential practice privileges expressed Australian hardwood timber and the poetics of timber construction. Their work explores the interaction between inside and outside and between people and their environments. Her practices and collaborations in Cambridge and Brisbane have resulted in many built works, which have been published and exhibited both in Australia and internationally, including in the Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture.
In addition to the Universities of Cambridge
and Queensland, Andresen has held teaching positions at the Architectural Association
in London, the School of Architecture and Urban Planning UCLA
, Bristol University School of Architecture
and a guest lecturing position at The Royal University of Malta
.
Andresen has exhibited her scholarship of critical analysis and architectural history widely in conference presentations, journals and books, including her internationally known work on the landscape and site strategies used by Alvar Aalto
.
Andersen retired in November 2010 after 33 years contribution to the university and was appointed Emeritus Professor in the School of Architecture. She is also a tutor of the Glenn Murcutt
International Masterclass in Sydney.
Most recently, in February 2011, Andresen in collaboration with Sir Peter Cook
and Gavin Robotham of Crab Studio, has won the design competition for the new Soheil Abedian School of Architecture at Bond University
, Queensland.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
born Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and was the first female recipient of the RAIA Gold Medal
Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal
The Gold Medal is the highest award of the Australian Institute of Architects awarded annually since 1960. The award was created to recognise distinguished service by Australian architects who have:* designed or executed buildings of high merit;...
, awarded in 2002, for her sustained contribution to architecture through teaching, scholarship and practice.
Biography
Andresen was born in Norway and moved back and forth to Australia where her father, an engineer, was working on hydroelectric projects between 1951-1963. She studied architecture at Trondheim in Norway, graduating in 1969. In 1971 she moved to Cambridge, where she began teaching architecture part-time at Cambridge University and established her own practice.In 1972 Andresen in collaboration with Gasson Meunier Architects, won the design competition for the Burrell Museum
Burrell Collection
The Burrell Collection is an art collection in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated in Pollok Country Park on the south side of the city.-History:...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
.
In 1977 Andresen returned to Australia taking up a temporary teaching position at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
, becoming the first female to be appointed in the Department of Architecture. There she met teaching colleague Peter O’Gorman, with whom she married in 1980 and established her current practice Andresen O’Gorman Architects. The predominantly residential practice privileges expressed Australian hardwood timber and the poetics of timber construction. Their work explores the interaction between inside and outside and between people and their environments. Her practices and collaborations in Cambridge and Brisbane have resulted in many built works, which have been published and exhibited both in Australia and internationally, including in the Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture.
In addition to the Universities of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and Queensland, Andresen has held teaching positions at the Architectural Association
Architectural Association School of Architecture
The Architectural Association School of Architecture, more usually known as the AA, is an architectural school in London, United Kingdom...
in London, the School of Architecture and Urban Planning UCLA
UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
The UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture is a professional school at the University of California, Los Angeles. The school plays a vital role in the cultural and artistic life of the campus and the community. Through the six degree-granting departments, it provides a full range of course...
, Bristol University School of Architecture
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
and a guest lecturing position at The Royal University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
.
Andresen has exhibited her scholarship of critical analysis and architectural history widely in conference presentations, journals and books, including her internationally known work on the landscape and site strategies used by Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto
Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. His work includes architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware...
.
Andersen retired in November 2010 after 33 years contribution to the university and was appointed Emeritus Professor in the School of Architecture. She is also a tutor of the Glenn Murcutt
Glenn Murcutt
Glenn Marcus Murcutt AO is a British-born Australian architect and winner of the 2002 Pritzker Prize and 2009 AIA Gold Medal.-Biography:...
International Masterclass in Sydney.
Most recently, in February 2011, Andresen in collaboration with Sir Peter Cook
Peter Cook (architect)
Professor Sir Peter Cook, founder of Archigram , former Director the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London and the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London, has been a pivotal figure within the global architectural world for over half a century. His ongoing contribution to...
and Gavin Robotham of Crab Studio, has won the design competition for the new Soheil Abedian School of Architecture at Bond University
Bond University
Bond University is a private university located in Robina, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It is also the first private university established in Australia...
, Queensland.
Notable projects
- 1972: Burrell Museum (Scotland)
- 1994: Ocean View Farmhouse (Queensland)
- 1998: Mooloomba House (Queensland)
- 1998: Rosebery HouseRosebery HouseRosebery House is a residential project located in Brisbane, Queensland, designed by Andresen O'Gorman Architects in 1998.-The building:The house is situated on a long steep gully surround by subtropical bush land, terminating at the Brisbane River...
(Queensland) - 2001: Fernberg Pavilion (Queensland)
- 2001: Moreton Bay HousesMoreton Bay HousesThe Moreton Bay Houses residential project consists of twin houses located beside Moreton Bay in Queensland, designed by Andresen O'Gorman Architects in 2001.-The building:...
(Queensland)
Awards
- 1970: Dutch-Norwegian Research Scholarship
- 1990: Teaching Excellence Award, The University of Queensland
- 2002: Fellow Royal Australian Institute of ArchitectsRoyal Australian Institute of ArchitectsThe Australian Institute of Architects is a professional body for architects in Australia. Until August 2008, the Institute traded as the "Royal Australian Institute of Architects", which remains its official name....
- 2002: RAIA Gold MedalRoyal Australian Institute of Architects Gold MedalThe Gold Medal is the highest award of the Australian Institute of Architects awarded annually since 1960. The award was created to recognise distinguished service by Australian architects who have:* designed or executed buildings of high merit;...