Kevin Borland
Encyclopedia
Kevin Borland was an influential Australian post-war Architect. His career saw works evolve from an International Modernist
stance into a Regionalist aesthetic for which he became most recognized. Much of his significant works were composed of raw materials and considered ‘Brutalist
’ typifying Borland’s renowned motto ‘architecture is not for the faint-hearted’. Borland died in 2000 leaving a legacy of work throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
and at age 15 was offered a job as office hand at the studio of Best Overend, a pioneer of modernist architecture in Melbourne
. That same year he began part-time tuition at the Melbourne Technical College
studying Building Construction and Geometrical Drawing. In 1944 Borland attended first year of a Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Melbourne
before withdrawing to join the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, serving in WWII from July 1945 to January 1947. Upon return Borland recommenced studies under the newly appointed tutors Roy Grounds
and Robin Boyd
. During these years Borland was an active member of the University branch of the CPA
(Communist Party Australia) and the Melbourne University Labour Club. Borland’s belief in an idealistic society of economic, educative and social equality was intensified by his experiences at war and remained prevalent throughout his career and life . Borland received the Illuminating Engineers Society Student Award for Light in Architecture in 1949 and in 1950 graduated with second class honours in Town Planning.
, helping in the completion of the significant Rose Seidler House
, a progressive example of mid century modernist architecture.
During 1951 and 1952 Borland worked for ‘the Age’ Royal Victorian Institute of Architects Small Homes Service under former tutors Robin Boyd and Neil Clerehan
. The service aimed to supply the general public with modest affordable architect-designed homes. Through the service Borland obtained his first two major domestic commissions. The second of these (and first completed) was the Rice House (1952–53), which used an innovative method of chicken wire reinforced concrete shells in a lightweight form of slender vaulting roofs. The design reflects Borland’s improvisation of medium, and a deep sense of Humanism, which he carried on throughout his career.
Borland’s first public building, in collaboration with John and Phyllis Murphy
, Peter McIntyre
and engineering consultant Bill Irwin - the Olympic Swimming Stadium in Melbourne (1952–56) - precedes many collaborative projects for large institutional buildings. The scheme’s expression of primary structure reveals an idea of the interdependency of all building components.
1957 saw the beginning of the Borland & Trewenack practice which received recognition for works such as Mcarthy House, Stein House (1959), and Preshil Hall (1962). After 8 years Borland established an independent practice, and over the next decade became widely recognized, receiving numerous accolades for both residential and public commissions.
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
stance into a Regionalist aesthetic for which he became most recognized. Much of his significant works were composed of raw materials and considered ‘Brutalist
Brutalist architecture
Brutalist architecture is a style of architecture which flourished from the 1950s to the mid 1970s, spawned from the modernist architectural movement.-The term "brutalism":...
’ typifying Borland’s renowned motto ‘architecture is not for the faint-hearted’. Borland died in 2000 leaving a legacy of work throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Formative years
From 1938 to 1941 Borland attended University High SchoolUniversity High School, Melbourne
The University High School is a public, co-educational high school, located in the Melbourne suburb of Parkville.-History:...
and at age 15 was offered a job as office hand at the studio of Best Overend, a pioneer of modernist architecture in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. That same year he began part-time tuition at the Melbourne Technical College
RMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
studying Building Construction and Geometrical Drawing. In 1944 Borland attended first year of a Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
before withdrawing to join the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, serving in WWII from July 1945 to January 1947. Upon return Borland recommenced studies under the newly appointed tutors Roy Grounds
Roy Grounds
Sir Roy Burman Grounds , wasone of Australia's leading architects of the modern movement.-Biography:Born in Melbourne, Grounds was educated at Scotch College and then Melbourne University and worked for the architectural firm of Blackett, Forster and Craig...
and Robin Boyd
Robin Boyd
Robin Gerard Penleigh Boyd CBE was an influential Australian architect, writer, teacher and social commentator...
. During these years Borland was an active member of the University branch of the CPA
Communist Party of Australia
The Communist Party of Australia was founded in 1920 and dissolved in 1991; it was succeeded by the Socialist Party of Australia, which then renamed itself, becoming the current Communist Party of Australia. The CPA achieved its greatest political strength in the 1940s and faced an attempted...
(Communist Party Australia) and the Melbourne University Labour Club. Borland’s belief in an idealistic society of economic, educative and social equality was intensified by his experiences at war and remained prevalent throughout his career and life . Borland received the Illuminating Engineers Society Student Award for Light in Architecture in 1949 and in 1950 graduated with second class honours in Town Planning.
Career
In 1950 Borland gained work experience in the Sydney office of Harry SeidlerHarry Seidler
Harry Seidler, AC OBE was an Austrian-born Australian architect who is considered to be one of the leading exponents of Modernism's methodology in Australia and the first architect to fully express the principles of the Bauhaus in Australia.Harry Seidler designed more than 180 buildings and he...
, helping in the completion of the significant Rose Seidler House
Rose Seidler House
Rose Seidler House is a Bauhaus-styled home designed by Harry Seidler located at 71 Clissold Road, Wahroonga, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is managed by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales as a museum that has been open to the public since 1991. Built in 1949-1950, it...
, a progressive example of mid century modernist architecture.
During 1951 and 1952 Borland worked for ‘the Age’ Royal Victorian Institute of Architects Small Homes Service under former tutors Robin Boyd and Neil Clerehan
Neil Clerehan
Neil Clerehan was born in Melbourne in 1922. He is a President’s Prize for the Hall of Fame Award -winning Australian Architect. Clerehan established several architecture firms: Neil Clerehan Architects , Guilford Bell and Neil Clerehan , Neil Clerehan and Associates , Clerehan – Cran and Neil...
. The service aimed to supply the general public with modest affordable architect-designed homes. Through the service Borland obtained his first two major domestic commissions. The second of these (and first completed) was the Rice House (1952–53), which used an innovative method of chicken wire reinforced concrete shells in a lightweight form of slender vaulting roofs. The design reflects Borland’s improvisation of medium, and a deep sense of Humanism, which he carried on throughout his career.
Borland’s first public building, in collaboration with John and Phyllis Murphy
John and Phyllis Murphy
John and Phyllis Murphy were architects in Australia. Phyllis was also known for her work with wallpaper design and restoration.The Murphys completed a number of conservation projects through the National Trust in the 1960s and 70s...
, Peter McIntyre
Peter McIntyre (architect)
Peter McIntyre is an Australian architect, educator and Practice Director of McIntyre Partnership Pty Ltd. Peter McIntyre (born 24 August 1927) is an Australian architect, educator and Practice Director of McIntyre Partnership Pty Ltd. Peter McIntyre (born 24 August 1927) is an Australian...
and engineering consultant Bill Irwin - the Olympic Swimming Stadium in Melbourne (1952–56) - precedes many collaborative projects for large institutional buildings. The scheme’s expression of primary structure reveals an idea of the interdependency of all building components.
1957 saw the beginning of the Borland & Trewenack practice which received recognition for works such as Mcarthy House, Stein House (1959), and Preshil Hall (1962). After 8 years Borland established an independent practice, and over the next decade became widely recognized, receiving numerous accolades for both residential and public commissions.
Awards
- RAIA Victorian Architectural Medal for Outstanding Building, 1972. School Hall at Margaret Lyttle Memorial School, Kew (1962).
- RAIA Victorian Chapter, Citation in the Public Buildings category, 1969. Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre, Glen Iris (1968–69).
- RAIA Victorian Chapter House of the Year, 1972. Paton House, Portsea (1970).
- RAIA Victorian Chapter, Bronze Medal in category ‘House of the Year’, 1974. Nichols House, Eltham (1973).
- RAIA Victorian Chapter, Citation, 1974. Crossman Flats, Launching Flats (1973).
- RAIA Victorian Chapter, Citation, 1977. New Gordon House, South Melbourne (1974–76).
- RAIA Victorian Chapter, Citation, 1978. Mount Eliza North Primary School, (1977).
- RAIA Tasmanian Chapter declared among the ten notable Tasmanian buildings of 1980. Fitzgerald House, Hobart, Tasmania (1979)
- RAIA Victorian Chapter House of the Year, 1984. Roger Evans Residence, Queenscliff (1983).
- RAIA Victorian Chapter award for Outstanding Architecture in residential alterations, 1991. Borland Residence, Newport (1989–90)
- Dulux Colour Award for Residential Building and ‘Belle’ magazine Colorbond Steel Award, 1994. 10 x 1 bedroom housing units for Ministry of Housing, Collingwood.