Philip Cox
Encyclopedia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 1 October 1939) is an Australian
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...
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...
.
Professor Cox is the founding partner of COX Architects & Planners, one of the largest architectural practices in Australia.
He commenced his first practice with Ian McKay in 1963, then, in 1967 he founded his own practice, Philip Cox and Associates. The firm has grown to become COX Architects & Planners with 400 personnel. Professor Cox’s work appears throughout 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...
and also in South-East Asia, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Phillip Cox is responsible for much of concept design for each project. He has been described as “epitomising the Sydney School of Architecture” in earlier projects. His work has won him multiple awards, the first being in 1963, one year after graduating from the University of Sydney.
Early years
Philip Sutton Cox was born on 1 October 1939 to Ron and May Cox. He was their second child. He has one older sister Judith Cox. Philip Cox was a 5th generation Cox.Philip Cox's childhood was comfortable, growing up in Killara on the North Shore in Sydney but the first six years of Philip’s life coincided with World War II as he was born just one month after it had been declared.
Philip attended Gordon Public School where he was filled with apprehension initially. Philip then went on to study at the Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) in North Sydney. In Philip’s first years at shore, art was taught by John Lipscombe. Lipscombe had helped plan the new art block which had been praised by the architect Harry Seidler, who had lectured in the building in July 1952.
He decided at quite an early age that he wanted to be an architect, though this was not clear until it was nearly time to leave school. He won a commonwealth scholarship which was to pay his fees.
Education
He studied at the University of Sydney where he was awarded a Bachelor of Architecture between 1957 and 1962, then at the University of New South Wales where he was awarded a Doctor of Science between 1970 and 1975.Personal life
Philip Cox married Louise, a fellow Architect, in Sydney in April 1972. They have two daughters, Charlotte and Sophie.Architectural work
Professor Philip Cox designed many of the city's iconic buildings including a number of the buildings used for the Sydney Olympics, the Australian National Maritime MuseumAustralian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is a federally-operated maritime museum located in Darling Harbour, Sydney. After consideration of the idea to establish a maritime museum, the Federal government announced that a national maritime museum would be constructed at Darling Harbour, tied into...
at Darling Harbour and the Sydney Football Stadium. He also designed the Flinders Park tennis centre 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...
and Longitude 131 at Uluru
Uluru
Uluru , also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park....
. Cox was the architect responsible for initially implementing the American Radburn design for public housing
American Radburn design for public housing
The American Radburn design for public housing is a reference the civil engineering designs for public housing estates applied in the 1970s in Sydney, Australia and other places. It is typified by the backyards of homes facing the street and the fronts of homes facing each other over common yards...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
Some of the projects across Victoria:
- North Melbourne station;
- Hepburn Bath House and Spa, Daylesford;
- William Barak Bridge, Melbourne;
- National Institute of Circus ArtsNational Institute of Circus ArtsThe National Institute of Circus Arts is the only government-accredited institution that provides professional training in contemporary circus arts in Australia. It is a subsidiary of Swinburne University of Technology and is based at the university's Prahran campus.NICA is a registered cultural...
, Prahran; - Richmond station upgrade;
- Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Building G, Dandenong;
- Craigieburn rail station;
- Roxburgh Park rail station;
- Cato Hall, Wesley College, Glen Waverly;
- City Library, Melbourne;
- Eureka Stockade Interpretive Centre;
- Chisholm Access and Language Program building, Frankston;
Awards
He has received numerous awards in recognition of his contribution to architecture including:- 1962 - prize of Royal Australian Institute of Architects;
- 1963 - John Sulman Medal – Ian McKay & Philip Cox – St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Leppington;
- 1965 - John Sulman Medal – Ian McKay & Philip Cox – C. B. Alexander Presbyterian Agricultural College, Tocal Paterson, NSW;
- 1969 - Wilkinson Award Winner – Philip Cox & Associates Hawkins Residence, 19 Norma Crescent, Cheltenham;
- 1971 - Institutes of Valuers Prize, University of Sydney;
- 1983 - Sir Robert Matthew Award;
- 1984 - 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....
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;...
, the Australian architecture profession's highest accolade; - 1987 - Honorary Fellowship of the American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of ArchitectsThe American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
; - 1987 - Life Fellowship to the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)Royal 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....
; - 1987 - Wilkinson Award Winner – Philip Cox Public Housing, Suite 8400 Newtown;
- 1988 - Awarded the Officer of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
for services to architecture; - 1989 - John Sulman Medal – Joint Winners, Philip Cox Richardson Taylor Partners – Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
- Sir Zelman CowenZelman CowenSir Zelman Cowen, was the 19th Governor-General of Australia. He is currently the oldest living former Governor-General of Australia.-Early life:...
Award for Public Buildings; - 1993 - Sport and Architecture Award from the Olympic Committee;
- 1993 - Fellow of the Royal College of Humanities;
- 1993 - Received the inaugural award for Sport and Architecture from the International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic CommitteeThe International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
in 1993;
- Past Vice President, Environment Board, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)Royal 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....
, NSW Chapter; - Past Member, Historic Buildings Committee, Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW;
- Vice President, Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW;
- Vice Chairman, Architecture and Design Panel, Visual Arts Board, Australia Council;
- Chairman of Education Board of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Federal Chapter.
Publications
- 1968 – "Rude Timber Buildings in Australia", Philip Cox with J. M. Freeland & W. Stacey, Thames & Hudson, London;
- 1971 – "Building Norfolk Island", Philip Cox with Wesley Stacey, Nelson, Melbourne;
- 1972 – "The Australian Homestead", Philip Cox with Wesley Stacey, Lansdowne, Melbourne;
- 1973 – "Historic Towns of Australia", Philip Cox with Wesley Stacey, Lansdowne, Melbourne;
- 1975 – "Restoring Old Australian Houses and Buildings: An Architectural Guide", Philip Cox with Howard Tanner & Peter Bridges, Macmillan, South Melbourne;
- 1978 – "Australian colonial Architecture", Philip Cox with Clive Lucas and Wesley Stacey, Lansdowne, Melbourne;
- 1982 – "Philip Cox, Architect", architectural monograph, privately published;
- 1986 – "Yulara, with Andy Park", Philip Cox, Panda Books, Sydney;
- 1988 – "The Functional Tradition", Philip Cox with David Moore, Five Mile Press, Melbourne;
- "Suburbs: A Study of the Suburban Phenomena in Australia", in preparation.
Further reading
- "Cox Architects : selected and current works", By Philip Sutton Cox 1997;
- "Cox Architects & Planners" by Philip Sutton Cox, Stuart Harrison, Sandra L Kaji-O'Grady, Anna Johnson, 2008.
- A decade in review: Philip Cox – Australian Design Review;
- http://www.travel-australia.org/sydney/philip_cox.html - Philip Cox;
- "Australian Architects: Philip Cox", Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Canberra, 1984;
- "Australian Architects: Philip Cox, Richardson & Taylor", RAIA, Canberra, 1988.
External links
- http://www.coxarchitecture.com.au/#/people/4320 - Philip Cox at Cox Architects;
- Philip Cox unleashed - ABC radio;
- Philip Cox and the Spirit of Place - ABC Radio;