Robin Boyd Foundation - 2009 and Beyond

The Save Boyd House Blog was established in response to the pending sale of the Robin Boyd House II and the apparent collapse of the Robin Boyd Foundation (RBF). We reported the blow-by-blow developments of the pending sale, the postponements of the sale, and rallied together like minded people who, in turn, made telephone calls, wrote letters, arranged introductions and, in short, went on the record as individuals who didn’t want to see such a significant house lost to the general public. Some of these people remain involved in the Foundation to this day and continue their commitment to the discussion of design and its role in the Australian community.

The first posting on this blog was on Saturday, 23rd June, 2007. Nearly two years later I am happy to be officially wrapping this forum up. Although I have not always understood the workings of the RBF Board, I am very pleased to see that they have secured ongoing funding arrangements that ensure the Foundation can continue its work, and that the house itself as the home for that Foundation. It's commendable stuff. They have really come through with the goods.

I am also very excited about being involved in the first event in the 2009 Public Open Day program: Robin Boyd: by example, by influence, on Sunday 3rd May. The day is a walking tour of Studley Park in Kew, Melbourne, and includes five houses. Two of these homes were designed by Boyd. The other three can be seen as examples that, if not directly influenced by Boyd’s ideas, share a similar design territory.

This type of event offers the general public a real opportunity to personally experience a series of beautiful, and occasionally challenging, architectural projects. It also offers members of the general public the opportunity to be exposed to a series of design ideas and philosophies bound up in these houses.

Robin Boyd was committed to promoting design issues in the community. It’s exciting that the RBF is kicking off it’s renewed program with such an event. It’s a very good note to continue proceedings on.

The RBF website has all of the details, as well as the booking form (bookings are essential).

For more information please click here.