Robin Gibson
Encyclopedia
Robin Gibson is an Australian architect, from Brisbane
, Queensland.
, and graduated with a Diploma of Architecture in 1954. During his years in university, he worked in a number of architectural offices in Brisbane, and gained a lot of knowledge from a progressive firm called Hayes and Scott. After graduating, Gibson moved to London and worked with James Cubitt and Partners, Sir Hugh Casson and Neville Conder. 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 Central Territory.
The concept of educating people about culture influenced the Queensland Government to develop the Queensland Cultural Centre
. The centre is to create easy access and connection for pedestrian to be more involved with every part of the site. It consists four parts: the Queensland Art Gallery
, the Queensland Museum
, the State Library of Queensland
and the Performing Arts Complex.
Queensland Art Gallery (1975)
The Queensland Art Gallery is the first stage of the Queensland Cultural Centre. It has five levels with 15,477 areas in total. In the gallery, visitors encounter different spaces and views. Its external walkways link with the museum and the Performing Arts Centre. Furthermore, the water mall is lit with natural light through acrylic domes at the top.
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 equip a concert grand organ that serve 2000 people. Similar to the Lyric Theatre, it can also house 2000 people. The orchestra pit can hold musicians with a full stage house facility that caters performance from dramas to grand opera.
Mayne Hall, University of Queensland (1972)
The Mayne Hall building was built in 1972. The concept is to transform the hall into a multipurpose space that is suitable for all occasions. There’s an abstract design by Nevil Matthews done on six large stained glass windows, which form the eastern facade of the foyer. In addition, there are paintings and sculptures reflecting the history of the university, lined on the north main walkway along the tall concrete recesses.
Brisbane: Arcade and Square (1982)
Since Brisbane sees the need to minimize high-rise buildings in the area, the riverside freeway was introduced to make the area motor vehicle friendly along the western side of the town. Combined with above ground and underground car parks, this ensures the needs of motorist are well served in the city centre. Not forgetting the needs of pedestrians, Queen Street Mall was introduced and also the covered Wintergarden Galleria plus other pedestrian arcades in the area.
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Queensland.
Personal life
Robin Gibson was an Architecture student at the University of QueenslandUniversity 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...
, and graduated with a Diploma of Architecture in 1954. During his years in university, he worked in a number of architectural offices in Brisbane, and gained a lot of knowledge from a progressive firm called Hayes and Scott. After graduating, Gibson moved to London and worked with James Cubitt and Partners, Sir Hugh Casson and Neville Conder. 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 Central Territory.
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.Robin Gibson & Partners
Robin Gibson and Partners is a Brisbane-based architectural practice. In April 1973, they won a two- staged design competition which was to build the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane. Later, the design brief developed to build the whole Queensland Cultural Centre that includs the Art Gallery, the Performing Art Complex, the Queensland Museum and the State Library. 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
Queensland Cultural Centre
The Queensland Cultural Centre is a multi-venue centre located at South Bank, Brisbane, capital city of Queensland. It consists of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre , the Queensland Museum, the State Library of Queensland , the Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art...
. The centre is to create easy access and connection for pedestrian to be more involved with every part of the site. It consists four parts: the Queensland Art Gallery
Queensland Art Gallery
The Queensland Art Gallery is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre, and is located nearest to Brisbane River at South Bank...
, the Queensland Museum
Queensland Museum
The Queensland Museum is the state museum of Queensland. The museum currently operates four separate campuses; at South Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and Townsville.The museum is funded by the State Government of Queensland.-History:...
, the State Library of Queensland
State Library of Queensland
The State Library of Queensland is a large public library provided to the people of the State of Queensland, Australia, by the state government. Its legislative basis is provided by the Queensland Libraries Act 1988...
and the Performing Arts Complex.
Queensland Art Gallery (1975)
The Queensland Art Gallery is the first stage of the Queensland Cultural Centre. It has five levels with 15,477 areas in total. In the gallery, visitors encounter different spaces and views. Its external walkways link with the museum and the Performing Arts Centre. Furthermore, the water mall is lit with natural light through acrylic domes at the top.
Performing Arts Complex (Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre and is located on the corner of Melbourne Street and Grey Street in Brisbane's South Bank precinct....
) (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 equip a concert grand organ that serve 2000 people. Similar to the Lyric Theatre, it can also house 2000 people. The orchestra pit can hold musicians with a full stage house facility that caters performance from dramas to grand opera.
Mayne Hall, University of Queensland (1972)
The Mayne Hall building was built in 1972. The concept is to transform the hall into a multipurpose space that is suitable for all occasions. There’s an abstract design by Nevil Matthews done on six large stained glass windows, which form the eastern facade of the foyer. In addition, there are paintings and sculptures reflecting the history of the university, lined on the north main walkway along the tall concrete recesses.
Brisbane: Arcade and Square (1982)
Since Brisbane sees the need to minimize high-rise buildings in the area, the riverside freeway was introduced to make the area motor vehicle friendly along the western side of the town. Combined with above ground and underground car parks, this ensures the needs of motorist are well served in the city centre. Not forgetting the needs of pedestrians, Queen Street Mall was introduced and also the covered Wintergarden Galleria plus other pedestrian arcades in the area.
Other works
- Central Library, University of Queensland, 1973
- Library and Humanities Building, Griffith University, 1975
- C.M.L. Building, Brisbane, Early 1980s
- Belconnen Town Centre Library, A.C.T., 1981
- Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, 1982
- Queen St Mall (Stage 1), Brisbane, 1982
- Colonial Mutual Building, Brisbane, 1984
- Wintergarden (Stage 1), Brisbane, 1984
- Anzac Square, Brisbane, 1982
- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, 1987
- State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, 1988
- St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane, 1988
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)
- RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
National Awards (2000)
- Outstanding performance and Contributions, RAIA Gold Medal (1989)
- Church, Kenmore, RAIA Building of the year award (1968)
- St Stephen’s Chapel, Lachlan Macquarie Award (2000)