Glenn Murcutt

Murcutt was born on 25 July 1936{{cite book |last1=Croquis |first1=El |title=El Croquis 163-164: Glenn Murcutt Feathers Of Metal |date=15 April 2016 |publisher=El Croquis |isbn=978-84-88386-73-1 |page=4 |url=https://www.amazon.com/El-Croquis-163-164-Murcutt-Feathers/dp/8488386737 |language=en |access-date=25 February 2024 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011061514/https://www.amazon.com/El-Croquis-163-164-Murcutt-Feathers/dp/8488386737 |url-status=live }} in London to Australian parents. He spent the first five years of his life in the Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea, where he first encountered vernacular architecture. After moving to Sydney with his parents in 1941, he was educated at Manly Boys' High School and studied architecture at the Sydney Technical College, from which he graduated in 1961.{{cite web |url=http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemdetailpaged.aspx?itemid=874625 |title=State Library of NSW Search – Manuscripts, Oral History, and Pictures Catalogue |publisher=Acms.sl.nsw.gov.au |access-date=28 March 2011 |archive-date=29 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110329112224/http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemdetailpaged.aspx?itemid=874625 |url-status=live }} Murcutt's early work experience was with various architects, such as Neville Gruzman, Ken Woolley, Sydney Ancher and Bryce Mortlock, which exposed him to their style of organic architecture focussing on relationships to nature. By 1969, Murcutt established his own practice in the Sydney suburb of Mosman.{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/property/so-last-century/2006/04/11/1144521327752.html?page=fullpage |title=So last century – Property – Domain |publisher=smh.com.au |date=13 April 2006 |access-date=28 March 2011 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605075822/http://www.smh.com.au/news/property/so-last-century/2006/04/11/1144521327752.html?page=fullpage |url-status=live }}

Murcutt works as a sole practitioner, producing residential and institutional work all over Australia. Although he does not work outside the country or run a large firm, his work has a worldwide influence, especially since Murcutt teaches master classes for beginning and established architects.

Murcutt's motto, 'touch the earth lightly', leads him to design his works to fit into the Australian landscape features. His works are highly economical and multi-functional. Murcutt also pays attention to aspects of the environment such as wind direction, water movement, temperature and light surrounding his sites before he designs the building itself. Materials such as glass, stone, timber, concrete, steel and corrugated iron are often included in his works.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Testament to his influence internationally was the award of the 2002 Pritzker Architecture Prize, one of the highest distinctions in architecture.[http://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/2002/announcement.html Pritzker Prize Announcement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628175849/http://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/2002/announcement.html |date=28 June 2009 }} In the words of the Pritzker jury: "In an age obsessed with celebrity, the glitz of our 'starchitects', backed by large staffs and copious public relations support, dominates the headlines. As a total contrast, Murcutt works in a one-person office on the other side of the world ... yet has a waiting list of clients, so intent is he to give each project his personal best. He is an innovative architectural technician who is capable of turning his sensitivity to the environment and to locality into forthright, totally honest, non-showy works of art." In 2009 Murcutt won the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal.

Murcutt currently lectures and teaches architectural studies as a professor at the UNSW Faculty of Built Environment.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

One of Murcutt's most recent projects is a mosque, the Australian Islamic Centre, in the Melbourne suburb of Newport. In 2016, the mosque became the focus of a critically acclaimed documentary, “Glenn Murcutt: Spirit of Place”, by renowned filmmaker Catherine Hunter. The film documents the growing acceptance of Murcutt's strikingly contemporary design, weaving into the narrative the stories of his famous domestic commissions, interviews with those involved, and an intimate biography of his life.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/-gsxc7v.htm|title=Review|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=1 December 2016}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web | last=Croaker | first=Trisha | title=Glenn Murcutt on mosque without minarets, and architecture designed to transform | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=2 December 2016 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/glenn-murcutt-on-mosque-without-minarets-and-architecture-designed-to-transform-20161202-gt2dah.html | access-date=23 May 2022 | archive-date=23 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523201704/https://www.smh.com.au/national/glenn-murcutt-on-mosque-without-minarets-and-architecture-designed-to-transform-20161202-gt2dah.html | url-status=live }} Hunter has said about Murcutt: "He gives everything, he can’t help himself. He’s unstoppable, he’s this force. Long before we started talking about things such as sustainability, Glenn was practicing those things."{{cite web |url=http://www.stevedow.com.au/Default.aspx?id=410 |title=Steve Dow, Journalist |publisher=Stevedow.com.au |access-date=28 March 2011 |archive-date=7 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407211106/http://www.stevedow.com.au/Default.aspx?id=410 |url-status=live }}

Glenn Murcutt's latest completed project is a new permanent sound installation space, the Cobar Sound Chapel in Cobar NSW, together with composer Georges Lentz. It was officially opened on April 2, 2022.{{cite news |title=Sunset serenade for Cobar Sound Chapel's official opening Cobar Sound – The Cobar Weekly |url=https://cobarweekly.com.au/sunset-serenade-for-cobar-sound-chapels-official-opening-cobar-sound/ |access-date=2 May 2022 |work=cobarweekly.com.au |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413110711/https://cobarweekly.com.au/sunset-serenade-for-cobar-sound-chapels-official-opening-cobar-sound/ |url-status=live }}

A portrait of Murcutt by Fiona Lowry was a finalist in the 2022 Archibald Prize.{{Cite web |title=Archibald Prize Archibald 2022 work: Glenn Murcutt by Fiona Lowry |url=https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2022/30437/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Art Gallery of New South Wales |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506002223/https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2022/30437/ |url-status=live }}

Murcutt's son Nicholas (1964–2011) was also a practicing architect.

File:Facade Slats Kakadu NP Visitor Centre Glenn Murcutt.jpg

File:Cobar Sound Chapel, interior view.jpg

• 1972–74 : Laurie Short House, Sydney (NSW)
• 1974–75 : Marie Short House, Kempsey (NSW)
• 1976–83 : Berowra Waters Inn, Berowra Waters (NSW)
• 1977–78: Ockens House, Cromer (NSW)
• 1977–80 : Nicholas House, Mount Irvine (NSW)
• 1977–80 : Carruthers House, Mount Irvine (NSW)
• 1982 : Kempsey Visitor Information Centre (NSW)
• 1981–83 : Ball-Eastaway House, Glenorie (NSW)
• 1976–88 : Museum of Local History and Tourist Office, Kempsey (NSW)
• 1981–82 : Fredericks House, Jamberoo (NSW)
• 1982–84 : Magney House, Bingie Bingie (NSW)
• 1986–90 : Magney House, Sydney (NSW)
• 1988–91 : Done House, Sydney (NSW)
• 1988–92 : Meagher House, Bowral (NSW)
• 1992 : Raheen (Pratt Family Wing Addition), Kew (VIC)
• 1989–94 : Simpson-Lee House, Mount Wilson (NSW)
• 1991–94 : Marika-Alderton House, Yirrkala Community, Eastern Arnhem Land (NT)
• 1992 : Murcutt Guest Studio, Kempsey (NSW)
• 1992–94 : Bowali Visitor Information Centre, Kakadu National Park (NT), in collaboration with Troppo Architects
• 1994 - 97: Deakins/Beckwith House, Woollahra ( NSW)
• 1994–96 : Schnaxl House, Newport (NSW)
• 1996–98 : Fletcher-Page House, Kangaroo Valley (NSW)
• 1995–96 : Douglas and Ruth Murcutt House, Woodside (SA)
• 1996–99 : Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Art Centre, Riversdale, West Cambewarra (NSW), in collaboration with Reg Lark and Wendy Lewin
• 1997–2001 : House at Kangaloon (NSW)
• 2000–03 : Murcutt/Lewin House and Studio, Mosman (NSW) in collaboration with Wendy Lewin
• 2001–05 : Walsh House, Kangaroo Valley (NSW)
• 2002–03 : Lerida Estate Winery, Lake George (NSW)
• 2006–07 : Moss Vale Education Centre (University of Wollongong), Moss Vale (NSW), in collaboration with Wendy Lewin
• 2006–16 : Australian Islamic Centre, Newport (VIC)Cheryl Hall: [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-08/contemporary-mosque-takes-shape-in-melbourne%27s-west/7702524 "Architect designs 'contemporary' mosque for Muslim community in Melbourne's west"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924081026/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-08/contemporary-mosque-takes-shape-in-melbourne%27s-west/7702524 |date=24 September 2016 }}, ABC, 8 August 2016
• 2019: MPavilion, Melbourne
• 2016–2022: Cobar Sound Chapel, Cobar (NSW){{Cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/soundscape-in-a-weathered-water-tank-rocks-outback-nsw-20211019-p591et|title=Soundscape in a weathered water tank rocks outback NSW|date=18 November 2021|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223230528/https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/soundscape-in-a-weathered-water-tank-rocks-outback-nsw-20211019-p591et|url-status=live}}

Prestigious awards include:

• the RAIA Gold Medal of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in 1992
• the Alvar Aalto Medal in 1992
• Officer of the Order of Australia in 1996
• the Richard Neutra Award for Teaching in 1998{{cite web|url=http://www.csupomona.edu/~arc/neutra_award.html |title=Cal Poly Pomona | Dept. Of Architecture |access-date=12 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019182831/http://www.csupomona.edu/~arc/neutra_award.html |archive-date=19 October 2014 }}
• the 'Green Pin' Award from the Royal Danish Academy of Architects in 1999
• the Thomas Jefferson Medal for Architecture in 2001
• the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2002
• the Kenneth F. Brown Asia Pacific Culture and Architecture Award in 2003
• the AIA Gold Medal Award in 2009.
• the Praemium Imperiale in 2021.

He is an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), an International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, an Honorary Fellow of the Finnish Association of Architects as well as Honorary Member of the Architects Institutes in Taiwan, Scotland and Singapore. In 2008 he was elected an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2010, he was named a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council.[https://archive.today/20120802075206/http://www.di.net/about/senior_fellows/ Design Futures Council Senior Fellows] He was founding President of the Australian Architecture Association and is Chair of the Architecture Foundation Australia (annual Murcutt International Master Class).{{cite web|url=http://www.ozetecture.org/|title=Home|website=OZ.E.TECTURE|access-date=19 November 2008|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211225834/http://www.ozetecture.org/|url-status=live}}

• "[http://www.architectureweek.com/2002/0417/news_1-1.html Glenn Murcutt Pritzker Prize] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912120343/http://www.architectureweek.com/2002/0417/news_1-1.html |date=12 September 2018 }}", ArchitectureWeek No. 94, 2002.0417, pN1.1.
• Beck, Haig and Cooper, Jackie, A Singular Practice. Images, April 2006. {{ISBN|1-876907-75-4}}.
• Carter, Nanette "Locating Design: A Site Every Design Professional Should See: The Marika-Alderton House, Yirrkala" Design and Culture, Vol. 3, No. 3, (Nov. 2011), pp. 375–378. {{ISSN|1754-7075}}
• Fromonot, Francoise. Glenn Murcutt : Buildings and Projects 1962–2003. Thames and Hudson, London/New York, 2005. {{ISBN|978-0-500-28589-3}}. {{ISBN|0-500-28589-6}}
• Drew, Philip. Leaves of Iron : Glenn Murcutt : Pioneer of an Australian Architectural Form. {{ISBN|0-207-17327-3}}.
• Drew, Philip. Touch This Earth Lightly: Glenn Murcutt in His Own Words. Duffy & Snellgrove, 15 May 2000. {{ISBN|1-875989-46-3}}.
• Farrelly, Elizabeth Glenn Murcutt – Three Houses (Architecture in Detail). Phaidon Press Inc. (October 1993). {{ISBN|0-7148-2875-0}}.
• Gusheh, Heneghan, Lassan, Seyama, "The Architecture of Glenn Murcutt", TOTO, Japan, 2008. {{ISBN|978-4-88706-293-1}}
• Gusheh, Heneghan, Lassan, Seyama, "Glenn Murcutt – Thinking Drawing, Working Drawing", TOTO, Japan, 2008. {{ISBN|978-4-88706-294-8}}
• Limited Edition Folio, "Glenn Murcutt Architect", Essays by Kenneth Frampton, Juhani Pallasmaa, boxed photos/drawings. 01 Editions, Sydney, 2006. {{ISBN|0-9775931-0-X}}.
• Muller, Brook "In the Landscape of Murcutt", ArchitectureWeek No. 66, 2001.0912, pE1.1.
• Sharp, Dennis. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Architects and Architecture. New York: Quatro Publishing, 1991. {{ISBN|0-8230-2539-X}}. NA40.I45. p111.

{{reflist}}

{{commons|Glenn Murcutt}}

• [http://www.ozetecture.org Architecture Foundation Australia Glenn Murcutt Master Class and Portfolio of Murcutt Projects] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211225834/http://www.ozetecture.org/ |date=11 February 2021 }}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkvtyUVW3jc Four-minute video clip Glenn Murcutt leading the annual Murcutt International Master Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422104905/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkvtyUVW3jc |date=22 April 2022 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090905051113/http://www.bundanon.com.au/content/the-arthur-yvonne-boyd-education-centre-riversdale Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Education Centre]
• [http://videolectures.net/maodebates_murcutt_talk/ Public talk with Glenn Murcutt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202034219/http://videolectures.net/maodebates_murcutt_talk/ |date=2 February 2021 }}
• [http://www.checkonsite.com/browse/architect/featured-architects/glenn-murcutt/ Location of Glenn Murcutt Buildings on checkonsite ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102072557/http://www.checkonsite.com/browse/architect/featured-architects/glenn-murcutt/ |date=2 November 2019 }} Location of Glenn Murcutt Buildings

{{Pritzker Prize laureates}}

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Category:1936 births

Category:Living people

Category:Pritzker Architecture Prize winners

Category:Architects from Sydney

Category:University of New South Wales alumni

Category:Officers of the Order of Australia

Category:People educated at Manly Selective Campus

Category:Recipients of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal

Category:Architecture educators

Category:Recipients of the AIA Gold Medal