Face the sun

Graeme Gunn has made an outstanding contribution to architecture in a career spanning more than five decades, one distinguished by three distinct forms of engagement, in each of which he has achieved transformative impact. Beginning with his early work in housing, particularly for Merchant Builders; continuing as an innovative educator heading the department and subsequently Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Building at RMIT; and in his present role as principal architect to VicUrban; Graeme Gunn is an enduring and inspirational advocate for architecture’s contributory role in improving our housing and urban environments.

Graeme’s housing at Winter Park with the innovative developers David Yencken and John Ridge is an outstanding example of careful design extended into a consideration of the importance of landscape and open space, and, ultimately, the presence and feel of a place. It is also one of the best examples of the manner in which Gunn and Merchant Builders “educated and articulated new ideas to the public”.

While, like many of his generation, an advocate of architecture’s social mission, Graeme brought a unique authority to this message through his architectural mastery. He demonstrated this in outstanding buildings including the Richardson House, the Molesworth Street townhouses, the suite of houses for Winter Park and the spectacular Plumbers and Gasfitters Building, with Len Hayball in early recycling projects including Prahran Market, Melbourne City Baths and recent projects such as his deftly handled Carlton Courtyard House.

As a builder’s son Graeme has always been an advocate for the built exemplar over theoretical proposition. Graeme’s most recent public role has been as principal architect with VicUrban and prior to that as principal design advisor to the Docklands Authority. In his work with VicUrban he provides strategic design guidance and mentors junior colleagues. As he did with Merchant Builders many years previously, at VicUrban Graeme also continues to advocate for strategies that will allow experimental projects to be built and that translate and test ideas in built form.

At a time when we face enormous challenges around the built environment Graeme Gunn provides an inspirational example of the engaged architect. He has steadfastly pursued his ambition to demonstrate innovative architecture, while at the same time devoted himself to improving the quality of how we live as well as projecting architecture to a broader group of people than would normally be able to afford it.