Leslie Wilkinson OBE, FRAIA, ARIBA (12 October 1882 – 20 September 1973) was a UK-born Australian architect and academic. He was the founding dean of the faculty of architecture at University of Sydney in 1920. A traditionalist, he is known for his residential and church architecture.
Leslie Wilkinson | |
|---|---|
 Professor Leslie Wilkinson by Anthony Browell | |
| Born | 12 October 1882 New Southgate, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 20 September 1973 (aged 90) Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Arts |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | University of Sydney |
Early life and education edit
Leslie Wilkinson was born on 12 October 1882 at New Southgate, Middlesex, England, the younger son of commercial clerk Edward Henry Wilkinson.[1]
In his early years, he studied at St Edward's School, Oxford and at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, winning several awards, including the touring scholarship (1904,1905) that allowed him to travel to France, Italy, Spain and England. It was in these early years that his love of Mediterranean and Italian Renaissance architecture developed.[1] In 1903, Wilkinson had become assistant to noted architect James Gibson, while also studying and entering competitions.
Career edit
Wilkinson was an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1907. In 1908, he became Professor F. M. Simpson's assistant at University College in London and later became assistant professor. He enlisted in the Territorial Force during World War I.[citation needed]
In 1918, he was appointed to the new chair of architecture (within the faculty of science) at the University of Sydney. Arriving later that year, he threw his energy into the creation of a faculty of architecture; succeeding in 1920, he became the first dean of the school that became to be known as the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.[citation needed]
Throughout his time in Australia, Wilkinson also continued to practise as an architect. He was appointed architect for the University of Sydney in 1919, where he contributed to the university's master plan (inspired by the Walter Burley Griffin's previous unused 1915 campus masterplan),[2] as well as a number of building projects. He also designed over 30 commissions for houses and flats, and some church designs.[3]
In 1933, he became president of the newly formed New South Wales state chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), and in 1937 was a founding member of Robert Menzies' anti-modernist Australian Academy of Artists.[4]
Awards and recognition edit
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2023) |
- Royal Academy of Art Silver Medal, 1903
- Royal Academy of Art Gold Medal, 1905
- Sir John Sulman Medal, 1934 and 1942
- Inaugural Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal, 1960
- Honorary Award, University of Sydney, 1970
In 1961 the RAIA NSW Chapter created a new named annual architecture award, called the Wilkinson Award for residential architecture.
The Wilkinson Building, which houses the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, was named in his honour.[5]
Death and legacy edit
Wilkinson died on 20 September 1973 in the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse.[1]
His ideals on architecture as a form of art had strongly influenced both the school and its students. The emphasis on the teaching of philosophy and practice of design was at the time a frontier in architecture education.[6] Wilkinson was never a part of the modern architecture movement. His work, both as a teacher and practising architect, was consistently involved only with traditional architecture, which was inspired by Australian's colonial heritage and Mediterranean architecture. This reflected his training at the Royal Academy of Arts and his study tours in France, Italy, Spain and Great Britain. Wilkinson's influential work is seen in residential and church architecture, and the University of Sydney master plan.[7]
Notable projects edit
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2023) |
Academic edit
- Masterplan for the University of Sydney, 1920—1927
- Completion of Edmund Blacket's Gothic Revival Quadrangle, University of Sydney, 1919
- Chemistry Building, University of Sydney, 1923
- Physics Building, University of Sydney, 1926
Sydney University Physics Building by Toby Hudson
Residential edit
- Wilkinson Residence, Greenway, 1923
- Verona Residence, Double Bay, 1923[8]
- Silchester, Bellevue Hill, 1930
- Greyleaves, Burradoo, 1934
- Samuel Hordern's Residence, Bellevue Hill, 1936
- Maiala, Warrawee, 1937
- Hazeldean, Cooma, 1937
- Markdale Homestead, Crookwell, 1951
Ecclesiastical edit
- St John's Church of England (now Anglican), Penshurst, Sydney
St John's Church of England, Penshurst - St John's Church of England (now Anglican), Maroubra, Sydney
- St Paul's Church, Harris Park, Sydney
- Completion of Blacket's St Michael's Anglican Church, Vaucluse
- Original design of Ss Peter and Paul Cathedral, Dogura, Papua New Guinea, 1932, which was much modified by a local lay worker, Robert Jones[9]
References edit
- ^ a b c Lucas, Clive. "Wilkinson, Leslie (1882-1973)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 12, 1990
- ^ "Grimshaw completes 'gateway' administration building for University of Sydney". ArchitectureAU. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ R. N. Johnson, ["Leslie Wilkinson and His Architecture"], Art and Australia, Volume 12, 1974
- ^ Australian Academy of Art First Exhibition, April 8th-29th, Sydney : Catalogue (1st ed.). Sydney: Australian Academy of Art. 1938. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ "History of the school". University of Sydney. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ R. N. Johnson, ["Leslie Wilkinson and His Architecture"], Art and Australia, Volume 12, 1974
- ^ S. Falkiner, ["Leslie Wilkinson a Practical Idealist"], Leslie Wilkinson a Practical Idealist, 1982
- ^ Macken, Lucy (27 September 2018). "Mike Cannon-Brookes paid $17m for Double Bay house day after he bought $100m Fairwater estate". Domain Group. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Strong, Philip Nigel Warrington, "An account of the Consecration of the Cathedral Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Dogura, Papua, on Sunday, October 29, 1939", Australian Church Quarterly, Vol 5, No 1, 30 March 1940". Retrieved 4 April 2021.
External links edit
- Honorary Award, University of Sydney, Leslie Wilkinson
- Drawings and Photographs by Leslie Wilkinson, Library of NSW
- "Wilkinson's European sketches and University legacy [News]". University of Sydney. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
See also edit
- Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal
- University of Sydney
- University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
- Wilkinson Award