Robin Boyd Time Capsule in Canberra

Photo ©Darren Bradley

I finally had the opportunity to visit one of the most interesting and beautiful homes in Canberra. This home, designed by renowned Melbourne architect Robin Boyd in 1963, demonstrates Boyd’s willingness to experiment with new ideas, and even borrow a few from others. In this case, Southern California seems to have been the inspiration…

Photo ©Darren Bradley

Robin Boyd traveled frequently to the United States, and you have to wonder if he had met Albert Frey during his travels. The detailing on the sandstone-colored cement block is striking in how it evokes so many of Frey’s designs in Palm Springs (City Hall, Frey House II, the Visitors’ Center…)

Example of the crenelated block work of Albert Frey, as seen on the Palm Springs City Hall Building. Photo ©Darren Bradley

Also, the way that you ascend into the house from a central staircase into a circular central hall makes the house feel as if it is resting cantilevered over a central pillar. The effect reminds one of the Chemosphere, or of the Bell Beach Pavilion. 

Bell Beach Pavilion by Dale Naegle in San Diego. Photo ©Darren Bradley

Looking at the plan from above, you realize that this effect is largely an illusion, as the house is actually designed, structurally, as a fairly conventional square box, supported by the exterior walls. 

Original plans by the architect, Robin Boyd. 

But when inside, the dramatic effect is brilliant and even a bit theatrical, as all good architecture should be. The house is rather small at about 1200 square feet, but its extremely efficient use of space makes it feel somewhat larger. It has a master bedroom with en suite bathroom, an additional guest bathroom, a den, and two other bedrooms, as well as the living and dining rooms. There is even a separate laundry room next to the kitchen!

View of the central atrium with the stairs that access the main entrance. Photo ©Darren Bradley

The interior glass walls divide the rooms, allowing for both light and visual continuity to flow through the entire space, while acting as effective sound barriers between the rooms (which is often a problem with modern homes and their cavernous open spaces). 

Living Room. Photo ©Darren Bradley

Dining area. Photo ©Darren Bradley

The central fireplace forms the main focal point of the interior space. Photo ©Darren Bradley

Photo ©Darren Bradley

Original rendering by the architect, Robin Boyd. 

Owner Paul Lehmann has done an incredible job at preserving and respecting this house, which he acquired in original condition. Not only that, but he has furnished it with appropriate modernist pieces from the time period (many of which were already in the family). I am very grateful to Paul for sharing his home. I look forward to seeing it again on a future trip to Canberra. 

For more information about Robin Boyd, click here... or here.