How did the work of Edmond & Corrigan herald new ideas about pluralism and inclusiveness in architecture within a Post-Modern framework and how was this expressed in their work? PDF

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How did the work of Edmond & Corrigan herald new ideas about pluralism and inclusiveness in architecture within a Post-Modern framework and how was this expressed in their work? Maggie Edmond and Peter Corrigan held a rich and distinct position in Australian Architecture with their practice Edmond and Corrigan, established in 1970s Melbourne. It is without doubt that the dialogue surrounding their works and its importance to the fabric of Australian and international architecture is rooted largely in the expression of inclusion and pluralism. This pluralism 1 lends itself to an architecture that takes on the character of the wider region, both in the sense of the geographical as well as the historical and social factors. These influences form a motif in Edmond & Corrigan’s work, most notably the positioning around the ‘suburb’. Corrigan has “always been an unabashed fan of the suburbs” 2and sees them as a “fabulous source of energy”2, giving it its own imperative and ability to affect their work. This discourse has managed to sediment itself in nearly every project that the firm completed, mostly notably however was in their 1988 project Athan House.

Figure 1: Photograph of Maggie Edmond, John Gollings

Figure 2: Photograph of Peter Corrigan, Simon Schluter

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Keith, Pluralism McCartney, Iconic Australian Houses 2: 70/80/90, pg 36

Figure 3 Athan House (1986-88) in Monbulk, image Robin Boyd Foundation

The Athan House 3 stands on a idyllic, semi-rural site on the fringe of Melbourne suburbia. Created for the Athan family, its brief is quite extraordinary with it being designed for the extended family of up eight people, facilitating the of the cycle of children moving in and out of the home. The expression of diversity rooted in the local vernacular of the city and the inner suburb is unified in this building, reconciling the Australian built fabric into a singular point of understanding. Imagery is conjured up of the suburb with the inclusion of painted brick a medium that was starting to surface and spread throughout the inner city areas, notably the use of painted brick is another medium frequented by the Edmond & Corrigan firm.

Figure 4 Perspective diagram on the range of materiality and readability

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Evans, Symbolic Exchange In The Field Of Architectural Production

The imprint of the suburbs and its physicality is expressed directly through the basic combinations of form in the building, and the outlines of the walls as they transverse from each section of the house to another. There is an extremely interesting disjunction between the main living area and the kitchen, where narrow gaps have been inserted portioning the spaces. Consequentially, the space now invokes the sense of separated structures or spaces that are sitting in commune again evoking the condensed suburbia, an antithesis of what is perceived of living in rurality. This expression of the suburb is again reflected in these plans, with corridors connecting like streets which in turn provide the foundation to move through the space. Each room in turn forms a chapter or a stop along the way as you traverse the house.

Figure 5 Front facade evokes rows of suburban housing in Plan

There’s a degree of turbulence with this work, with materiality included facadial brick, glass, wood, with an overlaying of bright coloured finishes 4. Where the project finds itself is in the dialogue between the innersuburban discourse and itself subsequent rejection of the much-lauded bush5. Where the pluralistic suburb has ingrained itself into form of the building, its pairing between the environment produces a slightly foreign feeling but also one that conveys mutual respect for both mediums. Athans House heralds these ideas of pluralism and inclusiveness and gives merit to diaspora of the suburbs. Its a house where form echoes the inner-city whilst making amends and forming a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding area, making it an iconic Edmond and Corrigan design.

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Conrad,Schaik,Mitsogianni,Callister,Watson, Cities of Hope, 136 Munday, “Passion in the Suburbs”, 54

Works Cited "Athan House". 2018. En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athan_House#cite_note-evansweb-2. Bradley, Keith. 2018. "Pluralism". Fcbstudios.Com. https://fcbstudios.com/explore/view/3#:~:text=The%20word%20'pluralism'%20applied%20to,'%2C%20first%2 0published%20in%201974.&text=Norberg%20%2D%20Schultz%20introduces%20the%20notion,responsive% 20architecture%20of%20a%20place. Evans, D. 2012. "Symbolic Exchange In The Field Of Architectural Production". Web.Archive.Org. https://web.archive.org/web/20120322011014/http://users.tce.rmit.edu.au/e03159/habitus/habitus.html. Hamann, Conrad, Leon Van Schaik, Vivian Mitsogianni, Winsome Callister, and Fleur Watson. 2012. Cities Of Hope. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Pg 1, 5, 136-139 Hyde, Rory. 2013. "The Oeuvre Of Edmond And Corrigan". Architectureau. https://architectureau.com/articles/the-oeuvre-of-edmond-and-corrigan/. McCartney, Karen. 2011. Iconic Australian Houses 2: 70/80/90. Millers Point, NSW: Murdoch Books. 36 Munday, Richard. 1977. "Passion In The Suburbs". Australian Architecture, no. February/March: 52-61....