Born:
1936 in London, England
Primary Residence:
Sydney, Australia
Education:
Studied architecture at the University of New South Wales from 1956 to 1961
The Pritzker Prize-winning architect Glenn Murcutt is not a builder of skyscrapers. He doesn't design grand, showy structures or use flashy, luxurious materials. Instead, Australian architect Glenn Murcutt pours his creativity into smaller projects that let him work alone and design economical buildings that will conserve energy and blend with the environment (Beck and Cooper 2002, 4). All of his buildings are located in Australia.
Glenn Murcutt was inspired by the Californian architecture of Richard Neutra and Craig Ellwood, and the crisp, uncomplicated work of Scandinavian architect Alvar Aalto (Gusheh 2004, 34). However, Murcutt's designs quickly took on a distinctively Australian flavor.
Murcutt chooses materials that can be produced easily and economically: Glass, stone, brick, concrete, and corrugated metal. He pays close attention to the movement of the sun, moon, and seasons, and designs his buildings to harmonize with the movement of light and wind.
Many of Murcutt's buildings are not air conditioned. Resembling open verandas, Murchutt's houses suggest the simplicity of Farnsworth House of Mies van der Rohe, yet have the pragmatism of a sheepherder's hut (Gusheh 2004, 38).
The Aboriginal proverb - 'touch the earth lightly' - plays a central role in the inception of his designs, solidifying the intimiate relationship between the built and natural environment (Murcutt 2003, 7).
Further Reading
- Touch This Earth Lightly: Glenn Murcutt in His Own Words
- Glenn Murcutt: A Singular Architectural Practise
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