Among my mentors, while studying architecture in Sydney in the late 1970s, Philip Cox (along with Glenn Murcutt) was revered as the founding father of Australian vernacular architecture. Now aged eighty-five, Professor Cox has retired from the everyday operations of his international design studio – Cox Architecture.
Having run a private practice in NSW for thirty years, I retired to Hobart a decade ago, drawn, among other attractions, by the city’s human-scale alternative to the towering sameness of mainland metropolises.
Professor Philip Cox is now an advisor for the concept design of most of the firm’s projects and reviews all the designs produced by the practice. He visits all branches on a regular basis and is still involved in the design management of the firm. He is presently active in major overseas projects in the Middle East, Singapore, China and Malaysia and is also an independent Non-Executive Director, Member of ESOS Committee for UEM Sunrise Malaysia.
His was one of the first practices in Australia to recognise Aboriginal heritage, as well as the importance of the vernacular. Commissioned to design the Yulara tourist resort at Ayers Rock, this was his first real test in determining an Australian identity.
More difficult in these terms were the many sports centres he has undertaken. Having followed his career trajectory since my early days in Sydney, I would not be alone in nominating Philip Cox as the most experienced creator of exhibition centres and sports stadiums in the world.
Recently I took the opportunity to write a personal letter (see bottom of page) to my old mentor regarding the Macquarie Point Stadium proposal. I have now received his courteous reply.
Disclaimer: As will be clear, the contents of my private correspondence (withheld) and Professor Cox’s response are not to be taken as originating from Cox Architecture, Melbourne.
An apologetically re-edited version of this (posted mail) letter arrived a week later via email. The embellished version may be due to the realisation of the $37 million contract with the Melbourne firm.
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your letter and your kind words but most importantly your passion for Tasmania and appreciation of the issues related to the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point. Firstly, although I am the founder off Cox Architecture, I resigned from the company some ten years ago although remain as a consultant to the practice on specific projects when requested.
I have not been involved in the Hobart AFL Stadium although I am familiar with the proposal but not the political issues associated. I too appreciate the Salamanca and Sullivans Cove precincts and their 19th century Georgian urban space, by far the finest in Australia. I agree it is as important, or more so, than the remnants of waterfront space we have here in Sydney at the Rocks. The architecture in Hobart is superior, and the fact that the scale of the harbour has been preserved endows the waterfront with a unique scale of Georgian excellence to be found nowhere else.
The first thing I mentioned to the Melbourne studio when the work was commissioned, was the great responsibility they had in examining the proposed site being adjacent to a precinct of great historic architectural and urban importance.
I agree (though not having recently visited Hobart), from the outset, it seemed to me an uncomfortable site for a stadium of such scale, and I questioned the qualifications of those involved in the selection. Since it remains difficult for me to recall a more confined situation, I impressed upon the team that they examine the architectural envelope and whether it would fit without adverse impact within such a sensitive environment. Our brief was for a roofed stadium and (I am told) did not include the supporting ancillaries and connecting infrastructure one would normally expect for a project of this scale.
I was also not aware that Cox Architecture was offered an alternate site in Launceston (Note: my letter did not suggest it was ‘offered’, MBP) nor am I aware of the politics associated with government and the AFL dealings to which you refer. Having now perused the York Park site in question, I agree it would seem a more comfortable and economical fit but, as an architect, you would appreciate we can only work with the cards we’re dealt.
To your question: Could the design that has been developed for Hobart be transferred to York Park, Launceston? The answer must be yes but ignores the politics of the situation.
Mark, you can understand that I cannot give you much help being still a consultant to Cox Architecture who in turn are responsible to their client, essentially the Government of Tasmania.
I am, however, totally sympathetic to your courage and ideals.
Kind Regards,
Philip Cox AO
Mark Pooley is a retired architect living in Hobart.
