Liverpool University Press: JournalsTown Planning Review: Volume 83 (2012), Issue 3: Gordon Stephenson and university planning: a pleasurable professional pursuit

Skip to main content

Garnaut, Christine

Town Planning Review (2012), 83, (3), 377–396.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2012.21
Language: English
Pages: 20

Abstract

Gordon Stephenson's 1992 autobiography, On a Human Scale: A Life in City Design, includes a chapter on university design, a field of endeavour which he remarked gave him ‘a great deal of pleasure’. He turned his attention to this specialisation from the early 1950s and over the next two and a half decades contributed proposals for the redevelopment of existing and the planning of new universities in Canada, Ireland, Australia and Singapore. Drawing largely on published and primary archival sources, this paper surveys this discrete aspect of his career. The focus is on Australia where most of his university consultancies were commissioned. The discussion identifies the context in which he worked, key individuals with whom he collaborated and the planning ideas and principles that helped shape his contributions. It refers to specific projects to illustrate the application of his ideas in two and three dimensional form.

FormatArticle

£25.00

If you have private access to this content, please log in with your username and password here

BAYLISS, N. (1984), ‘Notes on the origins of Murdoch University’ www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/records/misc/Sir%20Noel%20Bayliss%201973.pdf Google Scholar

BIRRELL, J. (1965), ‘Neighbours on the campus: planning at St Lucia and Townsville’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 151-4. ‘Neighbours on the campus: planning at St Lucia and Townsville’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 151 4 Google Scholar

BOLTON, G. (1985), ‘"It had better be a good one": the first ten years of Murdoch University’ www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/records/ItBetterGoodOne.pdf Google Scholar

BROWN, N. (1995), Governing Prosperity: Social Change and Social Analysis in Australia in the 1950s, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Governing Prosperity: Social Change and Social Analysis in Australia in the 1950s Google Scholar

DOBER, R. (1992), Campus Design, New York, John Wiley and Sons. Campus Design Google Scholar

EDWARDS, A. (1972), [Stephenson, Gordon] University News [UWA], April, 5-8. [Stephenson, Gordon] University News 5 8 Google Scholar

FERGUSON, R. J. (1993), Campus at Crawley: The Planning and Architecture of the University of Western Australia, Perth, University of Western Australia Press. Campus at Crawley: The Planning and Architecture of the University of Western Australia Google Scholar

FERGUSON, R. J. and STEPHENSON, G. (1973), Physical Planning Report Murdoch University, Murdoch University Planning Board and Murdoch University, Perth, UWA Press. Physical Planning Report Murdoch University, Murdoch University Planning Board and Murdoch University Google Scholar

‘Flinders University’ (1966), Building and Architecture, 2, 30-43. Google Scholar

FREESTONE, R. (2000), ‘Town, gown and the campus beautiful’ in Garnaut, C. and Hamnett, S. (eds), Fifth Australian Urban History/Planning History Conference Proceedings, Adelaide, University of South Australia, pp. 182-92. ‘Town, gown and the campus beautiful’ 182 92 Google Scholar

GARNAUT, C. (2010), ‘Gordon Stephenson and campus planning in Australia’ in Gulersoy, N., et al., Urban Transformation: Controversies, Contrasts and Challenges, 14th International Planning History Society Conference, Istanbul, Istanbul Technical University, pp. 35-48. ‘Gordon Stephenson and campus planning in Australia’ 35 48 Google Scholar

HARRISON, G. (1965), ‘The planning of Bedford Park - Adelaide's second university’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 154-8. ‘The planning of Bedford Park - Adelaide's second university’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 154 8 Google Scholar

HUNT, J. (2002), ‘The making of a modernist campus: the development of the Ilam campus of the University of Canterbury’, in Haarhoff, E., Brand, D. and Aitken-Rose, E. (eds), Southern Crossings: Proceedings of the Sixth Australasian Urban History/Planning History Conference, Auckland, University of Auckland, pp. 313-34. ‘The making of a modernist campus: the development of the Ilam campus of the University of Canterbury’ 313 34 Google Scholar

PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (1957), Report of the Committee of Australian Universities [Murray Report], Canberra, Commonwealth Government Printer. Google Scholar

PARSONS, K. C. (1998), The Writings of Clarence Stein: Architect of the Planned Community, Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins. The Writings of Clarence Stein: Architect of the Planned Community Google Scholar

PETROW, S. (2008), ‘Modernism in Tasmania: the University of Tasmania moves house’, Tasmanian Historical Studies, 5, 153-74. ‘Modernism in Tasmania: the University of Tasmania moves house’ Tasmanian Historical Studies 5 153 74 Google Scholar

SEDDON, G. and LILLEYMAN, G. (2006), A Landscape for Learning: A History of the Grounds of the University of Western Australia, Perth, UWA Publishing. A Landscape for Learning: A History of the Grounds of the University of Western Australia Google Scholar

BAYLISS, N. (1984), ‘Notes on the origins of Murdoch University’ www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/records/misc/Sir%20Noel%20Bayliss%201973.pdf Google Scholar

BIRRELL, J. (1965), ‘Neighbours on the campus: planning at St Lucia and Townsville’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 151-4. ‘Neighbours on the campus: planning at St Lucia and Townsville’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 151 4 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1965), ‘The physical planning of universities’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 149-51. ‘The physical planning of universities’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 149 51 Google Scholar

BOLTON, G. (1985), ‘"It had better be a good one": the first ten years of Murdoch University’ www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/records/ItBetterGoodOne.pdf Google Scholar

BROWN, N. (1995), Governing Prosperity: Social Change and Social Analysis in Australia in the 1950s, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Governing Prosperity: Social Change and Social Analysis in Australia in the 1950s Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1985), ‘Architecture, town planning and civic design’, Town Planning Review, 56, 135-72. ‘Architecture, town planning and civic design’ Town Planning Review 56 135 72 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1986), Planning for the University of Western Australia: 1914-70. A Review of Past Plans and Future Prospects, Nedlands, Langham Press. Planning for the University of Western Australia: 1914-70. A Review of Past Plans and Future Prospects Google Scholar

DOBER, R. (1992), Campus Design, New York, John Wiley and Sons. Campus Design Google Scholar

EDWARDS, A. (1972), [Stephenson, Gordon] University News [UWA], April, 5-8. [Stephenson, Gordon] University News 5 8 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1992), On a Human Scale: A Life in City Design (ed. C. DeMarco), South Fremantle, Fremantle Arts Centre Press. On a Human Scale: A Life in City Design Google Scholar

FERGUSON, R. J. (1993), Campus at Crawley: The Planning and Architecture of the University of Western Australia, Perth, University of Western Australia Press. Campus at Crawley: The Planning and Architecture of the University of Western Australia Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and HARRISON, G. J. (1964a), The University of Adelaide at Bedford Park: Site Planning Report, Netley, Griffin Press. The University of Adelaide at Bedford Park: Site Planning Report Google Scholar

FERGUSON, R. J. and STEPHENSON, G. (1973), Physical Planning Report Murdoch University, Murdoch University Planning Board and Murdoch University, Perth, UWA Press. Physical Planning Report Murdoch University, Murdoch University Planning Board and Murdoch University Google Scholar

‘Flinders University’ (1966), Building and Architecture, 2, 30-43. Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and HARRISON, G. J. (1964b), A Report on the Redevelopment of the North Terrace Site [Adelaide], University of Adelaide. A Report on the Redevelopment of the North Terrace Site Google Scholar

FREESTONE, R. (2000), ‘Town, gown and the campus beautiful’ in Garnaut, C. and Hamnett, S. (eds), Fifth Australian Urban History/Planning History Conference Proceedings, Adelaide, University of South Australia, pp. 182-92. ‘Town, gown and the campus beautiful’ 182 92 Google Scholar

GARNAUT, C. (2010), ‘Gordon Stephenson and campus planning in Australia’ in Gulersoy, N., et al., Urban Transformation: Controversies, Contrasts and Challenges, 14th International Planning History Society Conference, Istanbul, Istanbul Technical University, pp. 35-48. ‘Gordon Stephenson and campus planning in Australia’ 35 48 Google Scholar

HARRISON, G. (1965), ‘The planning of Bedford Park - Adelaide's second university’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 154-8. ‘The planning of Bedford Park - Adelaide's second university’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 154 8 Google Scholar

HUNT, J. (2002), ‘The making of a modernist campus: the development of the Ilam campus of the University of Canterbury’, in Haarhoff, E., Brand, D. and Aitken-Rose, E. (eds), Southern Crossings: Proceedings of the Sixth Australasian Urban History/Planning History Conference, Auckland, University of Auckland, pp. 313-34. ‘The making of a modernist campus: the development of the Ilam campus of the University of Canterbury’ 313 34 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and STEPHENSON, F. (1966), ‘Planning for the University of Western Australia’, Town Planning Review, 37, 21-36. ‘Planning for the University of Western Australia’ Town Planning Review 37 21 36 Google Scholar

TURNER, P. V. (1984), Campus: An American Planning Tradition, New York and Cambridge, MA, Architectural History Foundation/MIT Press. Campus: An American Planning Tradition Google Scholar

PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (1957), Report of the Committee of Australian Universities [Murray Report], Canberra, Commonwealth Government Printer. Google Scholar

WINSTON, D. (1960), ‘Building our universities’, Vestes, December, 25-8. ‘Building our universities’ Vestes 25 8 Google Scholar

PARSONS, K. C. (1998), The Writings of Clarence Stein: Architect of the Planned Community, Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins. The Writings of Clarence Stein: Architect of the Planned Community Google Scholar

PETROW, S. (2008), ‘Modernism in Tasmania: the University of Tasmania moves house’, Tasmanian Historical Studies, 5, 153-74. ‘Modernism in Tasmania: the University of Tasmania moves house’ Tasmanian Historical Studies 5 153 74 Google Scholar

SEDDON, G. and LILLEYMAN, G. (2006), A Landscape for Learning: A History of the Grounds of the University of Western Australia, Perth, UWA Publishing. A Landscape for Learning: A History of the Grounds of the University of Western Australia Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1965), ‘The physical planning of universities’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 149-51. ‘The physical planning of universities’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 149 51 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1985), ‘Architecture, town planning and civic design’, Town Planning Review, 56, 135-72. ‘Architecture, town planning and civic design’ Town Planning Review 56 135 72 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1986), Planning for the University of Western Australia: 1914-70. A Review of Past Plans and Future Prospects, Nedlands, Langham Press. Planning for the University of Western Australia: 1914-70. A Review of Past Plans and Future Prospects Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1992), On a Human Scale: A Life in City Design (ed. C. DeMarco), South Fremantle, Fremantle Arts Centre Press. On a Human Scale: A Life in City Design Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and HARRISON, G. J. (1964a), The University of Adelaide at Bedford Park: Site Planning Report, Netley, Griffin Press. The University of Adelaide at Bedford Park: Site Planning Report Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and HARRISON, G. J. (1964b), A Report on the Redevelopment of the North Terrace Site [Adelaide], University of Adelaide. A Report on the Redevelopment of the North Terrace Site Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and STEPHENSON, F. (1966), ‘Planning for the University of Western Australia’, Town Planning Review, 37, 21-36. ‘Planning for the University of Western Australia’ Town Planning Review 37 21 36 Google Scholar

TURNER, P. V. (1984), Campus: An American Planning Tradition, New York and Cambridge, MA, Architectural History Foundation/MIT Press. Campus: An American Planning Tradition Google Scholar

WINSTON, D. (1960), ‘Building our universities’, Vestes, December, 25-8. ‘Building our universities’ Vestes 25 8 Google Scholar

BAYLISS, N. (1984), ‘Notes on the origins of Murdoch University’ www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/records/misc/Sir%20Noel%20Bayliss%201973.pdf Google Scholar

BIRRELL, J. (1965), ‘Neighbours on the campus: planning at St Lucia and Townsville’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 151-4. ‘Neighbours on the campus: planning at St Lucia and Townsville’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 151 4 Google Scholar

BOLTON, G. (1985), ‘"It had better be a good one": the first ten years of Murdoch University’ www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/records/ItBetterGoodOne.pdf Google Scholar

BROWN, N. (1995), Governing Prosperity: Social Change and Social Analysis in Australia in the 1950s, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Governing Prosperity: Social Change and Social Analysis in Australia in the 1950s Google Scholar

DOBER, R. (1992), Campus Design, New York, John Wiley and Sons. Campus Design Google Scholar

EDWARDS, A. (1972), [Stephenson, Gordon] University News [UWA], April, 5-8. [Stephenson, Gordon] University News 5 8 Google Scholar

FERGUSON, R. J. (1993), Campus at Crawley: The Planning and Architecture of the University of Western Australia, Perth, University of Western Australia Press. Campus at Crawley: The Planning and Architecture of the University of Western Australia Google Scholar

FERGUSON, R. J. and STEPHENSON, G. (1973), Physical Planning Report Murdoch University, Murdoch University Planning Board and Murdoch University, Perth, UWA Press. Physical Planning Report Murdoch University, Murdoch University Planning Board and Murdoch University Google Scholar

‘Flinders University’ (1966), Building and Architecture, 2, 30-43. Google Scholar

FREESTONE, R. (2000), ‘Town, gown and the campus beautiful’ in Garnaut, C. and Hamnett, S. (eds), Fifth Australian Urban History/Planning History Conference Proceedings, Adelaide, University of South Australia, pp. 182-92. ‘Town, gown and the campus beautiful’ 182 92 Google Scholar

GARNAUT, C. (2010), ‘Gordon Stephenson and campus planning in Australia’ in Gulersoy, N., et al., Urban Transformation: Controversies, Contrasts and Challenges, 14th International Planning History Society Conference, Istanbul, Istanbul Technical University, pp. 35-48. ‘Gordon Stephenson and campus planning in Australia’ 35 48 Google Scholar

HARRISON, G. (1965), ‘The planning of Bedford Park - Adelaide's second university’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 154-8. ‘The planning of Bedford Park - Adelaide's second university’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 154 8 Google Scholar

HUNT, J. (2002), ‘The making of a modernist campus: the development of the Ilam campus of the University of Canterbury’, in Haarhoff, E., Brand, D. and Aitken-Rose, E. (eds), Southern Crossings: Proceedings of the Sixth Australasian Urban History/Planning History Conference, Auckland, University of Auckland, pp. 313-34. ‘The making of a modernist campus: the development of the Ilam campus of the University of Canterbury’ 313 34 Google Scholar

PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (1957), Report of the Committee of Australian Universities [Murray Report], Canberra, Commonwealth Government Printer. Google Scholar

PARSONS, K. C. (1998), The Writings of Clarence Stein: Architect of the Planned Community, Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins. The Writings of Clarence Stein: Architect of the Planned Community Google Scholar

PETROW, S. (2008), ‘Modernism in Tasmania: the University of Tasmania moves house’, Tasmanian Historical Studies, 5, 153-74. ‘Modernism in Tasmania: the University of Tasmania moves house’ Tasmanian Historical Studies 5 153 74 Google Scholar

SEDDON, G. and LILLEYMAN, G. (2006), A Landscape for Learning: A History of the Grounds of the University of Western Australia, Perth, UWA Publishing. A Landscape for Learning: A History of the Grounds of the University of Western Australia Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1965), ‘The physical planning of universities’, Australian Planning Institute Journal, 3, 149-51. ‘The physical planning of universities’ Australian Planning Institute Journal 3 149 51 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1985), ‘Architecture, town planning and civic design’, Town Planning Review, 56, 135-72. ‘Architecture, town planning and civic design’ Town Planning Review 56 135 72 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1986), Planning for the University of Western Australia: 1914-70. A Review of Past Plans and Future Prospects, Nedlands, Langham Press. Planning for the University of Western Australia: 1914-70. A Review of Past Plans and Future Prospects Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1992), On a Human Scale: A Life in City Design (ed. C. DeMarco), South Fremantle, Fremantle Arts Centre Press. On a Human Scale: A Life in City Design Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and HARRISON, G. J. (1964a), The University of Adelaide at Bedford Park: Site Planning Report, Netley, Griffin Press. The University of Adelaide at Bedford Park: Site Planning Report Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and HARRISON, G. J. (1964b), A Report on the Redevelopment of the North Terrace Site [Adelaide], University of Adelaide. A Report on the Redevelopment of the North Terrace Site Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. and STEPHENSON, F. (1966), ‘Planning for the University of Western Australia’, Town Planning Review, 37, 21-36. ‘Planning for the University of Western Australia’ Town Planning Review 37 21 36 Google Scholar

TURNER, P. V. (1984), Campus: An American Planning Tradition, New York and Cambridge, MA, Architectural History Foundation/MIT Press. Campus: An American Planning Tradition Google Scholar

WINSTON, D. (1960), ‘Building our universities’, Vestes, December, 25-8. ‘Building our universities’ Vestes 25 8 Google Scholar

If you have private access to this content, please log in with your username and password here

Details

Author details

Garnaut, Christine

Search in Google Scholar