MS 5543
Papers of Walter Bunning
Creator: Walter Bunning
Title: Papers
Date range: 1932-76
Extent 0.64 metres (3 boxes) + 27 folio items
Reference number: MS 5543
Access: Available for reference
Provenance: Walter Bunning
presented his papers to the National Library in December 1976, ten months
before his death.
Related materials: Other material on Walter Bunning is held at MS
7332.
Scope and Content
The papers consist of correspondence, reports, plans, specifications,
and newspaper-cutting books, photograph albums, official publications and
issues of journals. They document Bunning's early work as an architectural
writer, records of the architectural firm of Bunning and Madden (1945 and 1976)
and papers relating to the official inquiries on planning matters that Bunning
undertook in the last ten years of his life. Of special interest are the papers
relating to the design and construction of the National Library building, which
Bunning regarded as his greatest achievement.
Organisation
The papers have been organised into eleven Series that cover both the
personal and professional aspects of Bunning's life.
Biographical Note
Walter Ralston Bunning was born in Brisbane on 19 May 1912 and was
educated at the Slade School at Warwick, Queensland. He studied architecture at
the Sydney Technical College, where he won the Kemp Medal in 1933. In 1937 the
New South Wales Board of Architects awarded him a two-year travelling
scholarship and he worked in several London architectural offices. He wrote
many articles in journals and newspapers on architectural topics and his strong
belief that buildings should be designed to suit the Australian environment was
elaborated in his book Homes in the sun, published in 1945.
In 1945 Bunning established an architectural practice in Sydney and a
year later he formed a partnership with Charles Madden. The firm of Bunning and
Madden was responsible for the design of many outstanding buildings in Sydney
and Canberra, including Anzac House, International House at the University of
Sydney, and the National Library of Australia. Bunning was Chairman of the New
South Wales Town and Country Planning Advisory Committee from 1945-64 and the
New South Wales Government made frequent use of his expertise as a planner. He
was a member of the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority from 1970 to 1977. In
1958 he was appointed a trustee of the New South Wales Art Gallery and he was
Vice-President from 1960 to 1974 and president until his death. He was awarded
the C.M.G. in 1975.
Walter Bunning died in Sydney on 13 October 1977. He was survived by
his wife Gillian, whom he had married in 1944.
Sources: Who's who in Australia, 1977
Obituary, Sydney morning herald, 15 October 1977
Bunning Papers
Series List
Series Title
Personal and general papers, 1932-75
Bunning and Madden, architects, 1945-72
National Library of Australia, 1961-72
Paddington Area Development, 1968
Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority, 1960-76
Moore Park Sports Area, 1972-76
Myall Lakes Inquiry, 1969-74
Environmental Impact Policy, 1973
Parliament House, Canberra, 1963-69
Art Gallery of New South Wales, 1975-76
Sydney Opera House, 1955-73
Series Description
Series 1 Personal
and General Papers, 1932-75
This series contains diverse papers relating to many aspects of
Bunning's life and work. In particular, there are papers relating to his early
work as an architect and architectural writer. The papers have been divided
into the following groups:
Correspondence, newspaper cuttings and medals relating to his academic
successes at the Sydney Technical College, from which he graduated in 1933.
Reprints from architectural journals and newspaper articles by Bunning
written between 1937 and 1954. They include a series of articles on domestic
architecture, which were published in Country life stock and station
journal, 1945-48.
A copy of Bunning's book, Homes in the sun: the past,
present and future of Australian housing (Sydney, Nesbit, 1945) and a
scrapbook of reviews of the book.
A file of letters and reports sent by Bunning to his wife and to his
partners in the firm of Bunning and Madden during his overseas trips in 1961
and 1965. They describe city planning and many buildings in Britain, the United
States, Europe, South America and India; Bunning showed a special interest in
the design of university buildings.
Photographs of Bunning taken between 1945 and 1975.
There is also an album containing, inter alia, cuttings of a
general nature about Bunning and his wife in Series 4.
Item
| 1 |
Red covered scrapbook, 1933-45 |
| |
Academic records |
| |
Travelling Scholarship |
| |
Various writings |
| |
Secretary MARS Group |
| |
Radio talks |
| 2 |
Bound dark-blue volume 1940-42. Various writings for
Leon Gellert's Home |
| 3 |
Scrapbook of reviews in "Landseer Drawing Book,"
1934-45 |
| 4 |
Commonwealth Housing Commission's Final Report: 25th
August 1944. |
| 5 |
Journal scrapbook. Articles for Country
Life, 1945-47 |
| 6 |
House and Garden, (U.K edition) p. 42-45.
House at Palm Beach for Ashley Buckingham, 1952 |
| 7 |
Daily Mail Ideal Home Book, p. 48. "House at
Quakers Hat Bay," 1955 |
| 8 |
Architecture in Australia: a history by J.M.
Freeland, 314p., 1967 |
| 9 |
Letters from Bunning to wife, partners and articles
on overseas observations, 1961-1965 |
| 10 |
A portfolio of sketches, 1936-44 (Folio item) |
| 11 |
Kemp Memorial Medal, awarded in 3rd Year at Sydney
Technical College, 1934 |
| 12 |
Australian Medallion, awarded by Board of Architects
in N.S.W. to winners of the Travelling Scholarship, 1937. |
| 13 |
Various photographic portraits |
Series 2 Bunning and Madden, Architects, 1945-72
In 1945 Bunning established an architectural practice in Sydney and
twelve months later Charles Madden joined him. Following Madden's death in July
1960, Bunning took Kevin Smith and Noel Potter into the partnership. By the
time of Bunning's death in 1977, the firm had been associated with many
outstanding buildings in Sydney and Canberra. It won the Royal Institute of
British Architects Bronze Medal (1958), the Sir John Sulman Medal (1960) and
the C.S. Daley Award (1969).
The series contains two volumes of newspaper cuttings describing some
of the buildings designed by Bunning and Madden between 1945 and 1972. They
include many cuttings on the National Library of Australia, International House
at the University of Sydney, and the Captain Cook Memorial in Canberra. An
album of photographs illustrating the firm's major works complements the
cutting books. There are also issues of Architecture in Australia and
Deutsche Bauzeitschrift and a copy of the book, New buildings in
the Commonwealth, edited by J.M. Richards (London, Architectural Press,
1961). These publications have articles on Anzac House, Sydney, and the
Australian Atomic Energy Commission headquarters at Lucas Heights.
In 1970, to mark the completion of twenty-five years of architectural
practice, the partnership published a book entitled, The work of Bunning
and Madden, architects and town planners. In addition to a copy of this
work, there are two volumes of letters received by Bunning from guests at a
dinner to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the partnership.
Item
1 Guard Minute Book. Newspaper clippings, Work of Bunning and Madden,
Architects, 1945-1969
2 Brown covered scrapbook, 1945-1960 Photographs of the Work of
Bunning and Madden.
3 Issue of Architecture in Australia, 1957, Anzac House.
4 Deutch Bauzeirshrift, 1960 Atomic Energy Commission at
Lucas Heights.
5 New Buildings in the Commonwealth, 1961 Includes Anzac
House and Lucas Heights
6 The Work of Bunning and Manning, written to mark 25 years
of private practice, 1970
7 Book of press-cuttings on the National Library, 1968-1972
8 Letters received in respect to celebrate 25 years practice
dinner.
Series 3 National Library of Australia, 1961-72
In 1961 the firm of Bunning and Madden was commissioned by the
National Capital Development Commission to design a building for the National
Library of Australia in Canberra, Walter Bunning was the partner responsible
for the design of the building. In 1964, after the design was approved and
tendering was completed, the firm set up an office in Canberra under Noel
Potter. The importance of the building was recognised when the retiring Prime
Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, laid the foundation stone on 31 March 1966.
Another Prime Minister, John Gorton, opened the building on 15 August 1968.
The papers relate to the design and construction of the building,
1960-68, and to modifications and additions which were carried out in 1969-70.
The earliest papers are the plans, specifications and general proposals
submitted to the Government by Bunning and Madden in 1960 and they are followed
by the report, which accompanied the final sketch plan in 1962. There are also
plans and proposals for the extension of the Lower Ground 1 floor in 1970.
Among the correspondence and reports on the design of the Library is a letter
from the specialist consultant, Dr Keyes Metcalf, dealing with space
considerations.
Many of the papers are concerned with the Library's entrance foyer and
exhibition areas and with the design and installation of works of art. Bunning
wrote reports in 1962 and 1965 on the general principles underlying the
exhibition areas and the design of art works. There is correspondence between
Bunning and Mathieu Mategot, Leonard French and Tom Bass dealing with the
tapestries, stained-glass windows and copper sculpture in the entrance foyer.
There are also notes on the art works and exhibition areas, prepared by Bunning
for meetings with the National Library Council and the Commonwealth Art
Advisory Board. In 1969 some modifications were made to the foyer and Bunning
received reports from A.J. Robinson and Ian Cook of the National Library
staff.
The series also contains the draft and the brochure prepared by
Bunning for the opening ceremony, an issue of the journal Architecture
today (August 1968) and a volume of newspaper cuttings mainly relating to
the opening of the building in August 1968. They include an article in the
Canberra times on Bunning and his role in the construction of the
National Library building.
Item
1 Original submission to N.C.D.C. in bound volume of photographs
for National Library, for consideration for appointment as Architects for
National Library Building, 1960 (Folio item)
2 Green covered report-accompanying plans, being final sketch plan for
National Library Building, 1962
3 File of Letters - correspondence with Mathieu Mategot, Tom Bass and
Leonard French, 1962-68
4 File of letters on search for Henry Moore sculpture.
5 File of various articles on the National Library, together with
letters commenting on the design.
6 Brochure Showing the Completion of LG1 in National Library; cuttings
on the National Library, 1970, International House and Captain Cook Memorial and Jet, 1968.
7 Architecture Today: cover picture and article on National
Library.
8 National Library of Australia, Brochure for opening ceremony,
1968
9 Book of press cuttings, 1968-1972
Series 4 Paddington
Area Development, 1968
In February 1968 Bunning was appointed a commissioner to inquire and
report on the plans of the New South Wales Government to construct three major
traffic outlets through Paddington, an inner Sydney suburb. The Minister for
Local Government, P.H. Morton, following protests from residents of Paddington
and Woollahra, ordered the inquiry. It lasted five days and fifty-four
witnesses gave evidence.
In his report to the Minister in March 1968, Bunning recommended that
Paddington be declared an historical area protected from highway traffic. In
addition to the report there is an album of newspaper cuttings concerning the
inquiry. The album also contains some general cuttings about Bunning and his
wife.
Item
1 Report on the Paddington Area, following a public inquiry, 1968
2 Scrapbook of newspaper clippings on the Paddington enquires. Also
includes some social photographs, 1968 (Folio item)
Series 5 Sydney
Cove Redevelopment Authority, 1960-76
The Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority Act came into force in 1968
and in 1970 Bunning was appointed one of the six members of the Authority. Its
function was to advise the New Southern Wales Government on the redevelopment
of the Rocks area of Sydney and in 1971 it released the first plans. They were
expected to take at least fifteen years to implement.
The papers in this series document both the events that led up to the
creation of the Authority in 1968 and its work from 1970 to 1976. There is a
copy of the brochure issued by the Government in 1960 inviting developers to
submit schemes for the redevelopment of the Rocks area and an issue of
Architecture in Australia (June 1963) summarising and illustrating the
nine proposals submitted. The Government rejected these proposals and instead
commissioned a report by Sir John Overall. It was presented in 1967. Other
official papers include the plan devised by the Authority and submitted in
December 1970, a statement on the financial basis of redevelopment, and a
brochure entitled The Rocks, birthplace of the Australian nation,
published by the Authority in 1976. The Royal Australian Planning Institute
(1972), W.D. Scott and Company (1973) and UDPA Planners (1974) also prepared
reports on the redevelopment of the Rocks area and public attitudes to the
Authority's scheme. Finally, there is an issue of the journal Concept
(March 1971), containing an article by Bunning describing the Authority's
plans, and an album of newspaper cuttings, 1970-76.
Item
1 Original State Government brochure, inviting developers to submit
re-development schemes for the ROCKS area, 1960-1961
2 Architecture in Australia illustrating the 9 schemes
submitted in reply to above, 1963
3 Sir John Overall's report on the Rocks area following rejection of
the above schemes by the new Liberal State Government, 1967
4 Act No. 56, 1968 pamphlet containing the articles of the
Act, that was passed to establish the new Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority,
which Bunning was, appointed architect member in December 1969
5 Sydney Cove Redevelopment Scheme brochure as submitted by
the Authority to the State Government. Signed by Members of Authority on second
page, 1970
Sydney Cove Redevelopment Scheme - Financial Analysis,
brochure as submitted by the Authority to the State Government, 1970
7 Concept - A description of the Rocks Scheme, 1971
8 A criticism of the Rocks Scheme by the Royal Australian Planning
Institute, N.S.W. Division, 1972
9 W.D Scott & Co. Pty Ltd. letter referring to the supply of
office floor space in the City, 1973
10 A Re-examination of the Rocks scheme by the original planners,
1974
11 Newspaper clippings referring to the Rocks Scheme, 1970-1976
12 The Rocks, birthplace of the Australian Nation, 1976
Series 6 Moore Park sports area, 1972-76
In 1972 Bunning was asked by the New South Wales Government to review
plans for a major sports stadium at Moore Park in Sydney. In his report,
presented in February 1973, he recommended an area at Homebush Bay on the
Parramatta River as the best site for an Olympic Games stadium. In addition to
the report, there is a volume of newspaper cuttings, 1972-76, and a report of
the Moore Park Committee, of which Bunning was chairman, discussing the future
use of the Army Engineers' Depot at Moore Park.
Item
1 Report on inquiry into the Olympic Games proposal for Moore Park,
Sydney, and proposed alternative site at Homebush Bay, 1973
2 Newspaper clippings regarding the proposal in scrapbook, 1972-1976
(Folio item)
3 Moore Park Development and the future use of the Army Engineer's
Depot, 1976
Series 7 Myall Lakes inquiry, 1969-74
This series contains a copy of the report of a committee of inquiry,
of which Bunning was chairman, on sand mining in the Myall Lakes region near
Newcastle. It was presented to the New South Wales Government in January 1974.
Bunning recommended that mining be prohibited on the high sand dunes along the
shore of Lake Myall but that it is permitted elsewhere. Apart from the report,
there is a cutting book and a copy of the national park proposal put forward by
Clarke, Gazzard and partners for the Myall lakes Committee in 1969.
Item
1 Original typed copy of the Report on the Mining of the High Duties
adjoining the Heal-Smith Lakes, following a public inquiry, 1974
2 Report on the National Park proposal for the Myall Lakes proposal
for above inquiry, 1974 (Folio item)
3 Newspaper clippings in scrapbook of the Myall Lakes inquiry,
1973-1974
Series 8 Environmental impact policy, 1973
In June 1973 Bunning prepared a report for the New South Wales
Government on the draft of a publication to be issued by the Minister for
Environmental Control, entitled Manual for assessment of environmental
impact in New South Wales. Copies of the Manual and Bunning's
report are held in the collection.
Item
1 A Report and Comment on the Draft Manual for Assessment of
Environmental Impact in New South Wales made to the Minister for Environmental
Control following a public inquiry, 1973
2 The manual accompanying the Report on the Draft Manual for
Assessment of Environmental Impact in New South Wales, 1973
Series
9 Parliament House, Canberra, 1963-69
In March 1969 Bunning gave evidence to the Joint Select Committee on
the New and Permanent Parliament House, in which he proposed that the building
by erected on Camp Hill. In addition to his written submission there is a copy
of a report by William Holford and Partners to the National Capital Development
Commission entitled Capital Hill and the Parliamentary Triangle
(1963).
Item
1 Capital Hill and the Parliamentary Triangle, Report by
William Holford & Partners, 1963
2 Observations on the Permanent Parliament House by the President of
the Senate, 1964-65
3 Evidence submitted to the Joint Select Committee of the New and
Permanent Parliament House by Walter Bunning, 1969
Series 10 Art
Gallery of New South Wales, 1975-76
Bunning was President of the Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South
Wales from 1974-77. This series consists of a volume of photographs taken at
the opening of the Modern Masters Art Exhibition in April 1975 and a cutting
book relating to the controversy surrounding the award of the Archibald Prize
to John Bloomfield in 1976. The award was withdrawn and given instead to Kevin
Connor after the Trustees had decided that the painting by Bloomfield did not
comply with a condition of the prize, namely, that the portrait must be painted
from life.
Item
1 Newspaper clippings of Archibald Prize controversy and other items,
1976 (Folio item)
2 Photographs of the opening ceremony of the Modern Masters
Exhibition - Manet to Matisse at Art Gallery of N.S.W., 1975
Series
11 Sydney Opera House, 1955-73
Bunning took a deep interest in the design and construction of the
Sydney Opera House and from 1955 to 1973 he assembled four large cutting books
on this subject. They include Bunning's own letters to newspapers dealing with
the original design. The series also has an issue of the RIBA Journal
(February 1967), containing an article on Joern Utzon and the Sydney Opera
House.
Item
Four scrapbooks of cuttings referring to Sydney Opera House, outlining
the whole controversy about technical in-adequacy and mounting cost, 1957-73
(Folio items)
ADDITION 1981
Various architectural plans of buildings in Canberra and Sydney that
Bunning designed are held in a map cabinet.
Item
Architectural plans of ANZAC House in Canberra, 1965
Architectural plans of Quaker Hat Bay
Sketch Plans of the Ground floor of the National Library of Australia,
1962
ADDITION 19 November 1981 Item
1 Certificate of Bunning's election as a life fellow of the Royal
Australian Planning Institute, signed by the President and Secretary of the
Institute 14 August, 1976
Sir John Sulman Medal, 1960
3 C.S. Daley Award, 1969
Box list
|
Box |
Series |
Item |
|
1 |
1 |
2-6,8 |
|
2 |
1 |
9,11,12,14 |
|
2 |
2 |
1,3-6 |
|
2 |
3 |
3-5 |
|
3 |
3 |
7,8 |
|
3 |
4 |
1 |
|
3 |
5 |
1-4,7-10,12 |
|
3 |
6 |
1,3 |
|
3 |
7 |
1,3 |
|
3 |
8 |
1,2 |
|
3 |
9 |
1,3 |
|
3 |
11 |
5 |
Folio List
|
Folio |
Series |
Item |
|
- |
1 |
1,10,13 |
|
- |
2 |
2,7,8 |
|
- |
3 |
1,2,6, |
|
- |
4 |
2 |
|
- |
5 |
5,6,11 |
|
- |
6 |
2 |
|
- |
7 |
2 |
|
- |
10 |
1,2 |
|
- |
11 |
1-4 |
|
- |
Addition 1981 |
1-3 |
|
- |
Addition 19/11/81 |
2-3 |
1978. Updated August 2000