Guide to the Roger Johnson Collection of Architectural Plans
MFC 8
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Roger Johnson
- Title
- Roger Johnson Collection of Architectural Plans
- Date Range
- c.1941 - c.1989
- Collection Number
- MFC 8
- Extent
- 35 collections in 35 map folders
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Maps)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection includes sets of architectural plans and drafts ordered by year and subject, from 1941-1989. The first series comprises Johnson's university studies commencing 1941, and including his Masters Thesis (1949). The second series covers Johnson's overseas work including East Africa and Burma, and ongoing commissions in Britain. The third and largest series primarily covers Johnson's period in Australia, including work for the University of Western Australia, National Capital Development Commission, Canberra, and other Australian institutions.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/7755182).
Conditions Governing Use
Some maps in this collection are manuscript maps and have perpetual copyright. Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of map item], Roger Johnson Collection of Architectural Plans, National Library of Australia, [item number]'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the National Library of Australia by the Johnson family, 1994.
Separated Materials
View the catalogue record for the Papers of Roger Johnson, 1932-1992 at MS 5319.
Biographical Note
Roger Kirk Hayes Johnson was born in Cumbria, England in 1922. He studied Architecture and served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War from 1942-46. He was held as a German prisoner of war 1944-1945. Johnson's early career as an architect and educator was spent in Britain, Kenya, South Africa and Burma (Myanmar). In 1961, Johnson and his family relocated to Western Australia, and later to Canberra when he took up the role of First Assistant Commissioner for the National Capital Development Commission. Johnson had a varied career as an architect, town planner, academic and author of several books (Design in Balance: Designing the National Area of Canberra, 1968–72 [1974] and The Green City [1979]). He died in 1991 in Bungendore, NSW. Career summary:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1957-1960 | Foundation head of the department of architecture at the University of Rangoon. |
| 1961-1968 | Appointed to the consultant architect's office at the University of Western Australia in 1961, he contributed to the design of individual buildings and a whole campus plan before becoming reader (1965), and then dean (1967), in the Faculty of Architecture. |
| 1968-1972 | First Assistant Commissioner (Architecture), National Capital Development Commission. Johnson brought to this role a "sensitivity to the need to site buildings in harmony with the Australian landscape and his success in planning complex public institutions." (Boden, ADB). "During his time, several large buildings were begun — the Australian National Gallery, the Cameron, Campbell Park, Edmund Barton and west Belconnen offices, and the School of Music." (Obituaries Australia). ) |
| 1972-1973 | Site Planner, Griffith University. |
| 1973-1987 | Foundation Head of the School of Environmental Design at Canberra College of Advanced Education (later the University of Canberra). |
| 1990 | Made Emeritus Professor. |
Item Descriptions
Series 1. University years
Drawings and plans produced for undergraduate (1941-1946) and graduate (1949) studies in architecture at School of Architecture, University of Liverpool. Sheets are signed by R.K.H. Johnson as creator, and many are stamped with "School of Architecture, University of Liverpool" and the year of the degree program.
Subseries. Second year, 1941-1942
Subgrp 3-10. [Series of pencil studies of architects and architectural periods]
Eight pencil studies on paper, each demonstrating different drafting approaches, such as isometric sections, plans, cross sections and elevations. Each study covers a theme, including examples of the work of work of architects Christopher Wren and Inigo Jones, and examples from the periods "Florentine Architecture", "Baroque and Palladian Architecture", "The Italian High Renaissance", "Late French Renaissance", "French Renaissance: Henry IV-Louis XIV", and "Early French Renaissance".
An Architects House working drawings (File 14-18)
Set of drawings and plans of "An Architects House", on 5 sheets. Ink on tracing paper.
Subseries. Third Year, c. 1943?-1947
Subgrp 22-24. An Hotel Swimming Pool
Presentation drawings in ink, pencil and watercolour of "An Hotel Swimming Pool", on 3 sheets. Includes perspective drawings, plans, sections and furniture designs.
Subgrp 25-26. A Rural School
Presentation drawings in ink, pencil and watercolour of "A Rural School", on 2 sheets. Includes perspective drawings, site plans, floor plans and elevations.
Subseries. Miscellaneous Projects, 1947
Subseries. Honours Thesis, 1948-1949
An Arts Centre at Whitehaven, Cumberland (File 49-60)
Set of presentation drawings in ink, pencil and watercolour of an Arts Centre, Cumberland, on 11 sheets. Plans include site and floor plans, exterior elevation drawings, cross sections. Perspective drawings include the theatre, restaurants, lounges, exhibition spaces, and the proposed site in Whitehaven. Also includes a map of Whitehall (Cumberland sheet of Ordinance Survey) mounted on board and framed with artiist' card. Also includes a card exhibition label inscribed "R.K.H. Johnson".
Subgrp 61-72. An Arts Centre at Whitehaven
Set of plan drawings for the "Exhibition and Restaurant Wing" in ink and pen on coated linen, on sheets numbered 1-11 (photocopy of sheet 7 also included). Includes detailed floor plans, roof plans, elevation and cross-section drawings, and detailed structural plans.
Subseries. Rome Scholarship, 1950
A New College at Oxford, "Holluschickie" (File 78-84)
Set of presentation drawings in ink, pencil and watercolour for a new college at Oxford, on 6 sheets (early draft of sheet 1 also included). Includes site, floor and block plans, elevation drawings and cross sections, and perspective drawings of interior and exterior spaces.
Series 2. Professional Projects - Britain, Europe and Africa
Arranged as per Roger Johnson's chronological listing of his key projects.
Subseries. Borough of Wrexham, Wales, 1950-1952
Johnson worked on the design of the Queen's Park subdivision housing project in Wrexham, North Wales, led by Gordon Stephenson, Professor of Civic Design, and J.M Davies, Borough Surveyor, Engineer and Architect. The subdivision was built around the ideas of affordable housing and the need to improve productivity in the building industry post-World War II.
[Photocopy of site plan for Queen's Park Section 2], 28th August 1950 (Item 94)
Subdivision site plan for Q.P.S.2. (Queens Park Section 2). Photocopy.
General
Prof. G. Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Borough Surveyor, & Engineer. R.K.H.J.
Q.P.S.5 - Through-living Room House Types, Series 'B', 14th Nov, 1950 (Item 95)
Floor plans and elevation drawings for "through-living room" house type in Q.P.S.5. (Queens Park Section 5). Photocopy with additional annotations in pencil.
General
Prof. G. Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Borough Surveyor, & Engineer. R.K.H.J.
Borough of Wrexham, Queen's Park South, Section 1 Layout, December 1950 (Item 96)
Site layout for Queen's Park Section 1 showing street plans and site contours. In ink and pencil on coated linen.
General
Prof. G. Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Borough Surveyor, & Engineer. R.K.H.J.
Borough of Wrexham, Queen's Park South, Section 2 Layout, December 1950 (Item 97)
Site layout for Queen's Park Section 2 showing street plans and site contours. In ink and pencil on coated linen.
General
J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Borough Surveyor, & Engineer. Prof. G. Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. R.K.H.J.
Borough of Wrexham, Queen's Park South, Section 1 Layout, January 1951 (Item 98)
Site layout for Queen's Park Section 1 showing street and housing plans. Photocopy.
General
J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Borough Surveyor, & Engineer. Prof. G. Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. R.K.H.J.
Borough of Wrexham, Fireplace Detail, House Types 2B/R 3B/R. Sheet D.4., 25.5.51 (Item 100)
Detailed plans and elevation drawings for fireplace. Photocopy.
General
J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Borough Surveyor, & Engineer. Prof. G. Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. Drawn & traced by R.K.H.J.
Borough of Wrexham, Composite Layout Queen's Park South, 9.7.51 (Item 101)
Site layout for Queen's Park showing block and housing plans. Photocopy.
General
J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Borough Surveyor, & Engineer. Prof. G. Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. Drawn & traced by R.K.H.J.
Borough of Wrexham, Composite Layout Queen's Park South, 26.9.51 (Item 102)
Amended site layout for Queen's Park showing block and housing plans. Includes plans for additional housing types. Photocopy.
General
J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Borough Surveyor, & Engineer. Prof. G. Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. Drawn & traced by R.K.H.J.
Borough of Wrexham, Queen's Park South, Section 1 Layout, Cross Sections 11 to 15, 29.10.51 (Item 106)
Plan showing five cross site sections of section 1. Photocopy.
General
J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Reg. Arch., Borough Engineer. Gordon Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. Drawn by R.K.H.J.
Borough of Wrexham, Queen's Park South, Section 1 Layout, 13.11.51 (Item 107)
Site layout for Queen's Park Section 1 showing house types in section. Photocopy.
General
J.M. Davies, M.I. Mun E. Reg. Arch., Borough Engineer and Surveyor. Gordon Stephenson, AMTPI, AILA. FRIBA. Consultant. Drawn & traced by R.K.H.J.
Subseries. Oceanic Hotel, Mombasa, Kenya
Subseries. Residence at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, for the H.R.H. Aga Khan, 1952-1953
General
Dr. E. May & P'tners, T'nplanner & Architects, Nairobi.
Residence at Dar-es-Salaam for the H.R.H. Aga Khan [elevation sketch], 18.4.52 (Item 121)
Sketches of elevations and perspective drawing of site on tracing paper.
General
R.K.H. Johnson.
Drawing No. 2, May 1952 (Item 122)
Floor plans and elevation drawings. Diazo print.
General
Delt: R.K.H. Johnson.
Drawing No. 6, January 1953 (Item 123)
Floor plans and elevation drawings with measurements. Diazo print.
General
Delt. A. C. Brown, B.Arch.
Drawing No. 7, Feb 1953 (Item 125 (3 copies))
Ground floor plan. 3 copies, all Diazo prints. Copy 1 shows 1 undated revision. Copies 2 and 3 show additional undated revisions.
General
Delt: R.K.H. Johnson. B.Arch, A.R.I.B.A., A.M.T.P.I.
Drawing No. 30, Miscellaneous Details, August 1953 (Item 138 (2 copies))
Detail plans for fixtures. Copy 1 is a preliminary version, Copy 2 is final version with printed banners. 2 copies, Diazo prints.
General
Delt: R.K.H. Johnson.
Subseries. African Neighbourhood
Drwg. Nos 10 & 11, African Neighbourhood, 1953 (Item 149)
Two perspective drawings of neighbourhood scenes. The top drawing is captioned "view from green zone looking towards primary school", and bottom drawing is captioned "view inside neighbourhood unit". Drawing are described in MS 5319 as "Project for low-cost African housing".
General
Dr. E. May & Partners, Architects & Townplanner, Nairobi.
Subseries. Private Project, Headstone, Priory Church, St. Bees, Sept. 1953
Designs for a headstone is in memory of Roger Johnson's mother Mary Stewart Sharpe Johnson, and father William Henry Johnson.
Subseries. House Extension
House extension, Kololo, for firm Deans, Inglis & Partners, A/ARIBA, Chartered Architects, Kampala.
General
Deans, Inglis & Partners, A/ARIBA, Chartered Architects, Kampala.
Subseries. Makerere Demonstration School
Subseries. Royal Technical College, Nairobi, Mens' Hostel
Hostel, Nairobi, for firm Blackburne, Norburn & Partners, Chartered Architects.
General
Blackburne, Norburn & Partners, Chartered Architects, F.F./A.R.I.B.A., Nairobi, Kampala, & Dar-es-Salaam.
Subseries. Development on Plot Fronting Eliot Street, City Square, Nairobi
General
Blackburne, Norburn & Partners, Chartered Architects, F.F./A.R.I.B.A., Nairobi, Kampala, & Dar-es-Salaam.
Subseries. House Johnson, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
Scheme 7, Thistle Street, 26 July 1955 (Item 179 (3 copies))
Floor plan and elevation drawings for residence. Copy 1 is printed on vellum and hand coloured. Copy 2 is printed on paper and annotated. Copy 3 is printed on paper and has a note attached with comments from W.P. Harris.
Drawing No. 1, Nov. 1955 (Item 182 (3 copies))
Site plan, foundation plan, electrification plan and drainage sections. Copy 1 is printed on vellum. Copies 2 and 3 are printed on paper.
General
R.K.H. Johnson, B. Arch, A.R.I.B.A., A.M.T.P.I.
Series 3. Professional Projects - Burma, Australia and USA
Arranged as per Roger Johnson's chronological listing of his key projects.
Subseries. Burma Translation Society
General
Roger Johnson, b. arch., ar.ib.a., amt.pi, chartered architect, R.Pagan road, Rangoon.
Revised Desk for J. Traeger, Esq. and Typist's Desk for J. Traeger, Esq. , 1/4/ Full-Size, 13.06.58 (Item 190)
2 plans on 1 sheet. Pencil and ink on tracing paper. Drwg. no. 3.
Ground Floor Plan, Scale 1' = 4'.0", 25 August 1958 - 26 August 1958 (Item 191 (3 copies))
3 copies. Copy 1 ink and pencil on tracing paper and annotated in pencil (dated 25.08.1958). Copy 2 ink and pencil on tracing paper with areas labelled (dated 26.08.1958). Copy 3 diazo print with cross in red ink covering plan with areas labelled. drwg. no. R5/1.
First Floor Plan, scale 1" = 4'-0", 25 August 1958 - 26 August 1958 (Item 192 (2 copies))
2 copies. Ink and pencil on tracing paper. Copy 1 annotated in pencil (dated 25.08.1958). Copy 2 with areas labelled (dated 26.08.1958). drwg. no. R5/2.
Revised Ground Floor Plan, 07.09.58 (Item 193 (2 copies))
2 copies. Copy 1 ink and pencil on tracing paper with annotations in pencil. Copy 2 diazo print annotated in yellow and grey pencil. drwg. no. R5/3.
Perspective of Publications Research Division, 08.09.58 (Item 194)
Colour pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. R5/4.
Perspective of General Office & Enquiry Desk, 09.09.58 (Item 195)
Colour pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. R5/5.
Merchant Street Sales Room, Scale 1" = 2'-0", 08.10.58 (Item 196 (2 copies))
2 copies. Copy 1 ink on tracing paper. Copy 2 annotated diazo print. drwg. no. R6/1.
Perspective. Merchant Street Sales Room, 09.10.58 (Item 197)
Colour pencil and ink diazo print. drwg. no. R6/2.
Furniture: desk unit for typists & assistant editors, scale: 1/8 full-size, 17.10.58 (Item 198 (2 copies))
2 copies. Copy 1 ink and pencil on tracing paper. Copy 2 diazo print annotated in red. drwg. no. r 5/7.
Furniture: swivel chair, scale: 1/4 full-size, 14 October 1958 - 18 December 1985 (Item 199)
Ink and pencil on tracing paper. drwg. no. R.5/6.
Furniture: Office chair (for use with 28" height desks), Scale: 1/4 full-size, 20.10.58 (Item 200 (2 copies))
2 copies. Copy 1 ink and pencil on tracing paper. Copy 2 and Copy 3 diazo prints. drwg. no. r.5/8.
Furniture: General office & enquiry desks, scale: 1"= 1'-0", 2'-0", 4'-0", & 1/2 f-s, 25.10.58 (Item 201)
9 plans on 1 sheet. Ink and pencil on paper. drwg. no. r 5/9.
Partitions, scale: 1"= 4'-0" & full-size, 31.10.58 (Item 203)
6 plans on 1 sheet. Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r.5/10.
Reference library bookcases, scale: 1"= 1'-0", 2'-0", & 4'-0", & full-size, 03.11.58 (Item 204)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r.5/11.
Furniture & fittings, scale: 1"= 1'-0" & 2'-0" & f-s, 1/2 f-s, & 1/4 f-s, 10.11.58 (Item 205)
5 plans on 1 sheet. Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r 5/12.
Furniture & fittings, scale: 1"= 2'-0", 1/2 & 1/8 f-s, 16.11.58 (Item 206)
5 plans on 1 sheet. Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r.5/13.
Furniture & fittings, scale: 1"= 1'-0" & 2'-0", & 1/8 full-size, 18.11.58 (Item 207)
6 plans on 1 sheet. Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r.5/14.
Furniture & fittings, scale: 1"= 2'-0", 1/8 f-s, & f-s, 20.11.58 (Item 208)
4 plans on 1 sheet. Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r.5/15.
Ceilings to general office & reference library, scale: 1"= 1'-0" & 4'-0", 21.11.58 (Item 209)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r 5/16.
Sun/rain protective screen, west elevation, scale: 1"= 2'-0", 4'-0", & 1/8 f-s, 25.11.58 (Item 210)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r.5/17.
Furniture key & layout, scale: 1"= 4'-0", 28.11.58 (Item 211)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r 5/18.
Electircal layout, scale: 1"= 4'-0", 30.11.58 (Item 212)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r.5/19.
Remodelling key plan, scale: 1"= 4'-0", 03.12.58 (Item 213)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drwg. no. r.5/20.
B.T.S. Showroom. Cash desk & entrance stand, scale: 1"= 1'-0", 1/4 full-size, 1/2 f-s, 02.04.59 (Item 214)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drawing. no. r.6/3.
B.T.S. Showroom. Magazine display stands, scale: 1"= 1'-0"& 1/4 full-size, 08.04.59 (Item 215)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drawing. no. r.6/4.
B.T.S. Showroom. Bookshelves & wall racks, scale: 1/8 and 1/4 full-size, 27.04.59 (Item 216)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drawing. no. r.6/5.
B.T.S. Showroom. Built in work: screen, table & cill, scale: 1"= 1'-0"& 2'-0". 1/4 full-size, 27.04.59 (Item 217)
Pencil and ink on tracing paper. drawing. no. r.6/6.