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Richard Black: River Murray and Tidal Garden Architecture

CAE1102

Summary Note

Richard Black's 2009 PhD Project thesis explores the role of site in the architectural design process. Black developed an architecture that matches the variable nature of the river in flood and drought for the River Murray floodplain, in southern Australia.

Biographical Note

Richard Black is an Australian architect and a Senior Lecturer at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University and is a partner with Michelle Black in Times Two Architects. He has co-authored three books on his teaching and research activities. He spent eight years studying the Murray River, Australia’s most important source of agricultural irrigation, as well as the source of drinking water for Adelaide.

Scope and Content

Richard Black's 2009 PhD Project thesis (ADR, Architectural Design Review), which forms the core of this archive, was titled Site Knowledge: in Dynamic Contexts and explored the role of site in the architectural design process. His research traces overlaps and adjacencies between architecture and landscape with a particular emphasis placed on site analysis as a strategic aspect of the design process. The research was tested out on case study locations along the River Murray floodplain, examining the interaction of built environments and the ecological process of the river. This allowed Black to develop an architecture that matches the variable nature of the river in flood and drought. Materials include a copy of the thesis, perspective drawings, computer generated maps, and research materials.

Arrangement

The Richard Black: Murray River and Tidal Garden Architecture archive is organized into three folders based upon subject. Folder 1 contains project information; and folders 2 and 3 contain project portfolios.

Inclusive Dates

2002-2012

Bulk Dates

2005-2009

Quantity / Extent

.125 cubic feet

Language

English

Related Archive Collections

Related Publications

Black, Richard. Mobile Landscapes. Melbourne, Australia: RMIT University Press, 2006

Black, Richard. Topography. Melbourne, Australia: RMIT University Press, 2004

Black, Richard. “Site Knowledge: In Dynamic Contexts.” Ph.D. diss., RMIT University, School of Architecture and Design, 2009.

Daniel Connel, ed., Uncharted Waters (Australia: Murray - Darling Basin Commission, 2002).

Giesler, Ulla. Water, Curse or Blessing?!: Encouraging Architectural Projects in Asia-Pacific. Berlin, Germany: Aedes, 2011.

Container Listing:

  • ARCH-FILE 6-1

    • Folder 1 Project Information, 2002 – 2012
    • Folder 2 River Murray Project Drawings Portfolio, 2005
    • Folder 3 Ph.D. Thesis Project Portfolio, 2009