Wednesday 1 May 2013

Theme Day - The creative artisan


My creative artisan is one Walter Burley Griffin, an architect by profession, with a reputation built firmly upon the vision he and his wife, Marion, designed and drafted of Canberra in 1912, the Australian national capital. There is a lake in the heart of Canberra, named Lake Burley Griffin. He was born in 1876 near Chicago, and died in India in 1937.


Griffin is my fascination at the moment. I have just moved to a suburb of Sydney called Castlecrag, which Griffin developed from scratch starting in 1921. Griffin, his wife, Marion, and his business partner, Eric Milton Nicholls, designed dozens of houses for the estates, but only 15 were ever built. By them. These 15 are still in existence. I am introducing them gradually. Come on (beckoning). Sit down (gesturing). Listen to his tale (smiling).


View other contributions to this Theme Day from around the world.

19 comments:

diane b said...

That explains your fascination with BWG. Do you like his house designs? I hope it easier to find your way around inside his houses than it is to find your way around Canberra.

Julie said...

I like the way his houses 'nestle' into the surrounding landscape, BUT I would not like to live in one. I like my house to be full of air and light. I like the feeling of the outside coming inside. The layout of Castlecrag is similar, in many respects, to the layout of Canberra. All swirls and curves rather than straight lines and angles.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Looking forward to the remaining 14 Julie..he has such a distinctive style..as you say not sure if I would like to live in one but can appreciate his fascination with the geometric shape and textured stone walls..I like the sculpture very much, he has a most sensitive face don't you think?

Jim said...

I do like his statue.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Chicago, Australia, India...the man really got around.

LONDONLULU said...

His style looks like nothing else I've seen - architects possess such enviable, marvelous skills. Nice statue of the artisan.

LOLfromPasa said...

Interesting architecture and that sculpture is brilliant. Super article for theme day.

Joe said...

He certainly did make his mark on our landscape.

Chrissy Brand said...

What an interesting post- great how you have developed the theme for today Julie.

EG CameraGirl said...

Interesting the flat roofs. What a shame he only completed 15 of his designs in Castlecrag.

brattcat said...

he looks so kind. what a drive to create.

Tanya Breese said...

interesting, only 15....i really like the style of them!

Joan Elizabeth said...

Huh ... a perfect choice for your artisan, give your current fascination.

Julie said...

Interesting that many of you comment upon the 'kindness' that comes across in the sculpture. It is evident in some many of the things that I read about WBG. The bow tie ribbon helps too ...

And yes, he is my current fascination.

Ineke said...

quite a cliff hanger. Looking forward!

Buck said...

It seems this post shows off two artisans. One architect and one Scheherazade! Love your interpretation of the theme!

Julie said...

Hah ... *chuckle* ... she was not bad at leaving 'hooks' was she? One minor issue ... 1001 nights is 2 years 9 months ... and in this time she bore the king three sons ... now 9 x 3 = 27 which is 2 years 3 months ... not much rest for the wicked, is there?

Carraol said...

Very interesting design, simple and beautiful, the ambient looks cozy and inviting! Thanks for visiting.

CaT said...

bow ties are funny. here in the us doctors wear them, seems so old fashioned!!
and who made the sculpture? and where is it located?