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The work of an architect who, over a career spanning seven decades, changed the landscape of Perth with his innovative houses, flats, schools and churches will be celebrated at a retrospective exhibition at The University of Western Australia.

Raymond Jones gave 1950s Perth its first backyard swimming pools surrounded by native trees, as well as breakfast bars, showers over baths, solar hot water, concealed lighting, island benches with two-way drawers and open-plan living areas divided by cabinetry.

He designed six Catholic churches including Broome's Nulungu Chapel and apartment buildings including the Williams Flats in Broome Street, Cottesloe, and the Ruse Flats in Kanimbla Road, Nedlands.  He also designed the Winterfold Primary School.

Dean of UWA's Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, Winthrop Professor Simon Anderson, said Jones, who disapproved of air-conditioning, pioneered ecological designs that made use of cross-ventilation and insisted on the importance of exterior spaces for family life.

Born in 1925 in Geelong, Jones was trained at the University of Melbourne by well-known architects including Robin Boyd.  On graduation, he was part of a design team that won a competition for an Olympic stadium at Carlton and worked on housing for the new town of Eildon, built to support the construction of the Eildon Dam.

"He moved to Perth in 1953 and, as a still-practising architect, continues to inspire a new generation of young architects to continue his mission," Professor Anderson said.

The retrospective, titled Raymond Jones Architectural Projects, is in the Faculty's Cullity Gallery.  It starts today and runs until 8 April.  The exhibition, curated by Professor Anderson and Faculty graduate Andrew Murray, features the original drawings of more than 50 projects and is accompanied by a 152-page catalogue covering each project.  It was sponsored by Boral Midland Brick and 10 leading Perth and national architectural practices.

For more information, contact ALVA Reception on (+61 8) 6488 2582.

Media references

Winthrop Professor Simon Anderson (+61 8)  6488 2589
(Dean UWA Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts)
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716