The Australian Ugliness

By Robin Boyd

‘It is taken for granted that Australia is ugly’ – Anthony Trollope

Although this opening quote implies that Robin Boyd’s approach to Australian Architecture is one of disdain, it isn’t in the sense that Boyd questions how developers, city planners and government started to create pretty ugly and practical surroundings for it’s citizens. When we think about those blocks of flats that pop up in the inner-west of Sydney, what beautiful Victorian home was there before the demolition of the 1960’s?

Also, fun fact – Robin Boyd was a scion of the illustrious Boyd artistic dynasty in Australia and as well as being an Architect and social commentator, he also drew the light-humoured illustrations in his book! 

Publication date: reprint 1963

Publisher: Australian Pelican Book

Details: Softcover. 256 pp.