New exhibition to explore Robin Boyd's fascination with Japanese architecture

The Robin Boyd Foundation, in collaboration with NMBW Architecture Studio and Cibi, will host an exhibition that explores mid-century Japanese architecture and design culture in deference to Boyd's fascination with Japan.

The When Robin Boyd Went to Japan exhibition is inspired by a period in which Boyd was frequently visiting, observing, thinking and writing about Japanese architects and architecture.

Boyd visited Japan in the 1960s and later held the position of exhibition architect at the Australian Pavilion during the Osaka Expo '70. The 1960s was an era when Japanese architects' rose to prominence internationally. Boyd was both part of the dissemination of knowledge regarding Japanese design, and indisputably influenced by the work he saw. A significant topic of discussion within Japanese design culture at the time was how the beauty and specificity of everyday life in Japan could be retained whilst huge post-war social and economic change was taking place, along with urban reconstruction, modernization and westernization all at once.

"By exploring physical models of selected Japanese architect-designed houses from the 1950s to 1970s are presented, as well as 1:1 adaptations of Walsh Street, including bringing Japanese designer items into the home and making a library space for displaying documents from Boyd's travels - we can imagine the kinds of cultural interactions Boyd engaged in," said Marika Neustupny who curated the exhibition with Nigel Bertram of NMBW Architecture Studio.

When Robin Boyd Went to Japan will run between 18 February and 10 March 2024 at the Robin Boyd Foundation house in South Yarra, Melbourne. To find out more visit the Robin Boyd Foundation's website.