Empathetic Architecture – Neeson Murcutt Neille: Setting Architecture by Anna Johnson and Richard Black

Neeson Murcutt Neille: Setting Architecture is the second in a series of Australian architectural monographs published by Thames & Hudson Australia in collaboration with RMIT University School of Architecture and Urban Design. Reflecting on the relationship between the architecture of Neeson Murcutt Neille and its environmental and cultural setting, authors Anna Johnson and Richard Black weave together a story of landscape, culture and history to situate the practice’s highly influential work within the context of contemporary Australian architecture.

Covering a range of residential, civic and commercial projects, the book highlights how Neeson Murcutt Neille’s work is informed by the bonds between people and place. Exploring the stories and themes inherent within the designs, Senior Lecturer in Architecture with RMIT School of Architecture and Urban Design Anna Johnson and Associate Professor in Architecture Richard Black provide a detailed analysis of the buildings’ contribution to public and private life. Accompanying their research with images, design sketches and reflections from designers and architects at Neeson Murcutt Neille, the authors trace the practice’s intentions and approach through exploration of form, materiality and detail.

Accompanying their research with images, design sketches and reflections from designers and architects at Neeson Murcutt Neille, the authors trace the practice’s intentions and approach through exploration of form, materiality and detail.

The nuanced responses to landscape, history, identity, community, culture and place that characterise Neeson Murcutt Neille’s work are represented throughout 10 chapters, each chapter focusing on different ideas, such as setting, storytelling, logic and culture. From the first, “Setting and Territories: Tapestries of Place,” the authors begin to unravel the relationship between community and landscape, discussing projects such as the revitalisation of Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park and Pool – a landmark civic project that exemplifies the practice’s responses to landscape.

Accompanying each of the studied projects that follow, design drawings, notes and research have been combined and intricately employed to help readers understand how Neeson Murcutt Neille deeply engages with the context of each project. Additionally, throughout the book, under the headings ‘Lightness’, ‘Material’, ‘Double Skin’ and ‘Dressed and Undressed’, supplementary text by architects Rachel Neeson and Stephen Neille provides reflections that capture the practice’s responses to each studied project, including the prominent Shipwreck Lookout and Australian Museum Crystal Hall.

Reflecting upon the impact of the practice’s work generally, in the discipline as a whole, and specifically, in terms of each site, the book is a significant contribution to the understanding of both Australian architecture and Neeson Murcutt Neille’s legacy.

The nuanced responses to landscape, history, identity, community, culture and place that characterise Neeson Murcutt Neille’s work are represented throughout 10 chapters, each chapter focusing on different ideas, such as setting, storytelling, logic and culture.

Neeson Murcutt Neille: Setting Architecture challenges readers to think deeply about the connection between architecture and environment. Reflecting upon the impact of the practice’s work generally, in the discipline as a whole, and specifically, in terms of each site, the book is a significant contribution to the understanding of both Australian architecture and Neeson Murcutt Neille’s legacy.