Peter Johnson further papers

MLMSS 12177/Box 1X

fonds

1961-2003

9680869

0.42 metres of textual material (1 outsize box), includes photographs - typescript

Richard Norman (Peter) Johnson was born on 15 December 1923 in Armadale, Victoria. After studying engineering for one year at Sydney Technical College in 1941, he enlisted as a Cadet Engineer in the Army, later transferring to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was sent to Canada for training. He then went to England, where he met Jane Meade-Waldo, whom he married on 24 March 1944 with whom he had three children. On 11 April 1944, Johnson's plane was shot down during a bombing mission over France, however Johnson and his navigator both survived. Johnson was hidden by the French Resistance in and around Amiens until the town was liberated on 31 August 1944.

Following the Second World War, Johnson studied architecture at the University of Sydney, School of Architecture, and then entered the architectural firm of Kenneth McConnel. In 1954, Stanley Smith joined the firm and they founded McConnel, Smith and Johnson. In 1960, Johnson became the founding president of the Architectural Society. In 1967, he was appointed Professor of Architecture at the University of Sydney and was head of undergraduate studies from 1968 to 1986. In 1988, he became chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney. He won numerous awards, held various teaching and fellow positions and, in the 1990s, the building for the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building at the University of Technology Sydney was named after him. He died on 8 May 2003.

References:
Design & Art Australia Online. "Peter (Richard Norman) Johnson". Accessed 20 June 2024. https://www.daao.org.au/bio/peter-richard-norman-johnson/biography/

Wikipedia. "Peter Johnson (architect)". Accessed 20 June 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Johnson_(architect)

Ryerson Index. "Peter Johnson". Accessed 20 June 2024. https://ryersonindex.org/search.php

Collection by descent to the donor, Peter Johnson's daughter-in-law.

Papers relating to the work of architect Peter Johnson and his work at McConnel, Smith and Johnson architectural practice.

Document outlining the aims and purpose of McConnel, Smith and Johnson architects dated 8 July 1963.

Architectural reports for the re/development of Swire House at 8 Spring Street, Sydney, November 1961; New South Wales Leagues Club at 165 Phillip Street, Sydney, March 1968; Commonwealth State Law Courts at Queens Square, Sydney, September 1968; report including photographic timeline of Horbury Terrace at 126-139 Phillip Street, Sydney, completed 23 December 1975; Housing Commission of NSW Site 8907 in North Ryde, May 1984; School of Military Engineering at Casula, April 1986

Print-outs of 3 documents outlining biographical information of Kenneth H. McConnel, one by Peter Johnson

Print-out of transcription by John Casey Taylor of the War Diary of N.S. Taylor, 17 August to 11 December 1940, with cover letter from John to Peter [Johnson], dated 13 April [IV] 1999

Program for the Conferment Ceremony for Doctor of the University Emeritus Professor R N (Peter) Johnson AO, Friday 16 April 1999

Program for the memorial ceremony at the University of Technology Sydney for Peter Johnson AC, Friday 23 May 2003

2 copies of Architecture Australia magazine, 2007, featuring "MSJ The First Forty Years".

4 photographic prints: 1 of Peter Johnson at a presentation in front of a board "Reversible Destiny"; 2 at an outdoor gathering with children giving a presentation; 1 of a large group of people posed in front of a building, stamped on recto "Photography by David Moore".

Photocopies of architectural drawings for the University of Sydney Law School, corner of Phillip, King and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney, January 1967

Print-out of "MSJ Architecture of Social Purpose"; "[a] book based on a critical essay by Jennifer Taylor documenting McConnel Smith & Johnson's work from 1954 to 1993. The first section of the book contains descriptions of key projects completed since 1993 and an expression of the values the practice has sought consistently to apply." Annotated throughout with feedback notes, possibly by Peter Johnson. The book remains unpublished.

In copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder