"The best way to learn about design and to appreciate design - is to experience good design for yourself"

The Robin Boyd Foundation hosts a regular series of public open days in privately owned homes.These open days will provide a unique opportunity for people to view and experience the design qualities of some outstanding buildings.

The Open days include buildings designed by Robin Boyd together with the work of Boyd's colleagues and contemporaries, the work of Architects whose work Boyd admired; and the work of recent and currently practicing Architects whose work continues to demonstrate the benefits of good design.

2010 Public Open Day program

Robin Boyd’s design language Sunday April 18

As an author and an orator Boyd used words to construct sentences that conveyed meaning and engage with his readers and listeners. As and architect he used a vocabulary of design tools in a similar way to articulate space, manage structure and create buildings that responded to his client’s brief, personality and chosen site.

This open day provides a remarkable opportunity to observe and analyse Boyd’s design language, or just visit and enjoy 6 outstanding houses designed by Australia’s most influential architect.

For details and bookings download this pdf

Melbourne Architecture Sunday June 27

Details to be advised in May


Recent Award Winning Houses Sunday August 15

Each year the Australian Institute of Architects recognise and celebrate the best designed buildings of the preceding year. The Robin Boyd Foundation will host a public open day of 5 award winning and shortlisted houses from the Institute’s Victorian Chapter Residential Buildings award category.

Full details to be advised in July


Harold Desbrowe Annear Sunday November 14

In his first book Victorian Modern published in 1949 Boyd wrote ‘Harold Desbrowe Annear was the first Australian-born to produce original architecture, a big bluff, hearty architect, who knew what he wanted, and saw that his clients got it.’

This open day will include 5 houses designed by Annear including ‘Chadwick House’ recently restored by Peter and Jane Crone.

Full details to be advised in October

2009 Public Open Day program

During 2009 The Robin Boyd Foundation hosted 3 public open days: -

Robin Boyd: by example by influence;
Award winning houses: design excellence and innovation; and
Griffin’s Melbourne.

Details of these open days can be downloaded from the pdfs below.

Robin Boyd: by example, by influence

Recent Award Winning Houses

Griffin's Melbourne

The Robin Boyd Foundation is also planning to arrange Open Days of houses designed by: Robert Hadden, Best Overend, Sir Roy Grounds, Frederick Romberg, John & Phyllis Murphy, Peter McIntyre, Guilford Bell, Kevin Borland, and David McGlashan & Neil Everist.

We would welcome the assistance of people with a detailed knowledge of the work of these architects as well as those with enthusiasm and the time to help.

For more details on these events please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone (03) 9820 9838