Edmond and Corrigan


Edmond and Corrigan is an Australian architectural firm based in Melbourne, Victoria, founded in the late 1970s by partners Maggie Edmond and Peter Corrigan, the firm's principals. The practice's work, both built and written, has been widely associated with the emergence of architectural postmodernism in Australia, an interest in suburbia and a search for an Australian architectural identity. Peter Corrigan taught design studios at RMIT University for over 30 years, until his death in December 2016.
Image:RMIT University City Campus.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A view of Edmond and Corrigan's Building 8 from Swanston Street.|RMIT Building 8, as seen from Swanston Street

Architectural practice

The practice of Edmond and Corrigan was officially formed in 1975, though the pair had gradually been collaborating and associating on projects after Corrigan's return from America in 1974. Much of their early work consisted of church buildings and community buildings for the Catholic communities of suburban Melbourne.
They designed the Keysborough Church of the Resurrection, completed in 1977, and later buildings in Keysborough. The project was published in 1977. The School of the Resurrection, Keysborough was awarded the Victorian Architecture Medal in 1979.
Image:Niagara Galleries, Back Entrance, April 2013.jpg|thumb|Niagara Galleries, Richmond, Melbourne
The practice's subsequent projects, many of them in suburban sites, continued with the idea of an Australian architectural language, visible in their competition entries for the Parliament House, Canberra Competition in 1977, The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and the State Library of Victoria, their many projects for community buildings, and their work for universities.
They later undertook larger projects; many of them, particularly RMIT Building 8, pursued the idea of 'a city in a single building'. Their Athan House of 1986 was published widely.
The practice also worked extensively in stage and set design for Opera Australia, Melbourne University Theatre Group, and La Mama.
Peter Corrigan wrote about his practice's work and about others, explicitly stating the practice's goal of creating or fostering a particularly Australian architectural language.

Recognition

In 2003 Peter Corrigan was awarded the RAIA Gold Medal, 2003, the highest accolade of the Australian architecture profession. In 1993 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Architecture from RMIT University.
Twenty years later, in 2023, Maggie Edmond was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal at the National Awards, with her name added to the same award that was presented to Peter Corrigan in 2003. At the 2023 National Awards she described the correction as 'restorative'. The rectification awards their work as a unique and innovative partnership.

Notable projects and awards

YearProjectClientLocationTypeAwards
1977Freedom Club Childcare CentreKeysborough, VictoriaEducation
1977Church of the ResurrectionKeysborough, VictoriaReligion
1978Chapel of St Joseph 27–29 Strabane Avenue, Mont Albert North, VictoriaReligion
1978Resurrection SchoolKeysborough, VictoriaEducation
  • Victorian Architecture Medal, 1979
  • 1982Kew HouseKew, VictoriaResidential
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Housing Merit Award
  • 1982Kay Street HousingMinistry of Housing75—79 Kay Street, Carlton, VictoriaResidential
    1986Office of Edmond & Corrigan46 Little Latrobe Street, Melbourne, VictoriaCommercial
    1988Dandenong College of TAFE, Stage 3Dandenong, VictoriaEducation
  • RAIA Commendation for Public Architecture, 1989
  • 1988Athan HouseLouis & Sophie AthanMonbulk, VictoriaResidential
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Bronze Medal for Outstanding Architecture Award, New Residential Category, 1989
  • 1988Walsh House, Scheme for Pool PavilionResidential
  • Architecture Australia Prize for Unbuilt Work, 1994
  • 1991Keilor Fire StationVictorian GovernmentKeilor, VictoriaPublic Service
    1994Oakleigh Fire StationVictorian GovernmentOakleigh, VictoriaPublic Service
    1994RMIT Building 8 ExtensionRMIT UniversityMelbourne, VictoriaEducation
  • Victorian Architecture Medal, 1995
  • City of Melbourne Building and Planning Award, Institutional Buildings Category, 1995
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Institutional Alterations and Extensions Award, 1995
  • RAIA Walter [Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design], 1995
  • 1995Greensborough Office and CarparkGreensborough, VictoriaCommercial
    1995Ringwood Library Complex, Civic PlazaRingwood, VictoriaCultural
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Urban Design Award, 1995
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Award of Merit, Institutional Category, 1996
  • 1996Windsor Fire StationVictorian GovernmentWindsor, VictoriaPublic Service
  • Metal Building Award, Certificate of Merit, 1996
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Award of Merit
  • BHP Colorbond Steel Award, 1997
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Award of Merit, Commercial Category, 1997
  • 1996Exhibition Centre Showgrounds Stage 1Ascot Vale, VictoriaPublic Service
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Award of Merit, Commercial Category, 1997
  • 1999Lehrer ResidenceVictoriaResidential
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter Award of Merit, 2000
  • 2001Drama School, Victorian College of the ArtsSouth Melbourne, VictoriaEducation
    2001Niagara GalleriesRichmond, VictoriaArts
    2001Allan & Maria Myers Academic Centre, Newman College and St Mary's College Parkville, VictoriaEducation
  • Dulux Colour Awards, Commercial Exterior Winner, 2002
  • RAIA Victoria Chapter, BHP Colorbond Award, 2002
  • 2005Lux House alteration, front porchResidential
    2005Readings Bookshop309 Lygon Street, CarltonCommercial