NOTE FOR RESEARCHERS


Interest in the Griffins continues to develop strongly.  A measure of this is the growth in “events” - books, academic papers, documentaries, exhibitions and the like - which feature their lives and works.  Some 60 of these have been produced during the last three decades, many of which feature the Fishwick house (for details see Interest in Griffins Increasing Rapidly).  As a result, a great deal of material on this fascinating couple is available.


Material on the Griffins

Two extensively researched and authoritative books with helpful bibliographies are highly recommended for those interested in the Griffins at a detailed level: Alastair McGregor’s "Grand Obsessions" and "Visionaries in Suburbia" edited by Anne Watson.  (See Books & Media for details)

Excellent information on the Griffins’ lives and works in the US, Australia and India can also be easily accessed through two dedicated Griffin websites: those of the Australian society at www.griffinsociety.org and the American society at www.wbgriffinsociety.org.


Material on the Fishwick house

Because this website is intended to complement the general material on the Griffins, it contains a number of central themes which previously have not been explored.  The site’s Reasons for Prominence documents three of these:

  • Exemplar of Griffin’s design skills and creativity  Because it so vividly illustrates Griffin’s progressive and once-radical architectural ideas and principles, innovative architectural and design skills and technical inventiveness, the Fishwick house has emerged as their prime exemplar in Australia.

  • Symbol of emergence of Australian modern architecture  The site explores the now widely-held view that Griffin was a true pioneer of modern architecture in Australia.  The Fishwick house has become an important symbol of the profession’s movement away from derivative or stylised designs, the necessity of fresh thinking in addressing clients’ needs and the recognition that a building’s design should be in harmony with its landscape.

  • Conduit to Griffin’s ideas and principles.  From very early in his career, Griffin adhered to a set of ideas and principles which he considered to be universal such that they should underpin all good architecture.  He wrote extensively on this subject. (See Griffin’s Ideas and Principles and Dustin Griffin’s “The Writings of Walter Burley Griffin” in Books & Media).  The Fishwick house has clearly become the main conduit by which the general public in Australia is introduced to Griffin’s architecture and his professional ethos.

 Visitors to the house often ask for information about Thomas Fishwick and why he commissioned this extraordinary building.  For more on his probable reasons for appointing Griffin see Thomas Fishwick’s Puzzling Investment and Favourable Aspects of Fishwick’s Commission.


Please note that the house is a private dwelling and not open to the public.  Also, copyright is held over all images on the site.

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