Bill Lucas: Architect Utopian

This exhibition takes us into the extensive archive of Bill Lucas (1924–2001), revealing the aspirations, ideals and works of one of Sydney’s foremost late 20th century architects.  It includes a feast of previously unseen archival drawings, photographs, artworks, private writings and public documents, illustrating his trajectory from conventional to increasingly unconventional practice with projects that were invariably ahead of their time. 

Lucas was an architect idealist who, often through unconventional means, sought to bring about social and environmental change to make the world a better place. His early career, working with his wife Ruth, was spent designing and often instigating, innovative single and multi-residential projects, furniture and community developments. Lucas would meticulously refine a design informed by cost, materials and construction, to reach the optimum architectural solution for the client and site. By the mid-1970’s he ceased conventional practice, instead working without a fee, advising, teaching and problem-solving projects with wholistic systems-thinking.

Inspired by R. Buckminster Fuller, Lucas constructed his archive with the intent of collating his ideas and work for public benefit. Architect Peter Lonergan, who holds the extensive archive, invites us to share his delight and discoveries. Taking inspiration from an application made by Lucas to the Australia Council in which he scripts his life’s achievements, Lonergan has constructed this exhibition in three parts; 20 buildings; 10 community projects and 1001 process drawings. He has chosen material that was ‘visually interesting’, presented with minimal interpretation.

Exhibition Team: Cracknell & Lonergan Architects, Graphic Expression, Marilyn Karet, Peter Lucas

Photos by Maja Baska ©2022

Gallery Talks and Tours

Saturdays at 12pm: 26 February / 12 March /  26 March

Join Peter Lonergan, friend and collaborator of the late Bill Lucas, for a series of gallery talks & tours of the exhibition, 'Bill Lucas: Architect Utopian'. Share in the delight and discoveries made by Peter and learn more about one of Sydney's foremost late 20th century architects.