Edward Herbert (Ted) Farmer (1909-2001) was born in Perth and studied architecture in Melbourne. He worked for Leighton Irwin and was transferred to Sydney in 1936 to run its Sydney office. In 1939, he joined the Government Architect’s branch of the NSW Public Works Department, and carried on the architectural traineeship program that had been initiated by Cobden Parkes and Harry Rembert. Farmer’s team built up an enviable record in achieving quality in architecture. The first significant building was Fisher Library, which won the RIBA bronze medal and the Sulman Award from the RAIA. As well as the more prestigious public buildings of the Fisher Library, Goldstein Hall at the University of NSW, the Art Gallery of NSW and the State Office Block, the office also produced a large number of hospital buildings and schools and educational buildings, with the high schools’ program a major thrust. During Farmer’s 15 years in the role of Government Architect after 1958, the office won six Sulman Awards, two Blacket Awards and numerous merit awards. Farmer himself was awarded the RAIA Gold Medal in 1972. However, he found himself in an awkward position when Jørn Utzon resigned as architect for the Sydney Opera House. Through the newly appointed Minister for Public Works, Davis Hughes, Farmer assisted in appointing a panel of Peter Hall, David Littlemore and Lionel Todd to complete the work Utzon had begun. From 1965 until his retirement in 1972, he was the NSW RAIA’s representative on the NSW National Trust.
Sources
—Johnson, Chris. 2001. Architecture Australia obituary on website http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NIT/is_5_90/ai_86468933
—NSW Government Architect’s website, www.govarch.dpws.nsw.gov.au/history/farmer_johnson.htm (accessed October 2005)
- Writers:
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- Date written:
- 2015
- Last updated:
- 2015
