2007, Cevennes France Robert Louis Stephenson walking trail
— with
Rob
and Barry Jules and Lester
2
2015, Andalucía, Spain
An exploration of the white towns of Andalucia, core to the Timeless city idea
— with
ROB
and Barry and Lester
1
Rob and I worked together in Architecture at UNSW. As non-architects we were both outsiders within the department. At some point the faculty had to run a professional ethics course for final-year students, so who better than the odd-bods to do it. It was Rob who pushed for an emphasis on environmental ethics and to that end we invited all manner of experts to contribute to the lecture program. We became firm friends.
I don't know if it makes sense to say he was an environmental humanist (merde, I can hear him say), but he certainly valued those aspects of urban design that enabled people to live and work in environmental comfort.
Rob could be scathing towards a changing university system that measured success by ambition and relentless output, choosing instead to focus on issues that could help address real needs, for people and the environment. And he was a constructive and compassionate supervisor. His skills as an observer both prompted him to take a back seat (it provides a bigger picture) and to note environmental and design qualities that allow people to gather and enjoy each other's company.
More than anything i valued him as a colleague with real integrity. And warmth. And fun.
1
2015, Sydney NSW, Australia
2
2016, Coogee Beach, Coogee NSW, Australia
4
2016, Harlem, New York, NY, USA
1
2016, Harlem, New York, NY, USA
1
2022, Rocking Horse Ranch Resort, U.S. 44, Highland, NY, USA
1