Richard Layton FRAIA was a type of true gents who loved a full life primarily based on sturdy ideas. He possessed all-around individuals abilities and understood the worth of constructing relationships and with the ability to talk throughout cultural and language obstacles. Richard’s forte was placing collectively succesful and organised undertaking groups, at all times respecting the views of others within the course of.
Richard was a director of Troppo Architects in Darwin within the early ’90s. He then began his personal follow underneath Richard Layton and Associates in each the Prime Finish and Central Australia. He additionally served two phrases as chapter president of the Australian Institute of Architects Northern Territory Chapter, from 2010 to 2014, and was a member of the Institute for over 25 years.
Richard’s backstory, and the truth that he gained his structure diploma in his mid-forties, grounded him effectively. He introduced a mature view to the occupation, however at all times valued the vitality and creativity of youth. His private traits made him well-suited to working collaboratively with distant Aboriginal communities, and he took nice satisfaction in undertaking administration, making use of a hands-on method to delivering constructing contracts on time and inside real looking budgets.
His colleagues bear in mind him as a terrific negotiator, with a peaceful and strategic method to managing tasks. He had a logical and scientific appraisal of design and structure, a counterweight to the extremely inventive aspect of the sphere. He confirmed us the best way to take the emotion out of structure and sit calmly and intentionally whereas authorities did ridiculous issues – wait, plan strategically and take motion. For Richard, revenge was a dish finest deliberate fastidiously and served chilly, remembers Dr Shaneen Fantin.
Richard was born in Perth and schooled at Knox Grammar Faculty in Sydney. He graduated with a level in science from the College of New South Wales earlier than becoming a member of CSR to work of their new constructing supplies division. He pursued a 25-year profession in manufacturing and basic administration with CSR in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, earlier than enrolling in structure on the College of Adelaide. Affiliate Professor Terry Williamson remembers Richard as maybe the oldest and most enthusiastic structure pupil he taught in over 30 years. Richard graduated in 1991 along with his honours thesis – “The Impact of Air Stream on Thermal Consolation within the Tropics” – taking out the distinguished Henry Cowen Award for architectural science analysis. He was launched to Troppo Architects co-founder Phil Harris and he moved to the Northern Territory to work.
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Through the early days of Troppo, Richard mentored many graduates who grew to become commendable architects and researchers. Andrew O’Loughlin remembers how Richard could possibly be seen drawing at an Apple Mac pc subsequent to the open louvre home windows of the outdated tropical home, shirtless, smoking away and consuming copious quantities of espresso. He was at all times affected person and beneficiant along with his time and ideas about structure and life. Endlessly the optimist, Richard typically smiled within the face of unreasonable deadlines and over-budget tenders.
He was a deep thinker with a sensible and organised method to his work. He would discuss how, as architects, we have to know the best way to ask questions of our purchasers if we’re to design one thing that fits their wants – to pay attention and actually perceive what somebody is telling us, with out making any assumptions or choices about what they’re saying earlier than we have now been proper by the communication course of.
Richard acknowledged that working remotely in Aboriginal communities elicited a spread of feelings, from optimism to pessimism. Regardless of the inherent difficulties in balancing tasks, he at all times put the group’s views on the forefront of any design course of. Being recognised and revered by these communities continued to be a strong expertise for him. This bolstered his dedication to the difficult nature of the work.
In an interview, Richard commented on how his “usefulness” was satisfying, each personally and professionally: “It’s the sense of satisfaction that we’re doing one thing that’s helpful to the world … offering services which can enhance the standard of lifetime of a gaggle of people that simply occurred to be Indigenous … contributing to enhancing their lifestyle and well being.”1
He was at all times innately conscious of the distinctive cultural and environmental realities between Prime Finish and Central Desert communities. He was typically seen driving alongside dusty corrugated-dirt roads between desert communities, crisscrossing the skies in small planes or being helicoptered out of flooding distant communities, critically delivering for his purchasers. A few of his work with Aboriginal communities included Yolŋu housing tasks at Galiwin’ku, Ramingining in Arnhem Land, Alpurrurulam through Mt Isa, Bonya/Orrtipa Thurra, Ntaria, and Ltyentye Apurte through Mparntwe/Alice Springs. He was contract administrator for the distinguished Bowali Customer Centre in Kakadu Nationwide Park, and project-managed the substance-misuse rehabilitation services constructed at Mt Theo and Ilpurla in addition to the Warlpiri Youth Improvement Aboriginal Company services at Yuendumu. He additionally labored extensively with the Central Australian Youth Hyperlink-up Service to ship important youth diversionary services throughout the central Australian area over a few years.
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Irrespective of the scenario, Richard at all times managed to lift a smile and provide a constructive outlook. This was particularly evident as he was going by his battle with most cancers, typically saying “I’m not in ache and every day is an effective day.” Architect Steve Huntingford famous that he was an “architect’s architect.” He remembers Richard taking the time, whereas laying within the Palliative Care Unit at Royal Darwin Hospital to ring Simon Scally, the lead design architect of the ability, to inform him what a terrific constructing it was.His resilience within the face of adversity was wonderful.
Richard was held in excessive regard by his household and colleagues. He was a real and valued good friend to so many and his sensible counsel has left an indelible legacy. Journey effectively Richard, you can be dearly missed.
