Saving a Piece of Design History: Gordon Andrews Room Divider Seeks New Home
A remarkable piece of Australian mid-century design heritage needs urgent rescue. Before a Vaucluse residence is demolished, heritage consultants are working to salvage an exquisite 1960s room divider designed by the legendary Gordon Andrews.
Andrews, a DIA Hall of Fame inductee (2011), is most famous for designing Australia's first decimal banknotes. This prolific artist, graphic designer, and industrial designer worked on projects for Parliament House, the National Gallery, and the Reserve Bank of Australia. Widely regarded as one of the founders of design in Australia, Andrews exerted a pioneering influence on the profession. This room divider represents his distinctive modernist style at its finest.
The room divider itself is a masterclass in mid-century craftsmanship. Constructed from timber veneer panels mounted on metal posts, it features marble display shelves, coloured linen backing, and decorative fabric panels. An upper timber veneer section creates an elegant portal between the foyer and living room. According to heritage consultant Anthony Dakhoul, who prepared the archival record, "it is just an elegant and beautifully constructed architectural element that is in very good condition and strongly representative of the modernist design style."
Both Woollahra Council and the demolition heritage report recommend this significant piece be preserved. Unfortunately, major institutions including the Powerhouse Museum and the Australian Institute of Architects have been unable to accept it due to capacity constraints.
Could your institution, design school, or gallery provide a home for this piece of Australian design history? Time is of the essence as demolition proceeds.
Contact: Anthony Dakhoul, NWT Heritage
Email: anthonyd@nwtheritage.com
Phone: +61 425 317 844