The Australian Ugliness

The Australian Ugliness by Robin Boyd
Author Robin Boyd
Country Australia
Language English
Genre Non-Fiction
Publisher Penguin Books
Publication date
1960
Media type Print (Paperback)
Pages 268 pp
ISBN 0-14-070083-8

The Australian Ugliness is a 1960 book by Australian architect Robin Boyd. Boyd investigates the Australian aesthetic in regard to architecture and the suburbs and in the process coins the doctrine "featurism" to describe it. Whilst not entirely a tragedy for the Australian community, Boyd proposes that education in design, landscaping and architecture can be a means to resolve the ugliness he observed.

Reception

After the book's first publication, Boyd was criticised for being unpatriotic by the Australian mainstream press.

The book became an influential best seller, opening up the debate about design, architecture and urban planning. It also channeled the "cultural cringe" and belief that Australia was not as lively, dynamic or beautiful as Europe or North America.[1]

References

Further reading