The ANU Design Unit

The ANU Design Unit was first established in 1954 to both design and manufacture furniture for the developing Australian National University.

The first head of the ANU Design Unit was Frederick (Fred) Ward. Ward had been designing and selling his own pieces since the late 1920s and had worked on designs for Myer, the Department of Aircraft Production and Victorian Railways, as well as lecturing at the University of Melbourne.

Ward moved to Canberra after winning a competition for the design of the furniture and furnishings of University House at the new Australian National University. As the first head of the ANU Design Unit he oversaw campus planning, and furniture and interior design. During his time at the ANU, Ward designed over 4,000 individual pieces of furniture for the University, including many for University House.  

Following Ward’s retirement in 1961, the ANU Design Unit was headed by Derek Wrigley, who embraced a concept of ‘total integrated design’. This vision proposed a cohesive approach to architecture, urban planning, furniture, interiors, landscaping and graphic design across the campus’ learning and research environment.

Derek Wrigley and members of the ANU Design Unit, including furniture designer Hans Pillig, interior designer Gerald Easden and design draftsman Jack Low, also spread their design ethos across Canberra, with commissions for a range of Commonwealth agencies (including the National Capital Development Commission), community organisations and private individuals.

Many examples of the work of the ANU Design Unit can be seen across the Campus, including in University House and the ANU Libraries.

References

Australian National University Startegic Communications & Public Affairs 2019, The legacy of unique design 

Wrigley, D n.d., 1950s - Designing ANU, ANU Reporter, volume 47 no 3,