Berenice Harris Collection

Full description

This archive comprises architectural drawings, specifications, correspondence and other documentation relating to Berenice Harris’ work in the office of Grounds, Romberg & Boyd; Romberg & Boyd; Ray Barnard Brown & Associates and as a solo practitioner. It also contains personal memorabilia relating to Berenice Harris travel, family and studies.  

Berenice G. Harris Dip. Arch (RMIT), FRAIA, (11 October 1925 – 23 June 2002) worked with Frederick Romberg in various practices for over 30 years, 18 of those with Robin Boyd. A graduate of RMIT, she commenced her studies in architecture in 1943 at Melbourne Technical College, completing her Diploma in Architecture in 1952. In 1959 she was awarded an Associate Diploma in Architecture. In her early career she worked briefly for Frederick Morsby and builders Prentice Bros & Minson, before joining the office of Frederick Romberg in 1947. From 1953 until 1963 she worked in the office of Grounds, Romberg & Boyd, Architects and was appointed an Associate of that firm in 1960. In 1963 with the departure of Roy Grounds, the firm became known as Romberg & Boyd Pty Ltd. Berenice Harris was appointed a director in 1964, Robin Boyd and Frederick Romberg being the other directors. Her duties were mainly production of contract documents (working drawings, specifications), and contract administration and supervision, and general administration of the office. She also worked in Romberg’s office in Newcastle. 

When she returned to Melbourne from Newcastle in 1971 Berenice Harris managed all Romberg & Boyd works, including completion of domestic work, further projects for Ormond College, the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Theatre Company. After the death of Robin Boyd in 1971, Harris decided to open her own practice but remained as a Director of Romberg & Boyd Pty Ltd. to wind up all works current at the time of Robin Boyd’s death and prior to the return to Melbourne of Frederick Romberg. Eventually her own practice was established in 1975.She designed residential projects, additions, and alterations to two private hospitals and extensions to The University of Melbourne boatshed. A member of the Lyceum Club, she was on its long-range planning committee for which she prepared a report in 1976 and became the Club’s architectural advisor following the retirement of Ellison Harvie 1902-1984), supervising its refurbishment in 1977. All these projects, including Ellison Harvie’s original perspective for the Club, are documented in the RDA’s collection.

The collection is grouped according to accession lots that reflect donations in 2014 (0008.2014) and 2023 (0001.2023). The first donation in 2014 comprises six boxes, the second in 2023, 16 boxes. There are also records relating to Berenice Harris held in the Romberg & Boyd Collection (Access lot 0020.2008.) The collection records Berenice Harris’ work with Romberg and Boyd Architects, R. Barnard-Brown & Associates, and in private practice, including drawings and documents relating to various residential and institutional projects; the 2023 donation includes professional and personal records. Harris’ archive for the Lyceum Club date is extensive, dating from 1957 to 1981, and includes a coloured perspective by Ellison Harvie (c.1957), working drawings by Stephenson & Turner, Ray Barnard-Brown, and Berenice Harris, as well as specifications and other correspondence.