F. Kenneth (Frank Kenneth) Milne

Full description

F. Kenneth Milne (18/07/1885-3/10/1980) was one of South Australia's most well-known, prolific and popular early- to mid-twentieth century architects. He resisted modernism and remained a devotee of the Georgian style throughout his life.
After attending Glenelg Public School for his primary education and North Adelaide Public School for his secondary schooling, Milne received private finishing tuition. He began his architectural career around 1900 when he was articled to Alfred Wells. He then worked as a draftsman for Wells until 1906 when, against Wells' advice, he moved to Sydney to seek architectural experience, working as a draftsman for Robertson & Marks.
When Milne returned to Adelaide in April 1909 and established his own practice, two of his first commissions influenced his early career. The Hampshire Hotel in Grote Street (1910) led the South Australian Brewing Co. Ltd to commission hotels in both metropolitan and rural areas, and the Adelaide Oval Scoreboard (1911) was so revered that the South Australian Cricket Association became a longstanding client. Over time, Milne established a reputation for domestic architecture and he designed many large residences for wealthy members of Adelaide's establishment. However, he also undertook charitable work and at the outbreak of World War One was an honorary architect for the Red Cross (S.A. Division), a role that continued into the post-war years.
In 1912 Milne took on John Richard Schomburgk Evans as his first articled pupil. Evans completed his articles in 1915 but then enlisted to fight in World War One. He returned to Adelaide in 1920 and became Milne's first partner, the practice becoming F. Kenneth Milne and Evans. Milne's second articled pupil, Charles Alexander Russell, became a partner in 1925. After the partnership was terminated Milne operated as a sole practitioner from 1931 until 1946. Over the following decades other partners joined Milne, including Rolfe V. Boehm (1946), Lindsay C. Dawkins (1946), Russell S. Ellis (c.1947), F.P. Bulbeck (c.mid-1950s) and John Twopeny (1960).
Milne's significant Adelaide buildings include Lister House (North Terrace, 1927) and the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society Building (Waymouth Street, 1928). Travels in Britain and Europe in 1933 awakened a keen interest in Georgian architecture, particularly the work of Robert and James Adams, and this influence can be seen in his designs for Arbury Park (c.1930s) and his own house, Sunnyside, in North Adelaide (1936).
Other important buildings include Goldsbrough House (North Terrace, 1935) and the H.C. Sleigh building (Pirie Street, 1950s). While its Georgian style was criticised, the Sleigh building illustrates a significant transition point in the state's architectural history when traditional Classical designs were still considered relevant by some architects even in the face of modernism. Reluctant to embrace modernism Milne gradually retired from practice during the period from 1956 to 1962.
Milne played an active role in the profession: he was President of the South Australian Institute of Architects (SAIA) from August 1937 to August 1939; a founding member of the Architects' Board of South Australia, which administered the Architects' Act governing the registration of architects; and helped establish the Chair of Architecture at the University of Adelaide and was a member of the Faculty of Town Planning and Architecture. This association with the University was reinforced when he established the Kenneth and Hazel Milne Travelling Scholarship in Architecture for architecture students. His contribution to architecture was recognised during his lifetime: the first SAIA Award of Merit for Domestic Architecture for Sunnyside (1944), Her Majesty's Coronation Medal (1953) and Life Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (1970).