The WA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects is saddened to share the news that Life Fellow and former WA Chapter President, Richard “Morris” Fairbrother, recently passed away.
Morris was born in Gawler, South Australia on the 14 April 1928, coming to Perth at the age of eight. His early education began at Highgate Primary School and he finished his schooling at Perth Modern School in 1948. He graduated from the newly established School of Architecture at the Perth Technical College, graduating in 1952.
Morris married Margaret in 1954 and went to live in London, working on the new John Lewis Store in Oxford Street. On returning to Australia, he joined Dennis Silver, forming the practice called Silver Fairbrother Associates. The firm won first prize in the Commonwealth Architectural Competition in 1961, subsequently building over fifty houses, some of which are still standing.
Morris then moved to the Public Works Department, ending as the Assistant Principal Architect in charge of the design and development of G Block at the Sir Charles Gardiner Medical Centre.
Morris was always involved with sub committees of the Architectural Association. He was president in 1969 and received his Life Fellowship Diploma in 1971. Morris retired early as he was involved as chairman
of boards with business ventures, as well as voluntary work with the National Archives. Playing golf and fishing were his hobbies in his retirement, as well as redesigning the holiday home.
Morris died on 27 September 2022 very peacefully, surrounded by his dearly loved family.
– Provided by the Fairbrother Family
