Biography of Louis Edouard Laybourne Smith (1880-1965)
Louis Laybourne Smith was a prominent South Australian architect who
established Adelaide's first School of Architecture in 1906 at the South
Australian School of Mines and Industries (School of Mines). Son of
Joseph and Annie (nee Thomas), he was born at Unley and educated in South
Australia. During his formative years his parents moved to Coolgardie
and Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, where his father was a chemist and
dental surgeon. Having left school aged 15, Louis also moved west to
pursue architecture articled to A A
E Dancker.
Two years later he returned to Adelaide enrolling in night classes in Mechanical Engineering at the School of Mines. An able student, he won scholarships in second and third year and was the first of the evening students to complete the four-year course within the prescribed period. Meanwhile he fostered his interest in architecture as an articled pupil to Edward Davies (1852-1927), completing his apprenticeship in 1904 and being admitted as an Associate to the South Australian Institute of Architects (SAIA).
All the while he continued his prior scholastic interest, lecturing in mechanical engineering at the School of Mines from 1903 and graduating in 1908 with a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Adelaide.
While articled to Davies, where he was trained in office practice, Laybourne Smith yearned for formal academic study in architecture but discovered that there was no opportunity at either the University of Adelaide or School of Mines. In 1905 he initiated his own course, gathering a group of colleagues who instructed one another in subjects such as the history of architecture, building construction and drawing.
After Laybourne Smith was made Registrar of the School of Mines his course was formally inaugurated from 1906 as a part-time diploma in architecture. He continued as Registrar until 1914, when he returned to private practice in partnership with Walter Hervey Bagot. However he retained his position, part-time, as head of the architecture course until 1951 when Gavin Walkley took over the role on a full-time basis. Laybourne Smith continued his association with the school for a further fourteen years. The Louis Laybourne Smith School of Architecture and Building was named officially for its founder on 10 May 1963.
In addition to his role in architectural education, Laybourne Smith was
renowned for his contribution to the profession through various
organisations and committees. He was made a Fellow of the SAIA in
1907 and elected to the Council in 1909 serving in various capacities
including two terms as president (1921-3, 1935-7). The
introduction of registration of architects in South Australia from 1939
is accredited largely to him. Nationally, he was a member (1937-44)
and president (1937-8) of the Council of the [Royal]
Australian Institute of
Architects (RAIA).
In 1961 his state colleagues, celebrating the SAIA's 75 years, honoured his outstanding service by commissioning local sculptor John Dowie to fashion a bronze bust. Laybourne Smith's professional achievements were also recognised nationally in 1961 when he was awarded the RAIA's prestigious Gold Medal.
Compiled by Christine Garnaut from:
Freeland, J.M. The Making of a Profession, Sydney, Angus and
Robertson, 1971
Walkley, G. The Louis Laybourne Smith School of Architecture &
Building, South Australian Institute of Technology: a history,
1906-1976, South Australian Institute of Technology, [Adelaide], 1976.