Elly Mackay
28 January 2025: Colleagues, friends, and former students were saddened to hear of the passing of Professor Gevork Hartoonian – an Emeritus Professor of Architectural History at the University of Canberra.
Professor Hartoonian contributed to the Built Environment and Architecture programs at the University from 2003 until his retirement in 2020 – however he remained a familiar face around campus until shortly before his passing in December 2024, retaining his office in Building 7, providing advice, and continuing to mentor PhD and Honours students.
He could often be seen strolling through the Concourse, sunglasses on, and despite being well into his 70s, documented his work through an active and well-followed .
Professor Hartoonian’s former Honours student, Billy Ileris, reflected on his time spent learning from him.
“If not in his corner office, Gevork could be found walking on campus toward his regular lunch and coffee spot,” Mr Ileris said.
“His habitual nature resonated with his relentless pursuit and commitment to both the discipline of architecture and his passion for it.”
Professor Hartoonian was born in Iran and completed his Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urban Design at the then-named National University of Iran. He completed his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, inspired to apply by American Architect Louis Kahn, who was teaching there at the time.
After a brief stint teaching at Columbia University in New York City, he moved to Australia to work as a historian at the University of Sydney for three years, before accepting an Associate Professor role at the University of Canberra.
“The intersection of ‘imagination’ and ‘dream’ is the canonical space definitive of Gevork’s life and work,” Mr Ileris said.
“From challenging students to expand their ‘imagination’ by guiding them through conceptual design processes, to his many books and articles exploring these themes and notions, to finally, and most importantly, his ability to create an environment that could dissolve the distance between the world of ideas, and the imagination and spirit that he was constantly and relentlessly in search of.
“It is precisely this that could be defined as ‘dream’ – the ‘in-between’ of reality and imagination. It is through this that his teaching and writing will continue to inspire and will undoubtedly resonate far beyond his time, inspiring in those around him a desire and passion for architecture and life.”
Gevork’s colleague and friend Professor Michael Jasper also reflected on their time working together.
“What to say about Gevork Hartoonian? In the end, I have very little to say – not because nothing happened in the many years I knew him, first through his writing, then as a colleague at 乱伦社区,” Professor Jasper said.
“I have very little to say, not because nothing happened. In fact, the opposite is true: too much happened. Too many ideas across his many books and articles, too variable the twists and turns of things exchanged in the studio and lecture room and across the table in meetings.
“He will be sorely missed.”
In an interview with UnCover in 2020, Gevork reflected on his time at the University, and his words remain timeless.
“At the end of the day, I’m very happy with what I’ve done at the University of Canberra and that I’ve been able to make the school of architecture better,” Gevork had said.
“Today we are in good shape and I think I’m leaving it in a good place for future students and the next generation.”