History of ASR

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Soon after Professor Henry Cowan took up the Chair of Architectural Science at the University of Sydney in 1954, he arranged a series of public lectures to fill a need expressed by the architectural profession in the city.  The technical and scientific aspects of architecture had progressed so rapidly during and after the war years, there was a need for what is now known as 'continuing professional development', although that name came much later.

The series of lectures presented by leading members of the professions and from the universities were well received, and soon it was decided to publish a collection of them, in a format similar to a technical journal. It became apparent that there were many more papers that would be welcomed, and experienced people willing to write them, and the idea of a continuing journal quickly emerged.

The first issue was published in November 1958, with five full-length papers, a bibliography on climate and architecture, book reviews, a list of publications received, and abstracts from the periodical literature. Professor Cowan's book reviews continued to be a valued part of the journal until his passing in 2007, by which time over 4500 reviews had been published, all but a few of them by Professor Cowan, but a few also by leading experts in the various fields.

Although structural and constructional issues were of great interest at that time, the bibliography and three of the first five papers were actually devoted to environmental issues: thermal comfort, lighting, and tropical architecture, indicating that the professions' interest in environmental issues stretches back much further than the currently popular oil prices and energy shortages.

Throughout its history, ASR has endeavoured to present a balanced collection of papers on the wide range of topics that contribute to its broad field, and to seek those papers, where possible, from as broad a geographical spread as possible.  Many former students of Professor Cowan from developing countries have gone on to become academics and researchers, and have had the opportunity to publish in ASR.

Over the years, the Architectural Science Review became a more and more international journal, with individual and institutional (library) subscribers and contributors from around the world, supported by an international editorial advisory board of the leading academics in the field likewise from around the world.  ASR became recognised, and continues to be recognised, as not only the first but the leading journal in the field. 

To commemorate 50 years of publication, a function was held in the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney in 2006.
At that time, tribute was paid to Professor Cowan for his foresight and dedication in inaugurating and continuing the publication for half a century.

Professor Cowan passed away in July 2007, having completed the last of his book reviews only a few weeks before.  An obituary was included in Issue 50.3 (September 2007).