The Australian style of Architecture has evolved significantly over the years. Australian architecture has kept up with the trends incorporating western aesthetics by molding it according to the country’s climatic conditions. The early Australian architecture strongly reflected British designs as it was once a collection of British Colonies. Native Australians built temporary structures made from relatively cheap and imported corrugated iron, still seen in the roofing of ancient buildings in Australia.
Currently, the country adorns sophisticated styles borrowed from countries like the Victorian Style from the United Kingdom, the Georgian style from North America and Europe, and the Californian Bungalows from the States.
The climate consideration and its influence on the usage of materials help the buildings stand out. So, Here is a list of 15 marvelous structures that every architect must see:
Sydney Opera House | Buildings In Australia
Sydney Opera House, built in 1959, located in Sydney, is a structure that seamlessly blends technical innovations and intricate detailing. Designed by Jorn Utzon, it was the first building to incorporate computing to simplify its complex structural analysis, which also included the first software for canopy design. The structural refinement is depicted in the soffit of the shell-like configuration.
Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance, built in 1934, was initially designed to commemorate the men and women from Victoria who fought the first world war. The structure was designed by Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop in Melbourne. Affected by Western culture in multiple ways, this installation draws inspiration from the Parthenon of Greece.
Collins Street, Melbourne
Collins Street, Melbourne, consists of five buildings constructed between 1888 to 1892, designed by William Pitt. These five structures are considered to be of essential importance. The five buildings were constructed when Australia was the British Empire’s most prosperous city. They depict styles ranging from Gothic to Classicism and are beautifully ornate.
St. Mary Star
St. Mary Star of the Sea, constructed in 1900, and designed by Edgar J. Henderson, is a classic example of Australian architecture that maintains a notable place in the heart of parishioners. Mary Star is Melbourne’s largest Parish Church. Initially constructed in the light of the Victorian Gold Rush’s population Boost, this Church experiences recurring renovations to retain its original charm.
Council House in Perth | Buildings In Australia
Conceptualized in the 1960s by the architecture firm Howlett and Bailey architects, the Council House in Perth served the city officials for most of its time. Once hailed as one of the most exemplary examples of Australian architecture in the 1990s, it was a topic of demolition discussions after it fell into a state of despair. But, it was later re-vamped, and the concrete-encased steel frame still stands tall.
Academy of Science at Australian National University
The Academy of Science, built-in 1959, was designed by Roy Grounds in Canberra. This Academy was also known as the Shine Dome by the locals, and it offers inhabitants a stunning panoramic view of its surroundings. The main challenge during the planning and construction of the circular structure was the sound. The architectural professionals tackled this issue efficiently by providing convoluted acoustic baffling.
Phoenix Skinny Tower
An example of modern Australian Architecture, Phoenix Skinny Tower, designed by Fender Katsalidis, is one structure that has altered harsh critics with time. Constructed in 2014, it was the first time Australian architecture styles witnessed ultra-skinny establishments in Melbourne, usually found in New York City or Hong Kong. The unconventional design helped it become not just accepted but adored.
Boyd Baker House
The Boyd Baker House, built in 1966 on the outskirts of Melbourne, and designed by Robin Boyd, is considered remarkable in Australian architecture’s history. This structure has been relatively untouched since its construction. Initially, this modern structure was designed to be home to Dr. Michael Baker, a mathematician. Today, the Boyd Baker House hosts private functions and is recognized by architecture experts as ‘ One of the most important post-war Australian Residential buildings.’
Queensland Art Gallery
Constructed between 1973 to 1982, designed and planned by Robin Gobsin and Partners, located in Brisbane, is one of the famous examples of Australian architecture styles developed in the 1970s to revitalize the cities around water bodies.
Established in 1895, Queensland Art Gallery was moved to its current residence in 1982 at South Bank. It was joined by the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and the galleries now house a globally significant collection of contemporary art from Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
Macquarie University Campus | Buildings In Australia
The Macquarie University Campus, located in Sydney, constructed between 1974 to 1976 by the New South Wales Government, is home to buildings showcasing famous examples of modern architecture. Style Library is one standout example of the old brutalist style.
The architecture is designed to be indelible, responding to the shallow falling site, the beautiful wooden context.
The architectural principles, the expression of structure, a varied palette of natural materials and a form that highlights the hidden character of the Wally Abrahams master plan, which also reflects the intricate features of the campus.
Foulkes Taylor Showroom
The Foulkes Taylor, located in Nedlands, near the University of Western Australia, constructed in 1965 by Julius Elischer, has positioned itself to become quite well to become a favorite of students studying Australian architecture.This distinctive building is brick rendered with thick walls and many square, rectangular and irregularly placed windows which provide natural light to the interior.
Beaurepaire Centre
The Beaurepaire Centre in Melbourne was constructed ahead of Melbourne’s hosting of the Commonwealth games. In 2003, the structure was revitalized by Lovell Chen, and it has gone ahead, winning numerous awards. Lovell Chen carefully managed to inculcate modern touch into this structure by keeping its original essence alive.
Sanitarium Health Food Company Factory | Buildings In Australia
The Sanitarium Health Food Company Factory, constructed in 1937 by Edward Fielder Billson, is located in Warburton. In 1940, three years after the construction of the structure, it received the Street Architectural Medal from the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects. The company Sanitarium doesn’t exist anymore, but the structure still stands tall, and the Victorian Heritage Register identifies it as an essential site based on its beauty.
Cairo Flats
The U-shaped built block formed by the Cairo flats was constructed in 1936 by Soilleux and Overend in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. These flats were home to notable architects like Frederick Romberg and John Mockridge. The Lawn Road Flats in London was the inspiration for the planning and designing of Cairo flats. Experts hail it as a testament to the graceful modesty of the era.
Lobster Bay House | Buildings In Australia
Built in 1972, Lobster Bay House is one of the best-kept secrets in Australian architecture history, designed and planned by Ian Mckay. The structure is a must-see, as even with an unusual geometric quality it surprisingly blends with the rocky landscape.
Lobster Bay House marks the evolution of the relationship into that of client and architect. Designed as a vacation home for photojournalist David Moore and his children, it is an intricately crafted hideaway that pursues an elemental occupation of a dramatic rocky site.
These were the 15 Architectural Marvels among a plethora of more Structures in Australia that every architect must see.
References
“Australian Architecture, Houses & Buildings.” Architecture & Design, www.architectureanddesign.com.au/features/list/australian-architecture-houses-buildings#.
Australian Traveller Media. “Australia’s Greatest Engineering Marvels.” Australian Traveller, 17 May 2010, www.australiantraveller.com/australia/australias-greatest-engineering-marvels/.
“Famous Australian Architecture: 19 Iconic Examples.” Www.procore.com, www.procore.com/jobsite/famous-australian-architecture-19-iconic-examples/.
Nast, Condé. “How to Explore Art and Architecture in Australia’s Capital City, Canberra.” Vogue India, 8 May 2019, www.vogue.in/content/how-to-explore-art-and-architecture-in-australias-capital-city-canberra.
