Canberra's Modern

Top 20 Mid (& Late) Century Modern Buildings

20 buildings might seem a lot, but in a city that grew up in the mid-century period that showcases work from some of Australia’s most renowned architects, it is almost impossible to narrow the list to just 20! While many on the list are obvious and iconic, we also wanted to include a few buildings that are lesser known or are at risk of being lost altogether or visually lost in the midst of adjacent developments or inappropriate renovation

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place, Parkes

Bunning and Madden, 1968

University House

Balmain Crescent, Australian National University, Acton

Brian Lewis, 1954

NB: the interiors of this building are fab including custom design furniture by Fred Ward - a walk around the rest of ANU will also not disappoint, mid-century gems are everywhere!

Churchill House

AT RISK

Northbourne Ave, Braddon

Robin Boyd, 1971

Urambi Village & Wybalena Grove

Housing Co-operatives:

Urambi Village, Crozier Cct, Kambah Wybalena Grove, Cook

Michael Dysart, 1974

Callam Offices

AT RISK

Callam Street, Woden

John Andrews, 1977-81

NB: Also check out his residences at the University of Canberra and his Cameron Offices in Belconnen

Giralang Primary School

Atalumba Close, Giralang

Enrico Taglietti, 1976

NB: there are so many Taglietti gems – how about a side trip to the Dickson Library?

School of Music,

Childers Street, Acton

Daryl Jackson & Evan Walker, 1976

Edmund Barton Building

Kings Avenue, Barton

Harry Seidler, 1973

Civic Square

AT RISK

Including Legislative Assembly & Canberra Museum and Gallery

London Circuit, City

Yuncken and Freeman, 1961

Colonial Mutual Building,

AT RISK

University Ave, City

Civil & Civic and Towell, Rippon and Associates, 1968

NB: this is part of an awesome intact group of commercial buildings on each corner of University Ave, Marcus Clarke Street and London Circuit

Australian War Memorial Annexe

Callan St, Mitchell

Enrico Taglietti, 1979

Australian Academy of Science: The Shine Dome

McCoy Cres, Acton

Grounds, Romberg and Boyd, 1959

The Benjamin House

Also known as The Round House

10 Gawler Cres, Deakin

Alex Jelinek, 1959

NB: Deakin, and nearby Yarralumla, is full of great mid-century houses, a meander through the streets is lots of fun

Australian Institute of Architects Headquarters

2A Mugga Way, Red Hill

Ancher, Mortlock, Murray and Woolley, 1967

St Joseph’s Church

Boronia Drive, O’Connor

Kevin Curtin, 1971

Australian Parliament House,

Parliament Dr, Canberra

Mitchell, Giurgola & Thorp, 1988

Torrens Townhouses and Shopping Complex

AT RISK

Beasley Street, Torrens

Dirk Bolt, 1967

NB: the Burgmann College complex at ANU is also a great example of Bolt’s work

Anzac Park East and West (Portal Buildings)

AT RISK

Anzac Parade, Reid/Campbell

Richard Ure, Department of Works, 1965

NB: The East Building has recently been fully demolished.

High Court of Australia

Parkes Pl, Parkes

Edwards, Madigan, Torzillo, Briggs, 1980

NB: Of course, next door neighbour and architect sibling - the National Gallery deserves its own mention, but we are out of space!

Swinger Hill Housing

Barnet Close, Swinger Hill

Ian McKay and Partners, From 1969

Hashtag #canberramodern with your pics so we can share in the fun

Image Credits: With Thanks

Library: Darren Bradley

University House: ANU Archives

Churchill House: Darren Bradley

Urambi Village: Canberra House

Callam Offices: Darren Bradley

School of Music: Darren Bradley

War Memorial Annexe: Canberra House

Shine Dome: Darren Bradley

Benjamin House: Darren Bradley

AIA HQ: Canberra House

St Joseph's: Darren Bradley

Parliament House: Australian Parliament House

Torrens Shops: Darren Bradley

Portal: Dept of Finance

High Court: Darren Bradley

Swinger Hill: Canberra House

Other images by Canberra Modern