Architecture of Australia

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is part of a series on the
Culture of
Australia
Society
Arts and literature
Other
Symbols

Australia portal

Architecture of Australia has generally been consistent with architectural trends in the wider

multicultural
Australian society.

Iconic Australian designs include the UNESCO listed Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building, Brisbane City Hall and the 11 remnant penal colony sites selected for World Heritage protection in 2010.

Towards the Federation of Australia there was a concerted movements to create a distinctively Australian styles along with the Australian nationalism movement, some of which incorporated decorative Australiana. While these attempts were largely unsuccessful due in part to cultural cringe, distinctively Australian styles of architecture had already evolved organically. Notable Australian architectural adaptations include the Queenslander and Federation styles of residential architecture.

History

A 19th-century engraving of an indigenous Australian encampment, representing the Indigenous mode of life in the cooler parts of Australia before the arrival of Europeans

In the period before

British colony, the first European buildings were derivative of the European fashions of the time. As most of the colonialists where from England the first buildings reflected English ideas.[2]

Georgian architecture is seen in early government buildings and the homes of the wealthy. The architect Francis Greenway, who appears on the Australian ten-dollar note designed early buildings in the Georgian style. Examples include the Hyde Park Barracks, St James' Church and St Matthews Church at Windsor.[2]

Another European style to gain favour in 19th century Australia, particularly in churches, was Gothic Revival architecture. Pointed arches, turrets, battlements and gothic ornaments could also be found on bank, insurance offices, university buildings and homes.[2] One of the best examples of this style can be seen at the lower end of Collins Street in Melbourne.

heritage preservation and protection, resulting in widespread loss of prominent early architectural styles–for example, Melbourne's Queen Anne style APA Building, built in 1889, was one of the world's tallest buildings in the 1890s but was demolished in the contemporary-conscious early 1980s.[3]

With the

Bendigo were built in the style of Victorian architecture.[citation needed] From about 1850 to 1893 Italianate architecture was also popular as it allowed greater displays of prosperity through rich and ornate decorate features such as cast iron lace work and slate roofs.[2] Towards the end of the century the style was pushed to an extreme by some architects. Buildings became over-burdened with excess columns, balustrades, exaggerated entrances and other lavish decorations. Medley Hall in Carlton is an example of this style which became known as the Boom Style from 1880 to 1893.[2]

One of the most significant architectural movements in Australian architecture was the Federation architecture style of the turn of the 20th century, where Australia began to play with the idea of a "style of our own", and the modern styles of the late 20th century which sought to reject historicism.

Castlecrag. Castlecrag was planned by the Griffins and also features a number of houses designed in the organic Modernist style they developed after the Prairie School architecture that marked his earlier career in the United States. The simple, flat-roofed cottages that the Griffins designed in Canberra used their innovative, patented techniques for concrete
construction.

One of the most important local introduction to Australian architecture was the

verandah.[2] As pastoralists took up land and built solid, single story dwellings the addition of verandahs proved popular as they provided shade and looked attractive. They were often integrated into the symmetry of Georgian style homes.[2]

Like elsewhere in the world, socio-political factors have played their roles in shaping Australian architecture. During the early 20th century, cities across Australia had placed building height limits, typically 150 feet (45 m), thus hampering the development of American-style skyscrapers until the limits were lifted in the late 1950s. Likewise the popular notion of the "Australian Dream", in which families seek to own their free-standing houses with backyards, meant that high-density housings were rare in Australia until the end of the 20th century. The design of housing in Australia after World War II, which was mostly undertaken by builders, has been described as poor aesthetically and environmentally.[4]

Significant concern was raised during the 1960s, with

International Modernism style arrived in Australia, making Australians particularly conscious about Victorian architecture they felt was "dated".[5]

In the 21st century, many Australian architects have taken a more

façadism
if the interior is unsustainable or unsafe.

Australian architectural styles

Internationally, the Sydney Opera House is the most recognised symbol of Sydney
Main article: Australian architectural styles
See also: Australian non-residential architectural styles

Architectural styles have been basically exotic and derivative. Only recently have climate and environment played a major role.

During the 19th century, Australian architects were inspired by developments in England. From the 1930s on, North American and International influences started to appear.

Buildings were often heavily influenced by the origins of their patrons, hence while the

Italian
and other nationalities would also attempt to recreate the architecture of their homelands.

Gallery

Victorian

Post-modernism

Residential

See also: Australian residential architectural styles
  • A typical Queenslander house in Ascot, Queensland; a unique regional style influenced by location and climate
    A typical Queenslander house in Ascot, Queensland; a unique regional style influenced by location and climate
  • The Gothic Revival "Garthowen" in Launceston, Tasmania
    The
    Gothic Revival "Garthowen" in Launceston, Tasmania
  • Italianate terrace houses in Erskineville, New South Wales
    Italianate terrace houses in
    Erskineville, New South Wales
  • 19th-century three-storey Victorian terrace houses in East Melbourne.
    19th-century three-storey Victorian terrace houses in
    East Melbourne
    .
  • Tudor house in Mosman, New South Wales
    Tudor house in Mosman, New South Wales
  • Arts and Crafts shingle and bungalow-inspired style home in the Sydney suburb of Lindfield on the Upper North Shore
    Arts and Crafts shingle and bungalow-inspired style home in the
    Upper North Shore
  • Modern townhouses in Boronia, Victoria on a subdivided plot of land.
    Modern townhouses in Boronia, Victoria on a subdivided plot of land.

Australian architects

Fraction of over 15 year olds with a qualification in architecture or building by Statistical Local Area as of the 2011 Australian Census
Main article: List of Australian architects

Significant architects include:

Significant firms include:

Notable structures

Sydney Harbour Bridge

There are many notable structures, of particular importance are:

See also

References

  1. ^
    OCLC 863984459.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-9599271-0-7
    .
  3. ^ "Australian Property Investment Co. Building". National Trust Database. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  4. ^
    ISBN 3-930698-90-0
    . Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  5. OCLC 70257350
    .
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Architecture of Australia.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Architecture_of_Australia&oldid=1219308044"