Visitors to Canberra are often surprised to learn that Canberra is a mecca of mid-century design, public art and architecture. If you know where to look (or you can get onto one of DESIGN Canberra’s fabulous tours), Canberra is a goldmine of mid-century gems from iconic buildings such as Roy Ground’s Shine Dome (1959) to … read more…

This is Docomomo Australia’s proposal to list the MLC Building, 105-153 Miller Street, North Sydney on the State Heritage Register. The proposal was submitted to Heritage NSW by Scott Robertson, president of Docomomo Australia on September 25th. Executive DirectorHeritage NSWLocked Bag 5020 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124 Dear Madam, Proposal to list the MLC Building, 105-153 Miller … read more…

(read the full article on The Fifth Estate) Beyond concern for preserving such rich heritage, the proposed demolition of the MLC Building in North Sydney poses deep environmental concerns. History is the story of who we are. A wise society will take lessons from that history – both good and bad – and critically engage with the … read more…

What is DADo Online? During this unprecedented time of isolation, DADo will be providing you with films that you can watch from home, for free. It’s not the same as watching films at the beautiful Walsh Street, but we hope it will be a good way to share films with you until we can get … read more…

The preparatory office for the International Centre for Interpretation and Presentation of the World Heritage Sites under the auspices of UNESCO (hereinafter the Centre) is pleased to announce that the preparatory office for the Category 2 Centre, newly approved at the 40th session of the General Conference (2019), was launched in late May under the … read more…

Lower Terrace Restoration Project of the Farnsworth HouseBy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Chicago, USA, 1945-1951 Docomomo International would like to draw your attention to the Lower Terrace Restoration Project of the Farnsworth House. The Farnsworth House, designed and built in the International Style by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Dr. Edith Farnsworth … read more…

The Norwegian Government has decided to demolish one of its most important modernist monuments. A monument by the architect Erling Viksjø, with contributions by Carl Nesjar and Pablo Picasso. A monument that survived a terrorist attack in 2011 and remained structurally sound. A monument of European importance that must be saved. We are talking about … read more…

Dear Docomomo Australia members and readers, The Heritage Council of NSW resolved to consider listing the MLC Building on the State Heritage Register. Please see the attached notification letter. We urgently need you to lodge a submission with the Heritage Council supporting its listing before the closing of the public submission period on 8 October … read more…

The Heritage Council of NSW resolved, at its meeting of 1 September 2020, to give notice of its intention to consider listing MLC Building, North Sydney on the State Heritage Register in acknowledgment of its heritage significance to the people of New South Wales. This advice is in accordance with section 33(1)(a) of the Heritage … read more…

Tuesday 15 Sep 2020 / 12:30pm – 2pm Please note: Zoom details will be sent upon registration at intervals of 48 hours prior, 12 hours prior, and 10 minutes prior. For information prior, please click the ‘View Links’ button in the Eventbrite app or web platform upon receipt of registration email. Join Professor Philip Goad … read more…

Penelope Seidler tours Seidler’s Ithaca Gardens of 1960 (Elizabeth Bay NSW – Sydney)  8 min film clips Penelope Seidler at and explains Harry Seidler’s Ithaca Gardens apartment on 10th floor of 12 Ithaca Rd Elizabeth Bay (1960) and building,  – filmed 1 Sept 2020 for Art Gallery NSW Contemporary Collection Benefactors. Penelope talks first about the … read more…

Seidler + Nervi: Walking tour (exterior) of the Edmund Barton Building (1970-74) Canberra Design Festival,Tuesday 10 November, 6-7pm$35, tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=655458&Meet at the corner of Kings Ave and Blackall St, Barton ACT 2600 (Edmund Barton Building) Discover the unexpected Italian affinities of Harry Seidler’s Edmund Barton Building (1970-74) with Paolo Stracchi, architectural technology lecturer, University of … read more…

City of Yarra is about to demolish a significant portion of the important River Pavilion to Fairfield Park by Carter and Couch – Kennedy Nolan, a Melbourne architecture practice, has launched a Change.org campaign to ensure its retention or relocation. City of Yarra is set to demolish a significant portion of the important River Pavilion … read more…

In 2020, the Robin Boyd Foundation is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Robin’s publication of The Australian Ugliness. Published in 1960, it has become canon for Australia’s built-environment and design practitioners and academics. Following on a successful year of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Robin, as one of Australia’s most influential architects, … read more…

Macquarie University Campus Design: New South Wales Government Architect’s OfficeConstruction: 1964-76Location: North Ryde, Sydney Professor Hannah Lewi: The 1960s witnessed a surge in building for higher education and training. With the sector growing rapidly, it was an important testing ground for Australian architects, landscape designers, planners and artists. The Macquarie campus is a highly significant … read more…

Foulkes Taylor showroom Designer: Julius ElischerConstruction: 1965Location: Nedlands, Western Australia Professor Hannah Lewi: For anyone who studied architecture in Perth, this building located adjacent to the University of Western Australia campus, has endured as an inspiration, with many sketching expeditions mounted to study its modelling of light and shade. Designed by Julius Elischer for the … read more…

Beaurepaire Centre Design: Eggleston, MacDonald & SecombConstruction: 1954-57Location: University of Melbourne, Parkville campus, Melbourne Professor Hannah Lewi: The Beaurepaire Pool and Gymnasium is a highly awarded example of modern architecture and art, united to create a special place in the lead up to Melbourne hosting the Olympic Games in 1956. The pool was instigated and … read more…

LOBSTER BAY HOUSE DESIGNER: IAN MCKAYCONSTRUCTION: 1971-72LOCATION: PRETTY BEACH, NEW SOUTH WALES Professor Philip Goad: Rarely seen and little known, even within the architectural profession, this house designed for the photographer David Moore is one of Ian McKay’s best residential designs. It incorporates a series of geometrically derived shed-like forms that nestle comfortably into a … read more…

The British Twentieth Century Society has released online a number of very interesting lectures about Architectural Styles I: 30’s Modernism with Alan Powers Following the success of our 2017 series ‘A Style Guide to Twentieth Century Architecture’, this is our first lecture in our new series of online lectures about Architectural Styles, led by Dr. … read more…

The MLC Building (by Bates Smart McCutcheon, 1954-57) is proposed for demolition.  The MLC Building, 105-153 Miller Street, North Sydney, is the most significant large office building dating from the 1950s in Australia. It is an important component in the development of North Sydney, makes a significant contribution to the streetscape and played a seminal … read more…