Stephanie G. Mathis The 19th-century Australian architecture became overwhelmingly Eurocentric due to the large number of architects that moved from England to Australia in order to join the British colony.
The influence of America led to families wanting to own freestanding houses with backyards to satisfy their increasing desire to fulfill the “Australian Dream”. Families began to seek out freestanding homes that had backyards to fulfill their desire to live the “Australian Dream“.
As Australia became more multicultural in the late 20th Century, exotic styles were imported, particularly those with South-East Asian influences. As urban areas began to grow, freestanding houses were replaced by semi-detached homes and high-density housing.
Challenge accepted
Australian architects are responding to unprecedented challenges in the 21st century, including population growth, environmental preservation, and climate change.
As architects continue shaping urban precincts, their supporting infrastructure, and the design of the public space, it is now important to preserve the quality of the built and natural environment. It is important to maintain a sensitive relationship between the Australian landscape and buildings. This is something that we are increasingly recognized for.
Australia, and its neighboring Asian countries, have seen their economies grow in the last few years while much of the industrialized globe has been in a recession.
Australian architects designed China’s National Aquatics Centre (also known as the “Water Cube”). AAP Image/Dean Lewins
Currently, Australia has seven out of the top 100 architecture firms in the world. These are Woods Bagot Architects, Hassell Architects, Cox Architecture Architects, HBO + EMTB Architects, GHD Architects, Hames Sharley Architects, and Thomson Adsett Architects.
Most of these large practices generate more income from international work than they do from domestic work. The global income figure is closer to 10% for the entire architectural sector, but it’s clear that we export a lot of our skills, talent, and cultural expertise.
The architecture Oscars
How does Australia’s architecture compare with that of other countries? How did we do in the international award, prize, and festival competitions such as the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the World Architecture Festival?
Honor a living architect/s who has made significant contributions through their built work to the built environment and humanity.
Magney House, Bingie Bingie, NSW South Coast. Designed by Australian architect Glenn Murcutt.
In its 35 years of existence, there has only been one Australian winner: Glenn Murcutt in the year 2002. The award was given to him for a career that centered on creating houses that were adapted to the unique Australian climate.
Murcutt’s work was a foundational piece of Australian architecture in the second half of the last century, and this coincided with the growing international recognition.
Glenn Murcutt grew up in Papua New Guinea, where he developed a love for vernacular architecture and a connection with nature. He was a proponent of sustainability before it was a buzzword in architecture. His design philosophy, “touching the earth lightly,” motivates him to design with environmental factors in mind, use locally-sourced materials, and fit into the Australian landscape.
Mary Short House, Kempsey NSW, designed by Australian architect Glenn Murcutt, whose motto “Touch the Earth lightly” is. AAP Image/Glenn Murcutt
Australia’s sensitivity to the environment, and its tin-and-timber tradition of beach houses and sheds that are functional and beautiful has gained international attention.
Australian architects now bring that same sensitive approach to larger projects around the globe.
Attention to international attention
The World Architecture Festival consists of an annual program that includes awards, jury reviews, and international speakers to celebrate the best architecture from the previous year. The first World Architecture Festival was held in Barcelona in 2008. Since then, it has been held in Singapore.
The annual event brings together more than 2,000 architects and showcases projects from over 40 countries. They compete for awards across 16 categories of built projects and 11 categories of future project.
Australian architects won unprecedented success at the World Architecture Festival award program in 2013, winning categories such as Culture, Houses, Transport, Future Infrastructure, and Competition Entries.
