EXPANDING THE REGISTER OF SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURE

Buildings dating from the 19th century are being considered for the Register of Significant Architecture, as it is no longer limited to the 20th century. There are around twenty such buildings in the ACT which have heritage protection by being on either the ACT Heritage Register or the Commonwealth Heritage List. Several buildings date from the 1830s and each of the subsequent decades of the century is represented. As their importance is mainly historical, it will be necessary to assess their architectural significance. There may be other important buildings not yet investigated. Any worthy buildings can then be recognised by being entered in the Register of Significant Architecture.
There is also a need to add buildings of the late 20th and the early 21st centuries to the register. They are now old enough for their architectural significance to be recognised, but their place in the history of architecture must be taken into account to prove their heritage value.

WRITING BIOGRAPHIES OF CANBERRA ARCHITECTS

Canberra’s architectural heritage has benefitted immeasurably from contributions made by many talented architects who have practised in the city. Architects from elsewhere, inspired by the Griffins’ concept of a city like no other, often made special efforts to design outstanding buildings when engaged on Canberra projects. Biographies of architects in both of these categories are being researched by the Register of Significant Architecture and Heritage Committee, to add to the biographies now available on the ACT Chapter section of the Institute’s website as links to other websites.

ENGAGING WITH ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA

The Heritage Committee intends to engage with the students of architecture at the University of Canberra to provide them with information about best practice for heritage conservation. This may involve a short lecture about the basic principles of heritage conservation, as well as a trip to one rural and an urban heritage site in the ACT to measure buildings and prepare measured drawings, creating valuable skills for students. We are investigating expanding this exercise by organising a measured drawings competition with support from various institutions and government organisations.