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Famous Australian Architecture: 19 Iconic Examples

October 25, 2020 by Brandon Richard Auston

Even a cursory survey of Australian architecture reveals numerous world-renown and iconic structures. A deeper look reveals architectural gems that may not be as well-known globally but are still iconic to those in the design community.

This lineup of famous and not-so-famous Australian buildings (in no particular order) includes favorites highlighted by The University of Melbourne’s Pursuit and some best-kept secrets you’ll want to add to your travel bucket list of places to visit.  

19 Iconic Examples of Australian Architecture

1. Sydney Opera House

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Sydney Opera House is destined to come up in any discussion of famous Australian architecture. Built in 1959, the Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic pieces of Australian architecture. The design was originally so complex that critics lambasted architect Jørn Utzon and his “impossible design.” The power of computers for resolving potential structural issues had not yet been realized, but the Sydney Opera House changed that. It became one of the first buildings to utilize computers in this way 

Constructed: 1959

Architect: Jørn Utzon

Location: Sydney

2. Shrine of Remembrance

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Shrine of Remembrance was originally built to honour men and women from Victoria who fought in the First World War. As with many examples of prominent western architecture, the Shrine of Remembrance drew influence from Greece, namely the Parthenon.

Constructed: 1934

Architects: Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop

Location: Melbourne 

3. Council House (Perth)

Photo: Heritage Perth

For most of its life, Council House in Perth was home to city officials. Upon its conception in the 1960s, it was hailed as a stunning example of modern Australian architecture. Over the coming decades, however, it fell into disrepair and was at one point the subject of demolition discussions in the 1990s. Thankfully, it was refurbished instead, and its concrete-encased steel frame is still standing.

Constructed: 1963

Architect: Howlett and Bailey Architects

Location: Perth

4. Academy of Science at Australian National University

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Known by locals as the “Shine Dome,” the Academy of Science at Australian National University offers inhabitants a beautiful panoramic view of its surroundings.

The challenge with a circular structure, of course, is sound. Thankfully, Australian architecture professionals are an ingenious bunch; complex acoustic baffling provided the solution.

Constructed: 1959

Architect: Roy Grounds

Location: Canberra

5. Phoenix “Skinny” Tower

Photo: Spectator

The Phoenix “Skinny” Tower is an example of modern Australian architecture that has converted even harsh critics with time. While Australian architecture styles have not been pigeonholed by a necessity for ultra-skinny structures like those in crowded New York or Hong Kong, the Phoenix “Skinny” Tower exists nonetheless.

Its quirky design (conceived in collaboration by Fender Katsalidis and graphic designer Gary Emery) helped it become not just tolerated but cherished.

Constructed: 2014

Architect: Fender Katsalidis

Location: Melbourne

6. Cowra Japanese Garden

Photo: National Trust of Australia

Iconic Australian architecture draws from a variety of international influences, and the Cowra Japanese Garden is a particularly beloved example. It’s not just inspired by traditional Japanese gardens, it is a Japanese garden. The Cowra Japanese Garden was designed by Ken Nakajima who is known for creating numerous Japanese gardens all over the world.

There’s a symbolic reason the Cowra Japanese Garden is where it is; during World War II, the location housed Japanese POWs.

Constructed: 1979

Architects: Ken Nakajima, Takeo Adachi, and Tatsushi Aono

Location: Cowra

7. Budj Bim Cultural Landscape

Photo: UNESCO

Australia has been inhabited for roughly 65,000 years. It’s no surprise then that there are examples of famous Australian architecture dating back thousands of years.

The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape may not seem like much to the untrained eye but history indicates this site dates back roughly 6,600 years. Aboriginals are believed to have collected lava stones from the Budj Bim volcano and created a sophisticated system for trapping eels as well as constructing homes.

It pokes holes in prior theories that Aboriginals in Australia were solely nomadic. UNESCO currently has the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape on its tentative World Heritage list.

Constructed: 6,600 Years Ago

Architects: Gunditjmara People

Location: South-Eastern Australia, 3.5 Hours from Melbourne

8. Buildings Spanning The Olderfleet to Rialto

Photo: realestate.com.au

This is a collection of five buildings considered essential pieces of Australian architecture on Collins Street in Melbourne.

The buildings were constructed at a time when Melbourne was one of the British Empire’s most prosperous cities. They are wonderfully ornate and combine styles ranging from gothic to classicism. Anyone visiting upscale Collins Street would be remiss not to snap a few Instagram-worthy photos of these buildings.

Constructed: 1888-1892

Architect: William Pitt

Location: Melbourne 

9. Boyd Baker House

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Boyd Baker House is remarkable in Australian architecture history for many reasons, one of which is that it’s remained relatively untouched since its construction.

The modernist structure was originally built as a home for Dr. Michael Baker, a mathematician. Today, it hosts private functions and is hailed by architecture experts like Melbourne University’s Phillip Goad as “one of the most important post-war Australian residential buildings.”

Constructed: 1966

Architect: Robin Boyd

Location: Outskirts of Melbourne

10. Eddie Koiki Mabo Library at James Cook University

Photo: JCU Australia

This piece of iconic Australian architecture is a Brutalist-style building that houses the James Cook University’s library. Its architect, James Birrell, received the prestigious Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal for his work.

Eddie Koiki Mabo Library received its name in 2008, after the iconic indigenous Australian man.

Constructed: 1976 (Stage 2; First Stage Completed in 1968)

Architect: James Birrell

Location: Townsville

11. St. Mary Star of the Sea (West Melbourne)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

St. Mary’s Star of the Sea is a classic example of Australian architecture that holds a very special place in the hearts of its parishioners. St. Mary Star of the Sea is Melbourne’s largest 

parish church.

Originally constructed in light of the Victorian Gold Rush’s population boom, St. Mary Star of the Sea undergoes continual renovations to restore it to its original glory.

Constructed: 1900

Architect: Edgar J. Henderson

Location: West Melbourne

12. Queensland Art Gallery

Photo: Wojtek Gurak

Australian architecture styles in the 1970s largely sought to revitalize cities near rivers and make them more desirable. The Queensland Art Gallery is one example of famous Australian architecture from this period.

Constructed: 1973-82

Architect: Robin Gibson & Partners

Location: South Bank, Brisbane

13. Macquarie University Campus

Photo: Mirror Sydney

Australia is home to some of the world’s most renowned universities — and those institutions house some famous examples of modern Australian architecture.

The Macquarie University Campus is home to several such buildings. One standout example is the old Brutalist-style library.

Constructed: 1974-76

Architect: New South Wales Government

Location: Sydney

14. Foulkes Taylor Showroom

Photo: Robert Firth

The Foulkes Taylor Showroom’s location near the University of Western Australia has positioned it quite well to become a favourite of those studying Australian architecture.

Of course, its distinctive and artsy appearance doesn’t hurt here either.

Constructed: 1965

Architect: Julius Elischer

Location: Nedlands

15. Woomera Village

Photo: State Library of South Australia

Woomera Village is another example of famous Australian architecture commissioned and designed by the government. The village houses service personnel working on Australia’s weapons testing projects. The site’s remoteness (less than 140 people live there permanently) adds to the charm of the prefab architecture that lines its streets.

Constructed: 1946-67

Architect: Commonwealth Department of Works and Housing

Location: South Australia

16. Beaurepaire Centre

Photo: University of Melbourne

The Beaurepaire Centre was constructed ahead of Melbourne’s hosting the 1956 Olympic Games. It’s gone on to win numerous awards of its own, including following its 2003 revitalization by Lovell Chen.

As is standard for architects repairing important pieces of Australian architecture history, Lovell Chen approached the task delicately and managed to add modern sensibilities to the structure while retaining its spirit.

Constructed: 1957

Architect: Eggleston, MacDonald & Secomb

Location: Melbourne

17. Sanitarium Health Food Company Factory

Photo: Explored Visions, Facebook

In 1940, just a few years after the Sanitarium Health Food Company Factory was constructed, it received the Street Architectural Medal from the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects.

Sanitarium (the company) is long gone but the building stands as a testament to that area. The Victorian Heritage Register recognizes it as an important site based on its beauty.

Constructed: 1937

Architect: Edward Fielder Billson

Location: Warburton

18. Cairo Flats

Photo: Christine Francis

The Cairo flats form a u-shaped block in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. Numerous notable architects resided in the flats, including Frederick Romberg and John Mockridge.

This was especially fitting since they were inspired by the Lawn Road flats in London, which also housed numerous architects in the 1930s.

Experts today hail it as a testament to the elegant modesty of the era.

Constructed: 1936

Architect: Soilleux & Overend

Location: Melbourne

19. Lobster Bay House

Photo: Michael Wee

This is perhaps the best-kept-secret among passionate purveyors of iconic Australian architecture. The Lobster Bay House blends quite well into the surrounding rocky landscape, which is surprising given its unusual geometric qualities.

Constructed: 1972

Architect: Ian McKay

Location: Pretty Beach, NSW

Categories: Australia, Real Estate, World Tags: Architecture, Iconic Architecture

Brandon Richard Auston

Brandon-Richard Austin is a Toronto-based writer. After working in journalism for several years, he grew passionate about helping brands creatively tell their stories and connect with readers.

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