Canberra sites ~ sites in and around the national capital

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Parliament House Gardens & Precinct, Canberra

In 1979, the combined team of Rolland & Associates and Mitchell Giurgola Thorp Architects won an international design competition to design the buildings and landscape of New Parliament House. 

The design for both the building and landscape was based on geometric form and intense order but in keeping with a ‘pliable and enfolding landscape’.  The American based Landscape Architects conceived an exotic lawn covering the building - symbolic of Australia’s passion for grass.    Until recently this lawn was viewed as part of Australia’s democracy with visitors encouraged to stroll over its surface.  With increased concern regarding terrorist attacks this is no longer permitted. 

The landscape design incorporates a large minimalist forecourt, internal courtyards featuring both native and exotic plant material, playing fields and tennis courts, formal terrace gardens as well as a bush landscape with walking trail.

Designers:  Peter Rolland & Associates, New York along with the New York based architects Mitchell Giurgola Thorp Architects were responsible for the design of the landscape surrounding Parliament House in 1988.

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>>   an overview

>>   images related to the article above

>>   article by Roger Johnson 1988

>>   images 1988

>>   interview with Peter Roland

>>  recent images

 

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