As you’d expect from a capital, Canberra is full of civic buildings and spaces. Here are some of the more interesting and architecturally striking examples.
The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly was designed by the same architects as Parliament House, but on a far smaller budget. It’s a well judged and low key addition to the city centre.
The High Court of Australia is a classic example of architectural void ruling over functional space, and all the better for it. Within the soaring interior and walls of glass are the most senior law courts in the country.
The National Library of Australia is another monumental building, close to the shores of Lake Burley Griffth, if much more impressive from the outside than on the inside.
The National Archives of Australia are home to the Federalist papers, containing effectively the birth certificate of Australia, signed (in dodgy ink) by Queen Victoria, and the Australian Constitution which included a provision for New Zealand to be the sixth state. There was also an interesting, scientifically inspired, art exhibition, all housed in the lovely East Block building.
The final corner of the civic triangle of Parliament and the city centre, is the heart of the Ministry of Defence, complete with an impressive column.
Bisecting the line from the Australian War Memorial to the Australian Parliament(s) is Commonwealth Place.
Finally it’s not really a civic space but wanted to find somewhere for the Australian National Botanic Gardens. They’re were underwhelming to be honest, but did have effective recreations of rainforest and the red centre, and were on route to Black Mountain Nature Reserve, for scenic views of Canberra from the Teletra Tower.
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