The architect of Canberra’s Parliament House, Romaldo Giurgola, has labelled the new Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s (ASIO) building a “monster”, despite it having been designed by former associates, Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT).

The AIA Gold Medal winner criticized the headquarters’ new glass façade on Constitution Avenue for ruining the sight lines to Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin. The new building is the wrong shape, in the wrong place, he said, arguing that the linear design is a mistake.

Senator Gary Humphries is calling for the National Capital Authority to chop two storeys off the height of the building in order to protect the vistas to Lake Burley Griffin.

“I am deeply concerned that the size of the building will interrupt the vista from the War Memorial through to the Parliamentary Triangle,” he said.

“It would create a wall-like effect along Constitution Avenue, separating the area to its north from the lake precinct.”

The design has been criticised for departing from the National Capital Plan designed by Walter Burley Griffin that promoted boulevards of active frontages rather than set-back, heavy frontages.

The Walter Burley Griffin Society calls the new plans “intrusive” and “monolithic”. The plans will destroy the symmetrical urban design of the Griffin plan, “degrading” its symmetry, landscape design and symbolism.

“The project makes a mockery of Griffin’s design for the municipal axis of the great national triangle, intended to be a grand terrace of diverse civic and urban activity. The whole eastern half of Constitution Avenue and fronting Parkes Way will be locked into security and defence offices,” says the society.

At time of publication, FJMT was unavailable for comment due to a company-wide conference.

Gemma Battenbough

FJMT-security-building-a-monster-architect-1736095157.png

Let’s connect!