Archimarathon Goes To Canberra - An Introduction. Lesser Known Great Architecture In Canberra.

[@zacdambracio6411]

I live here, in Canberra and I can say it is one of the best cities in Australia to live in.

[@Archimarathon]

It’s good to give Canberra some well deserved love

[@user-fi3uu2ry8i]

Shhhhhhhhh.

[@talishasture6065]

100% agree

[@sameermaroof5024]

Doubt that I mean it’s alright I have been living here since I first moved to Australia and what can I say my life has no good memories from this city whatsoever there’s literally nothing you can do here expect drink or do drugs which is why there’s so many junkies here

[@overworlder]

@@sameermaroof5024 - that’s your fault man, there’s plenty to do. Get off your lazy butt.

[@TravelsWithATwist]

03:15 "lets go to Fyshwick" has a different meaning to the locals

[@Archimarathon]

I know exactly what that means and decided to leave that in for those who knows what that means. We did go there for a meeting.

[@TravelsWithATwist]

@@Archimarathon right that's the other thing, lots of new businesses and gyms and whatnot there, my gym is out there but I still get people giggling in Canberran when I say it

[@ແມ໋ດຢູ່ລາວ]

@@Archimarathon a "meeting", eh? 😜

[@GraemeO28]

Yes we went to Fyshwick and stayed in the caravan park when my kids were younger. After the holiday a Canberrian enlightened me.

[@harrywade8079]

@@GraemeO28 what's a camerian?

[@Phil_Cleaver]

Can I give you a Taglietti story... When he was designing the building at 54 Marcus Clarke St, the development commission told him that he couldn't give the building the floating look that he wanted. He had to put in columns. (Go to street view) He put in the columns as required but left them unattached to the building structure. He wanted every one to be able to see that the didn't do anything and the building floats without them. That wasn't good enough though. He sculpted them to represent two up raised fingers, he flipped them the bird in concrete. He wasn't done yet though. Great sculpture has to be appreciated every day. He had an extra one made and put it on his own front lawn. 33 Durville Cres (Go to street view). Enrico Hero

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks an awesome story

[@emilyjay7844]

Ive lived here for 6 years and have never taken the time to look at the architecture all that much, we really do have some beautiful places.

[@Archimarathon]

Great to hear. That’s what we aim to do. Make people aware

[@chefgav1]

Modern Buildings are as ugly as sin though.made up of poorly built shoddy units.

[@robman2095]

@@chefgav1 Some of ones they showed are recent and modern

[@motorsportman7341]

I live in Canberra and I can tell you now there are some pretty amazing things here.

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah we had quite a few we didn't make it to. Filming takes way longer than expected. Gotta work on this run-and-gun shooting.

[@motorsportman7341]

@@Archimarathon did you know that Bryce Courtenay the brilliant author is buried in Canberra? There is also Blundells cottage that was build in 1860. There is some great history for a small town.

[@kaloarepo288]

@@motorsportman7341 St John's church in Reid near the city centre predates the national capital and rather strangely,on one of the graves,prophecies that a great city is to be built here by quoting St Paul"Here we have no city but we await one to come."It has become a tourist attraction.

[@hannahholford2250]

its so weird seeing a city that nobody ever knows about but you live there.... and seeing people talk about it is crazy ahha "they know we exist?" but seriously Canberra is so beautiful

[@Archimarathon]

I hope we talk about it differently from how others talk about Canberra

[@hannahholford2250]

@@Archimarathon Loved your video! I saw places I've never been before ahah and learnt so much about my own city :)

[@waltertrejo2534]

I live in Canberra and love it. It's quite, safe, clean and beautiful. While there's not overly too much exciting things for us as a local, it's good to go somewhere like the coast and come back home to a peaceful place like Canberra.

[@Archimarathon]

I can see that is quite a peaceful place to live

[@Itsjustbool]

honorable mentions: Telstra tower, Melbourne/Sydney buildings in civic, Nishe building, The Mint, The Lodge, One Canberra Avenue, All the old homes in Ainslie/Reid

[@gerrysatrapa4586]

The concrete bollards around town that intrigued you were built by my grandfather, Henry Satrapa at his business, Sunset Industries in Queanbeyan in the early 70s. The reason so few are left if they have been removed over time. There were seats and benches, bins, bollards and even ping pong tables they built as street furniture. His catalogue of products is available at the National Library of Australia.

[@Archimarathon]

Wow! Thanks for clarification on the matter! I was almost going to get a technical drawing of it and start a conspiracy theory club.

[@Archimarathon]

Interesting

[@kbal1451]

@@dap0ss they can be levered out, I've seen bored, cold people out and about on a late night in the city doing it.

[@jamesnorton2483]

Canberra is playing a long game. Many cities peek too soon and overcome their setting in the landscape. Canberra is going to grow into itself and those human scale spaces you spoke of will gradually fill in time making the forethought of its spacious set out really handy has the residential density increases.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes often planned cities takes hundreds of years to evolve

[@froggy0162]

Lol, that’s hilarious. Canberra is being over run by shoddy developments even faster than real cities! The whole town was built on the cheap, everything here is half arsed…

[@u3017913]

I’m a canberran born and bred and you guys have done amazingly to showcase our little city. I also did architecture school so I’m a huge fan of this mix of Canberra and architecture 💚

[@ແມ໋ດຢູ່ລາວ]

Agreed - Canberra is an awesome bike riding city. 👍

[@Archimarathon]

I would have died trying to do all that filming we did and rode a bike as well unfortunately

[@wrongcreativity]

I never knew about the circulation routes were intended for trams! That made a lot more sense. I previously felt like there was an obsession with roundabouts.

[@Archimarathon]

Check the linked video in the description about Griffin's original plan.

[@richardkocksworthy8423]

They found it like that. Research Mud Flood

[@isabellamcgregor2827]

There's a bit of a trick with navigating Canberra. There's always a mountain or tower about to give you an idea of where you are and where you are going. Point yourself opposite of the way you are going and drive that way.

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah those off ramps are easy though

[@ellenbrophy4799]

Yes pls for the tour! Am a local, will keep an eye out for the bollards !! You should check out Curtin- a Radburn suburb design from New Jersey

[@Sp33dYAU]

I think bollard spotting in Canberra need their own mini-marathon series. Brilliant, cant wait for all the videos coming soon!!!!

[@Archimarathon]

Canberra conspiracy theories

[@lesflynn4455]

Yeah this could take off, unfortunately some cnuts

[@shenanigans3710]

So glad you went to the War Memorial annex. One of the most underrated buildings by maybe Australia's most underrated architect. I actually did high school work experience in that building, as a paper conservator. The interior is equally lovely. There's a courtyard that is like an ancient Greek temple, and I always remember it as one of the most relaxing and calm spaces I've ever been in.

[@Archimarathon]

So jealous. Would have loved to see the inside

[@jonathanm9436]

@@Archimarathon dudes, they open it once or twice a year to the public

[@chefgav1]

Which will now be destroyed . The destruction of Anzac hall is a crime and the removal of hundreds of trees

[@johnsonho1934]

3:28 Kevin: Which direction am I pointing? Andrew: Where's the sun? What time of day? It takes a lot more to calculate. (SUN left the conversation.)

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it was constantly like that

[@delicooper740]

Even though I live here I’d for sure go on a tour around, see the best places I didn’t even know were there.

[@Archimarathon]

I have already made one of the stand alone episodes, the Finnish Lutheran Church Canberra. Have you seen that one yet?

[@dbdingle]

I'm a local and id totally take a tour.

[@davidchannon6004]

Great channel. Thanks for your videos.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for watching!

[@guyh9992]

The War Memorial annexe is open once a year to see the exhibits stored there. The 1970s concrete buildings in Belconnen have mostly been knocked down. Campbell Park offices near the airport is an interesting building if you like that sort of thing. The Centre Cinema building in Civic is Taglietti. The Churchill fellowship building started out with a display under perspex upstairs back in 1970 that soon faded in the sun. Totally impractical in Australia, maybe not Britain.

[@JeremySalterXIV]

Looking forward to the episodes to come! I would add to your list: - Yarralumla Brickworks, which is about to undergo huge redevelopment. - Paterson House by Enrico Taglietti - Callam, and Cameron Offices by John Andrews - National Arboretum by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects - National Carillon by Don Ho - Marie Reay Teaching Centre by BVN - Civic Swimming pool by Ian Slater There's so many more!

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah most of those are on the list. I didn’t include houses as you can’t go inside

[@ແມ໋ດຢູ່ລາວ]

@@Archimarathon the 3 side-by-side Roy Grounds homes in Vasey Cres, Campbell, are quite interesting to me. I haven’t ever been inside any of them, but would love to one day.

[@A0111.]

Callam and Cameron offices 👍

[@Archimarathon]

@@A0111. they were on the list... ran out of time

[@A0111.]

@@Archimarathon, if you visit Callam offices, don't forget to check out toilets ;-)

[@arfa07]

Thanks for the cool video. I suggest visiting again during the annual “Windows to the World” event (usually ~Sept/Oct) where many embassies open their doors to the public for a day. Might be some interesting architecture to look at / make a video on?

[@Archimarathon]

We will have the Finnish Embassy which is the best building of the lot anyway.

[@Moooonieee]

The ANU in general and in particular the John Curtin School of Medicine. Would love to join you for a tour when you visit next.

[@xueqinyi6350]

I am studying architecture in Canberra and lived in that egg shape dorm for two years 😬. Enjoyed your vedio! Gonna check out those buildings when cycling next time.

[@Archimarathon]

Egg shaped dorm?

[@xueqinyi6350]

haha I meant the shape like egg box, the uc student residence.

[@Archimarathon]

The John Andrews designed ones?

[@xueqinyi6350]

@@Archimarathon yesss！

[@leviirvin9603]

I love canberra, best city to travel to in Australia. So many hidden treasures, very friendly cultures and great hospitality

[@kbal1451]

Lived here, in Canberra, since 1970. Seen a lot of what you looked at. I even went to an Enrico Taglietti designed primary school from when it first opened, the first opened planned school in Canberra, lol. Flynn Primary, closed in 2006. I went to Uni of Canberra in the 80s-90s and friends stayed in those Ressies. I remember when those bus shelters were first installed and those plastic orange seats in the first versions, cracked and broke really quickly. I'd be surprised if any survived. Your bollard commentary is hilarious! A lot of those single bollards were once part of a group but they can be subjected to being levered out of the ground so only the odd one here and there survives (gangs of Ressie living Uni students have told me so my comment is not admissible in a court of law). I also remember when the High court was built amongst other building in the Triangle. I've sat around the camp fire at the tent embassy, as have my kids. My kids have had their Year 10 and Year 12 formals held at old Parliament House. One of my sons is an Officer in the ADF so the War Memorial now holds a special place in our hearts, we have some family members names from WW1 in the hall of remembrance. Loads and loads more memories, I love Canberra.

[@ant7396]

Grew up in Canberra and moved to Melbourne when I was 19 (currently 25). Canberra is a great city, very safe, welcoming, high standard of living, well planned. Would highly recommend it for families and those looking for a quiet place to live with abundant park land, surrounding nature reserves, etc. It's just ridiculously boring for young people. Nobody who grows up in Canberra really wants to stay there, many leave for Sydney or Melbourne.

[@prawiraagung4011]

HIS FIXATION WITH CONCRETE BOLLARD IS SO ENTERTAINING! Thanks for this, hope I could visit it and appreciate all of Canberra someday.

[@Archimarathon]

More episodes coming. Have you checked the ones that are out already?

[@prawiraagung4011]

@@Archimarathon Slowly getting there. The embassy one is really interesting. Especially the part where the details and general form of the building are being exposed in relation to not only surrounding environment, but also the architecture styles that influenced it.

[@Itsjustbool]

thanks guys

[@harpersherman2753]

Excited for these new episodes! It's pretty interesting how much cars have impacted the city's plan, it seems to suffer a bit too much from sprawl in my opinion.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it was mean to be a more dense city with up to 5 storeys residential. Check the video link I have there about Griffin’s original design in the description.

[@seandagle6189]

so excited for every episode to come! the bollards are the star of the show!

[@Archimarathon]

Haha. Those are all the ones he spotted

[@twiggyvlogs6441]

I live here! I would recommend visiting but it's a kind of confusing place to live.

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah. It’s nice to visit every now and then as it feels so foreign.

[@taracull-archienglish5174]

I don't think anyone has ever sold Canberra quite so well to me. I've never felt the need to go but now I feel like it's worth the trip.

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah what Oculus did at New Acton is great. Pity also we didn’t make it to the Arboretum

[@taracull-archienglish5174]

@@Archimarathon I was also a big fan of the carpark suprisingly!

[@mcmatthewc]

Hey Kevin and Andrew, I'm an American moving to Canberra soon. I'd looooove to do a tour. Can't wait to explore the city.

[@Archimarathon]

Enjoy. Safe travels.

[@murraybalkwell9579]

Don't do it hahahhahaha it's shit here

[@davidwarren9204]

The Edmund Barton Building is pretty cool. Designed by Harry Seidler, it is a massive open square almost entirely elevated on columns, leaving a huge open and covered public space underneath. Until recently, the public could walk straight through/underneath it from all directions, it had seating and enough shelter for outdoor lunch on windy days etc. Sadly IMO, the whole open area has been fenced off for its new occupant (the AFP), who presumably see a need for increased security etc. But it is a pity that its former utility as public open space was ruined in the process.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes, I was tempted to go there but I know just judging from the harassment alright by 'authorities' about filming public buildings even from the street, we are going to get in trouble with the Australian Federal Police for sure.

[@davidwarren9204]

@@Archimarathon Yep, they're paid I guess to be a bit suspicious these days, and making them wander out to ask you what you're doing would get them off side form the git-go. But you'd probably find that, if you first go to the front desk, talk to the security guards and give them the heads-up that you are an architecture channel etc, they would be fine. With a few exceptions (ASIO, ONA and a couple of others which also have interesting buildings), they probably don't have a problem with filming etc as such, but they just want to know what/why/etc. We live in weird times, but the security guards etc are generally pretty approachable. The might need to ring and check with their supervisors, but I'd be surprised if many just knock you back, if you ask first...

[@Archimarathon]

Oh Andrew and I are sure that with all the facial recognition softwares and the amount of times we have seen security guards suddenly going inside whilst speaking on walkie talkies, we are already on ASIO's files. Checked on this channel and thought we are low risk.

[@katelawrence7445]

There is a amazing mural of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin on the Woolstore building on the corner of Cummingham St and the Causeway in the Kingston foreshore area. It stands about 3 storeys tall and overlooks the train station. The Woolstore in a fitting building to host them.

[@Archimarathon]

Their original train line was meant to go through Canberra all the way to Queanbeyan

[@benkeane797]

Really interesting to hear the story around the Griffins and the original design of Canberra, cheers!

[@Archimarathon]

Check the link I posted in the description.

[@richardkocksworthy8423]

"$tory" Time

[@australiacalling8869]

I love the European species in the ACT. The seasons are beautiful 😻

[@u3017913]

In the future you guys have to come to questacon! And get a tour of the labyrinth underneath the library really really really cool

[@eatingtheatkins]

I wish this video had come out when I was doing my honours thesis, would have helped immensely! Joking aside, this is a great video and very informative, excellent work.

[@rouaneb6664]

I wonder if there are any of the bus stops with the windows still intact.. I remember seeing so many broken or completely clouded and yellowed windows 10 years ago, but all the windows are empty now and a lot of the stops are getting replaced with generic glass ones (that I swear manage to drain onto the seats every single time it rains). A lot of the murals that used to be on every other one got painted over too.

[@Archimarathon]

Oh they actually had Perspex windows or something? Amazing

[@TyroneBeiron]

Love the chats and the walkabout. Found your channel by accident (thanks to whatever it was I 'liked' prior). Quite sure the solo bollard (time mark 19:15 thereabouts) is to protect the tree from a vehicle parking in the lot next to it. Might not have been a heritage tree but probably been banged before! 🤦🏻‍♂️😆

[@Archimarathon]

Actually the answer to where these bollards came from and why there and random ones around can be found in the comments

[@TyroneBeiron]

@@Archimarathon Yes, I later read through some of those... 😆🥃🥃👍🏼

[@gabybordino6024]

Great video! Cities that are designed from scratch are not common and it´s always interesting to see what happened from paper to real-life through the years. I didn´t know much about Canberra (I guess I have to study it a little) but I´ve watched a series a couple of years ago that took place there (Secret City) and what I got from there was nice. Going back to this video, each minute deserves a full episode. Amazing buildings! Looking forward to seeing the next videos

[@Archimarathon]

Check out the video in the description about Griffin’s original plan and what that could mean in the 21st century

[@gabybordino6024]

@@Archimarathon Sure! Will do that as soon as I can. I´m having busy days but managed to have enough time to watch yours and participate here ;)

[@kanguruster]

I have a mark 1 bus stop right outside my home. Loved it in the '70s, hated it in the '80s and 90s, neutral since, mainly because it makes parking close to home impossible! One of the biggest design travesties is where politicians ignored and rewrote the original plan for the location of the new and permanent parliament house. Marion and Walter wanted that location to be a people's building, a great library or a museum. What got built was a building for people who leave Canberra as soon as they're able; people who want to remove the architectural features of transparency for their security and convenience; people who denigrate Canberra and who use its name in unflattering ways (e.g. "the Canberra bubble"). The permanent parliament house should have been build in Fyshwick.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes the problem of politicians meddling with architecture completions and the vision had always been a problem in Australia

[@kbal1451]

Yeah, however, I think the bunker is a great building and I've been to quite a few public functions there. Also family and friends have worked there, they are not politicians but long-time Canberrans.

[@zheenahaydari5145]

My favorite youtube channel

[@romanmamus]

Great intro!!! Looking forward to the in depth videos!

[@Archimarathon]

Stay tuned

[@ventross4149]

Wish we actually followed through on the whole trams thing. Not having a licence here as a young adult kinda blows

[@Archimarathon]

Or a s visitor without a car. Are there an dockless electric bike scheme in Canberra yet?

[@ventross4149]

@@Archimarathon Not that I’m aware of. There are electric scooters everywhere, but most don’t have their helmets anymore and I’m not particularly confident about riding one at speed, so walking it is :\

[@chefgav1]

have you been out of Canberra for a while? Trams here for a few years now

[@Archimarathon]

@@chefgav1 not according to Griffin’s plan. That’s what he meant

[@ventross4149]

@@chefgav1 if you don’t live in dickson/civic you’re fresh outta luck. I’ve lived here since 2003

[@davidasbury2265]

Canberra, as a city, a community and a place to live, it doesn't get much better. On the subject of 'Post & Beam' structures check out Manning Clark's house (inside & out) 11 Tasmania Cir, Forrest ACT 2603.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for the heads up

[@efeoz8131]

We want Archimarathon Canberra 2021 trip to solve/speculate about the great mystery of bollards

[@Archimarathon]

Lots to work out the logistics

[@Ibis-of-Equilon]

Come down to Kingston foreshore. Would be great to get your critique on the new presinct

[@maynardarchitects]

It’s great. I mentioned it to Kev, but we ran out of time.

[@Archimarathon]

Next time

[@HaroldSchranz]

​@@Archimarathon Kingston I regard as the Mistake By The Lake ... a lot of unresolved issues created ... no space for a cycle route ... developers won out with shoddy design and building materials that are already failing in parts ... it didn't reach the potential it could have had. Hoping the West Basin development will consider the environment as part of the equation. A wiser use of (so-called wasted) empty space (nature!) would be key!

[@froggy0162]

I cycle commute through there every day. A very unappealing demographic, lots of SUVs driven by entitled wankers… Will be another ghetto in a couple of decades.

[@FredPilcher]

I live in Canerra and I'd definitely be in your tour! :D

[@Archimarathon]

Cool. Check out the other in-depth videos first so you know what it is about. The Finnish Lutheran Church Canberra episode is already out.

[@Itsjustbool]

I'd be keen to join ya for a walk around town

[@J_T_RSK]

Great to see the Annex appear! , stopped for fuel behind it recently and discovered it hiding away from the limelight!

[@Archimarathon]

It's amazingly industrial context for such a beautiful piece of architecture.

[@grainybrews]

This got recommended by the algorithm and I laughed when i noticed the student housing because I live further up on UC Campus. I'm inspired to see some of these buildings in the flesh now

[@Archimarathon]

I think they are going to be renovated. They are emptied out. We thought they are empty because of Covid but apparently not. They did look a bit tired.

[@grainybrews]

@@Archimarathon bugger, I've always thought they were really cool.

[@Archimarathon]

@@grainybrews You can still go walk around and through the outsides. Just the interiors look rather tired and empty.

[@Hello_Evangeline]

I think they are going to be demolished?

[@mattthornton5216]

Beautiful city and great tour, thank you.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for watching

[@michaelphillips3713]

The Griffin's also designed Newman College, Melbourne Uni. A very unique and beautifully symbolic building.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes. Used to be one of the buildings I would take students to when I used to do Melbourne Archimarathon

[@johnclayden1670]

Live here and I love the place .... Fascinating about the tram routes: ver logical - coming soon I hope?

[@Archimarathon]

Check out the video link in the description about Griffin’s original plan and what it means for the 21st century

[@robman2095]

Most of Canberra outside the oldest central area has native vegetation. However I think we can be grateful for the foreign vegetation in the inner suburbs in autumn.

[@RhiannonAgutter]

“Let’s go to Fyshwick” Why on earth would you do that?

[@Archimarathon]

We went there for um… a meeting

[@dave-ltd688]

All that architecture and I too am fixated on the Bollards. Or rather on the 'Why There' of Bollards... I think the singleton by the large tree is placed to protect the tree from wayward vehicles and the mismatched pair to protect pedestrians stepping out from the walk into the parking area. There may have been more landscaping near the parking edge at one time. As evidenced by your appreciation of the parking structure, you seem to believe that utilitarian structures should be designed with attention tko the esthetic effects on the user every bit as much as the structures they serve.This was a fascinating episode. Keep up the good work.

[@Archimarathon]

Check the comments. The answer to those bollards has been debunked

[@Archimarathon]

Also there is the stand alone episode on the carpark and in fact many of the buildings in this already have their episodes released

[@ACMichler]

Did you visit Commonwealth Place by Durbach Block Jagger (right in the middle of the shot across the lake) Some great green roof lawn rolling.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it used to be one of my factories. Andrew told me it hasn’t weathered well and didn’t want me to be disappointed

[@maynardarchitects]

Nice T-Shirt in your thumbnail Andrew!

[@ACMichler]

@@maynardarchitects Ha, that's right. I am in front of Tokyo House by A.L.X. Junichi Sampei

[@chrisbell1878]

That creek is the Molonglo River.

[@jonathanm9436]

Dudes - the AWM and the imminent destruction of the architecturally wonderful ANZAC hall and the 1/2 billion dollar replacement.

[@Archimarathon]

:(

[@ISCDesignArchitect]

my favourite part of canberra is the plentiful and wonderful mid century modernist dwellings/units

[@Archimarathon]

Hope they don’t get knocked down

[@buddhabike]

how can you find these?

[@ISCDesignArchitect]

@@Archimarathon Yes sadly many have been removed over the years as Canberrans dont see (generally) the architectural value and importance of pure early-mid modernist buildings. I studied there years ago and was always amazed at the plentiful pure, internationalist modernist buildings. Such fond memories. Canberra values their 1920's-30's traditional early buildings but sadly not as much protection for 50s-60s residential & commercial building stock

[@ISCDesignArchitect]

@@buddhabike pick any street on Northbourne Avenue:)

[@betula2137]

You are absolutely right on the human scale, and so often we create rubbish compromises which are neither in human scale nor practical! We do have the nice enclaves like the ANU, New Acton, Kingsborough Kingston, etc., but it is the biggest of shames that Canberra's construction had not been more promptly faithful to the Griffins -- Canberra truly would have been not only an instant city, but a desirable and incredibly forward-thinking one, a true impact on the world and a representative of everything Australian. Alas, you know the story. We did get a few good buildings in the Menzies growth, like the library, then some slightly unfortunate rearrangements of symbolism, like placing government above the people instead of a ziggurat (a representative flagpole, but the architect unfortunately had to conform to rules which made the segregation far worse). Channels like Not Just Bikes, Bicycle Dutch (who visited fairly optimistically), Alan Fisher, Oh the Urbanity, etc., may be of interest in terms of urban design more broadly. Canberra has an immense amount of opportunity. Its reports say a lot (in fact most) of the right things, but we still seem hooked into the greater Australian ambition for mediocrity, awful sprawl (which makes the original reasons for suburbia null), car-dependence, and a refusal to fully embrace our continental identity, of landscape, life, and the oldest cultures. It is often the outsiders who are the most keen of perception and perspective to the potential of Australia (like the Griffins) -- for example, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose comments here still ring painfully true today (like our current neglect of our renewable superpower opportunity against all determinable odds, [it seems] because we are rapt in fossil fuel donations for short-term capture leading us into the corruption watchlist without a federal ICAC). The ACT's planning laws are going to change to an outcomes-based one, so that should be interesting. We still have a loud minority of NIMBYs who yearn for the Menzies era to return, but we must adapt into the future, with a focus on well-being for all and other patchworks of innovation and cohesive collaboration.

[@lesflynn4455]

Civic is a basket case at present. The central Shopping precinct has moved a few times thanks to $$ and development projects in recent times, and the area has never really adjusted. Thousands of public housing units and their tenants have been moved to outer suburbs over the last ten years too. Many folks would call that urban renewal. I'm unsure.

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah it’s a bit weird and I can’t quite place it. Felt a bit like Asia, felt a bit like some part USA

[@selektor2567]

Red hill lookout is a cool spot

[@kevineyeo1]

This is a great resource on Canberra Architecture if you haven't already run across it www.canberrahouse.com.au/ Plenty of great houses scattered around, and some of the primary schools Enrico designed are worth a look, Giralang, Latham. Love your work guys!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Yes. I hope your comment stays because KZbin tends to remove posts with links. Also we are not going to stick a camera to primary schools which is why we did the War Memorial Annex

[@dylanmonster8096]

Fun fact There is a school in Canberra that uses its own wind to power itself

[@Archimarathon]

That’s pretty good.

[@WelcomeToSteph]

Sooo devo that I couldn't make it to show you around 😭 please tell me you went to Braddon? And hydrated at BentSpoke? Feeling very nostalgic for Canberra and can't wait for the future episodes!! Also, WBG was a landscape architect no? I think I learned that at the Marion Mahony exhibition that was on at Museum of Sydney...

[@Archimarathon]

Yes ate and drank at Bentspoke. That was the only. brand of beer I had in Canberra. Drink local always.

[@WelcomeToSteph]

@@Archimarathon stay hydrated people!!

[@jaredhee4194]

great video!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Jared

[@Real_loose_unit]

I wish they made the trams!

[@Archimarathon]

That would have been nice

[@britishsouvenirs5563]

Nice

[@ethanscotney9999]

super excited for the next episodes! sucks that politics gets in the way of the design and architecture.

[@Archimarathon]

Ahh yes you just watched Clouds - Jørn Utzon.

[@ethanscotney9999]

@@Archimarathon yes, I also remember reading about the opera house fiasco in 'a singular vision - harry seidler autobiography'

[@robman2095]

Ah yes, the eternal battle between the architect and the client if the client is an architectural philistine.

[@elbowomar2430]

Their survivers from days of the NCDC national capital development commission before local government . One vision

[@Archimarathon]

I heard Churchill House is earmarked for demolition. I thought all Boyd's work are protected almost

[@elbowomar2430]

Anything is possible the rules have been thrown out and the developer will seek damages , their has also been many attempts to stifle (progress) for short term cash and the courts have fallen in to line.

[@gcg2927]

There’s allot of esoteric grids and alignments in Canberra

[@Archimarathon]

Made more sense in the original scheme by the Griffins.

[@vonkurtz8437]

Symmetry 🤤

[@oscarschroder1224]

I’m surprised there’s no talk about the 40 million roundabouts in canberra

[@Archimarathon]

You mean the roundabouts as originally planned as tram stops or the cloverleaf round about off ramps from the car dependency?

[@Archimarathon]

We also try to focus on positive things as it is too easy to pick on negative things in our videos.

[@marksnowden89]

2:28 the good old square and compass masonic symbolism

[@Archimarathon]

More Canberra conspiracy

[@jaydengoodrem4426]

i love canberra

[@gabrielmclean298]

can these go for 30min need the informal points

[@Archimarathon]

Watch a bunch. Watch it on repeat.

[@ISCDesignArchitect]

:) YES seconded!

[@gabrielmclean298]

Damn......that makes sense

[@themob8925]

Home sweet home :)

[@Archimarathon]

Seems like the whole of Canberra are commenting. LOL

[@TheAdventuresofRussell]

I do videos all the time on Canberra and shooting on Mount Ainslie is such a a pain with all the tourists. It is great cycling around the lake. Looking at Parliament house with cows in front is rather surreal and then on other other side you are surrounded by bush. I personally dislike the High Court and NGA as they are just concrete blocks. How did you manage to film inside the High Court? You're not meant to usually. The only good Brutalist architecture is the National Carillion.

[@Fatlou_]

Feeling very unresolved now not knowing why those bollards are randomly placed

[@Archimarathon]

Were they placed or they followed us?

[@robman2095]

I think the one on its own in the carpark might be to protect the tree behind it from traffic that can’t decide quickly enough whether to go left or right 😂

[@turtledove2095]

why is Andrew so adorable

[@Archimarathon]

Because he is a big goofy dork.

[@robman2095]

You didn’t mention the new parliament house.

[@Archimarathon]

That's because we want to talk about lesser known and visited buildings as stated

[@eposntrix]

It should be recreationally legal Australia wide rather than solely in Australia's Capital Territory. Cannabis that is.

[@stussysinglet]

Visited last year for the first time.. I also found it to be quite a weird place which I guess gives it it’s charm.. the gardens, greenery and lake are beautiful and I do find Parliament house and the war memorial impressive pieces of architecture. The city centre although somewhat interesting is somewhere I felt could be improved. A lack of attractive buildings, parts that felt slightly run down and lots of car parks were amongst my thoughts of this area. I did find some interesting bits of mid century modern architecture and allot impressive street art behind numerous buildings and laneways Overall I really like the city and plan to discover more of it again some time soon.

[@Archimarathon]

It’s a strange place and it’s easy to hate on it. Discover and give it a chance

[@froggy0162]

The “city” is ugly as hell. It’s all a good advertisement for why all commercials architects in the 1980s should have been shot…

[@stussysinglet]

@@froggy0162 I don’t find the overall layout of Canberra and its suburban sprawl ugly... it’s quite charming and beautiful... It’s simply just the city centre or lack of one that is so unappealing. Looks like plans were made about 10 years ago to try and greatly improve the area which included filling in allot of the car parks with apartments and attractions, getting rid of the overpasses/ high way and extending the city centre to an attractive lively waterfront. The plans looked great offering Canberra what it desperately needs.. an attractive lively city centre for tourist and young people that live there. A pity so many people objected to the proposal.

[@froggy0162]

@@stussysinglet Everything was built on the cheap though. Even the older “heritage” stuff was cheap crap in it’s day. The new suburbs around Stromlo are horrific, cheap shit modern dog boxes, the older suburbs are just old cheap shit houses. The offices in town are all cladding and scream cheap… The newer “funky” stuff just comes off as try hard.

[@stussysinglet]

@@froggy0162 if it wasn’t for the lake and large amounts of parkland I could see how the city wouldn’t have much appeal. the city was built up just after post war which means the city missed out on the beautiful architectural styles that existed decades earlier..

[@jazz9807]

My teacher calls Tuggeranong "thugranong" haha

[@wengfu4132]

Gotta say, Canberra is innovative, but it's a hit or miss. I cannot bear the mixed designs incorporated and the so called 'planned' suburbs where everything is optimised for space and profit. Some really nice suburbs tho are Forrest and Griffith, but I'm sure those property prices are sky high. Also, the expansion of this city is primarily north, but there's little consideration of south. In terms of public transport, Canberra has had a lot of planning, with the original avenue gaps on the main roads being meant for street cars I believe, but were never built, having a tram built in this current time seems quite unnecessary. A high population growth is expected for Canberra, some saying up to 700k which is about I believe around D.C's pop and a little above Copenhagen. Meaning we should plan ahead with so many things, hell, let's even get metro if we are truly the capital and have had such and will keep having such a high population growth, it may be expensive, but surely the light rail is just as expensive.

[@wengfu4132]

Also, I forgot to say but a lot of Canberras modern property developments, especially those of the apartment blocks are usually riddled with corruption and lack of building standards, and that isn't solely put on the government itself but the companies and people who run them, on which are opting for quantity over quality. I like to call the buildings at Kingston Foreshore the modernised Commie-blocks.

[@wengfu4132]

Also, City Hill and its buildings around it looks ugly enough already, and they want to build more!

[@lukei6255]

I think the land belonged to the Aboriginal people before English occupation. I assume the colonial Australian government paid zero for this, just grabbed it for free in the name of the English queen or king (same family as the present queen, who never apologized for stealing the land and all the atrocities committed in her family's name).

[@1imanni1]

How can you forget Telstra Tower LOL

[@Archimarathon]

haha.... really?

[@BasedinReality1984]

Shame about the eyesore in front of the Old Parliament House .

[@Archimarathon]

You mean the King George V statute?

[@jareddiamond6607]

The curves are what makes it human, what let's your brain work, a grid system is the worst design for the freedom of your mind. If you grew up in a grid this may be harder to come to terms with. If U move into a grid it is obvious.

[@California4me1]

They worked along side Frank Lloyd Wright not 'for' him.

[@Archimarathon]

She was employee no.1 of FLW

[@dingliu6302]

Canberra is so badly designed, there's the vision. But it's destroyed by cars. City hill is mean to be a place for people to relax after work. But they surrounded it by motorways. Along with the carparks that take away 80 percent of the place inside London circuit. It's also insanely spread out, no mix use development which makes it hard to access anything without a car.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes I was so surprised by the sea of carpark around London Circuit and the amount of rabbits in City Hill.

[@dingliu6302]

@@Archimarathon I think they are gradually redeveloping the area for commercial and residential now. Hopefully that makes the city centre a little bit better

[@froggy0162]

I’ve been stuck here for 10 years and it’s a depressing pointless pile of shit in the middle of nowhere. It’s delusions of relevance grate the most though. Good mountain bike trails though.

[@robman2095]

Good for families, nature lovers and outdoors types. Not so good for inner city types and a lot of younger people who are more concerned with themselves and their cool friends most of whom who can’t wait to leave. Pretty bad for lonely people too.

[@gigicriesfordudun]

algorithm

[@Archimarathon]

What do you mean??

[@saxglend9439]

Your jacket is far too small.

[@Archimarathon]

Huh?

[@dadbod7636]

@@Archimarathon i think he’s pointing out that your meant to wear the “good ole puffed Kathmandu jacket” when touring Canberra at this time of the year😆