Building Highlight - Old Canberra House (ANU Staff Centre)
Old Canberra House was commissioned as a residence for the Administrator of the Federal Territory, Colonel David Miller, in 1912. It was the first two-storey brick house constructed in Canberra after it was became the new capital. The grand design included billiard, dining and drawing rooms on the ground floor and an upper floor with three bedrooms, servants’ quarters and balconies which enjoyed a commanding view over the district. The gardens were designed by Thomas Charles Weston, officer in charge of the afforestation of the capital. His plan included 260 trees on the residence grounds and Plane Trees planted every 9 metres along The Avenue.
From 1917 the building housed the Federal Capital Advisory Committee and Federal Capital Committee, until 1931 when it was leased to the British Government to house British High Commissioners. Several extensions and renovations were undertaken, including the expansion of the servants’ quarters and dining room.
In 1952 the ANU took over management of the building and it became known as Old Canberra House. It was leased to the Commonwealth Club and designer Fred Ward, head of the ANU Design Unit, was engaged to design furniture for the interior.
In 1966 Old Canberra House became the home of the ANU Staff Centre, a hub of social activity, serving meals and hosting many functions.
In the late 1980s the building came under the management of University House, with the top floor rented out to tenants.
In the late 1990s the building was converted to offices and became home to the ANU Humanities Research Centre. A new building, known as the WEH Stanner Building after anthropologist William (Bill) Stanner, was constructed near the former chauffeur’s cottage. This was followed by the construction of the JG Crawford Building on the western side of Old Canberra House in 2009, named after Sir John Crawford, who was Director of the Research School of Pacific Studies, Vice-Chancellor, and Chancellor in the 1960s and 70s.
Most recently Old Canberra House has operated as a café. The external façade, and outbuildings including the Chauffeur’s and Gardener’s Cottages are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
References
Australian National University 2011, Acton Conservation Area Heritage Management Plan,
Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants 2012, ANU Heritage Study: Acton Campus. Volume 1: Heritage Study, https://services.anu.edu.au/files/document-collection/Volume_1_of_the_ANU_Acton_Campus_Heritage_Study.compressed.pdf
Dexter, D 1991, The ANU Campus, Australian National University Press, Canberra.
Banks, J & Gaardboe, M 1996, Building and Landscapes: the Australian National University, Canberra, ANU Divisions of Facilities and Services and Public Affairs, Canberra.
