Building Highlight - School of Art & Design

Building Australia's National University: 75 Years of the Australian National University

The iconic Art Deco building which is now home to the ANU School of Art & Design was originally home to Canberra’s first high school, designed by Cuthbert Whitley and E.H. Henderson from the Department of the Interior Works Branch. Minister for the Interior John McEwan laid the foundation stone on 30 June 1938. When it opened in 1939, Canberra High School was regarded as one of the most modern high schools in Australia. However, with the opening of new high schools in Lyneham and Campbell, enrolments fell and the facilities no longer met students’ needs. In 1967 the school’s closure was announced, although a campaign saw the school relocated to nearby Macquarie.

The buildings then housed the City Education Centre, including the Canberra Technical College School of Art, which had been located in huts in Kingston until 1969. In 1976 the school became the Canberra School of Art, with alterations and extensions designed by Daryl Jackson Evan Walker (DJEW) Architects in 1978. The design created new structures and made alterations to the main building, former tuck shop and pavilion. Opening on 13 July 1981, it won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects first National award for architectural excellence.

Additional alterations, many designed by Alastair Swayn, were undertaken in ensuing years. This included work on the mezzanine floors, the glass workshop extension, and changes in the painting, leather and sculpture workshops.

In 1988 the Canberra School of Art and Canberra School of Music amalgamated to form the Canberra institute of the Arts (CITA) and the following year CITA became affiliated with the ANU. In 1992 full amalgamation took place and CITA became the ANU Institute of the Arts.

Strong enrolments put pressure on the building for space and in 1990 a site development plan was commissioned to allow for future extensions.

The buildings have been formally recognised for their significant heritage, with inclusion on the National Trust Register, Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate and ACT and Commonwealth Heritage Registers.

References

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.