On this day in 1973, Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam announced that the design for Canberra’s High Court, created by Sydney practice Edwards, Madigan, Torzillo and Briggs (EMTB) was the winner of a nationwide design competition.
Architecture news & editorial desk
The High Court of Australia in Canberra is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the opening of its building, with an oral history podcast tracing the history of the architecturally significant construction.
Described as an outstanding example of late modern Brutalist architecture, the High Court building was designed by the architectural firm of Edwards Madigan Torzillo and Briggs (EMTB), which was selected following a design competition in 1973. The brief called for a monumental building that acknowledged, but was clearly independent of the Australian Parliament.
EMTB director and architect Christopher Kringas led the design of the High Court, working closely with Feiko Bouman and Rod Lawrence. After Kringas’ death in 1975, just prior to construction, Colin Madigan, who was the team leader for the National Gallery, and Hans Marelli, oversaw the construction phase of the High Court building between 1976 and 1980.