CBR Architecture

An ongoing mapping project by a research team from the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra

NCDC Unearthed: architecture and landscape

This exhibition explores architectural objects and landscape places designed by the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) from 1958 to 1988.

Discover how the ‘total design’ philosophy forged a sense of place and unearth the projects of ‘lost Canberra’.

Exhibition open Monday to Friday, 9.30–4.30
Wednesday 16 April–Thursday 1 May 2025

Building 7, Level B, University of Canberra. Show me where this is →

NCDC unearthed
NCDC Unearthed exhibition

NCDC Unearthed

Architecture and landscape from the NCDC era.

Drawings, models, and maps exploring 1958–1988 developments in Canberra.

Spectres of Architecture in Canberra

Spectres of Architecture in Canberra

Welcome to an architectural wake.

Fifty projects that have been lost in Canberra’s urban development.

CBR Architecture Map

Canberra Architecture Map

Northside. Southside. Online and in print.

Selected Canberra architectural highlights.

CBR Architecture

Researchers from the Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra

Sally Farrah
Mike Louw
Ben Ennis-Butler

Project Teams

NCDC Unearthed

Sally, Mike and Ben, with:

Rahmatollah Amirjani and Dianne Firth, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra

Amy Jarvis, Rachel Jackson & Edwina Jans, Canberra Modern + GML Heritage

Antoinette Buchanan, ACT Heritage Library

Spectres of Architecture in Canberra

Sally, Mike and Ben, with:

Emma Phillips, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra

Rob Henry, Gia Ryan Lewis, Australian Institute of Architects, ACT Chapter

Amy Jarvis, Rachel Jackson & Edwina Jans, Canberra Modern + GML Heritage

Antoinette Buchanan, ACT Heritage Library

Awards

NCDC Unearthed: architecture and landscape. Awarded 2024 ACT Heritage Grant.

Spectres of Architecture in Canberra: Winner, 2024 National Trust ACT Heritage Awards, Heritage Education and Promotion category

Exhibitions

NCDC Unearthed: architecture and landscape. Featured in the 2025 ACT Heritage Festival.

ACT Heritage Festival

Spectres of Architecture in Canberra featured in the 2024 ACT Heritage Festival.

ACT Heritage Festival

Partners

About

Get involved

Have you any other memories or photographs of projects in Canberra that you would like to tell us about?

Let us know!