An ongoing mapping project by a research team from the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra
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 →
Architecture and landscape from the NCDC era.
Drawings, models, and maps exploring 1958–1988 developments in Canberra.
Note, the map hasn't been adapted for mobiles - better on a laptop or larger screen.
Welcome to an architectural wake.
Fifty projects that have been lost in Canberra’s urban development.
Northside. Southside. Online and in print.
Selected Canberra architectural highlights.
Researchers from the Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra
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
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
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
NCDC Unearthed: architecture and landscape. Featured in the 2025 ACT Heritage Festival.
Spectres of Architecture in Canberra featured in the 2024 ACT Heritage Festival.
Have you any other memories or photographs of projects in Canberra that you would like to tell us about?
Let us know!