This exhibition compiles research on significant architectural objects and landscape places designed by the NCDC from 1958 to 1988. It demonstrates how the NCDC’s ‘total design’ philosophy forged a sense of place, and unearths the overlooked, and the lost projects from the period.
Through writing, drawing, models, and maps, it also invites visitors to record their memories of this unique moment in Canberra’s development.
Note, the map hasn’t been adapted for mobiles – better on a laptop or larger screen.
Exhibition title, dates, and venue
NCDC unearthed: architecture and landscape
Exhibition open Monday to Friday, 9.30–4.30
Wednesday 16 April–Thursday 1 May 2025
Building 7, Level B, University of Canberra
This project began with the ‘Making a City by Design’ symposium, held at the University of Canberra in November 2023 to celebrate the School of Environmental Design’s (now School of Design and the Built Environment) 50th anniversary. It was convened by Dr. Julian Raxworthy and it included contributions from established academics across the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and industrial design.
The project has since evolved into an investigation into the work designed and commissioned by the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) from 1958-1988, with the aim of publishing a book with the relevant contributions currently entitled Canberra: A city by design. This exhibition showcases a selection of initial research on the topic, together with samples of the NCDC’s publications and graphic work (reproduced with the kind permission and assistance of the ACT Heritage Library). It demonstrates how the NCDC’s ‘total design’ philosophy forged a sense of place, and unearths the overlooked, and the lost projects from the period.
Through publications, drawings, and maps, it also invites visitors to record their memories of this unique moment in Canberra’s development. We invite you to share your memories of the NCDC on the typewriters, on the sticky notes provided, and on the timelines installed on the high tables. Please feel free to linger on the original Sebel chairs that were installed in the CCAE library when it opened in 1978.
Editorial team and exhibition curators
Rahmatollah Amirjani
Ben Ennis-Butler
Sally Farrah
Dianne Firth
Mike Louw
Research Assistants
Nathan Pauletto
Noah Watson
Contributing authors to date
Rahmatollah Amirjani
Ann Cleary
Ben Ennis-Butler
Sally Farrah
Dianne Firth
Philip Goad
Rachel Jackson
Amy Jarvis
Mike Louw
Silvia Micheli
Renee Miller-Yeaman
Anthony Moulis
Julian Raxworthy
Virginia Rigney
Paul Walker
Tone Wheeler
Tianchen Xu
Student work included
Huon Apps
Wyatt Boyce
Aman Ghanghash
Patrick Hennessy
Susana Kavadias
Rose Mackay
Kieran Minto
Ronan Olac
Raadiyah Rahman
Simran Thapa
Funders
ACT Heritage
The Alastair Swayn Foundation
The Centre for Creative and Cultural Research (CCCR), University of Canberra
The Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD), University of CanberraThis project is supported with funding made available by the ACT Government under the ACT Heritage Grants Program, and by an Alastair Swayn Foundation Grant.
With thanks to
The ACT Heritage Library
The Australian Institute of Architects ACT Chapter
The Australian National Library
Bill Shelley and Sam Shellard from Workshop 7 (FAD)
Emma Phillips for exhibition photography (FAD)
Fiona Morgan (FAD)
The Johnson family