This exciting 1-day public symposium will explore modernist architecture in Australia and New Zealand through case studies of buildings that demonstrate a specific relationship to place, looking at under-explored examples of modernism in our region.

Co-presented by the Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia, University of South Australia, and Unitec (Auckland, NZ). Convenors: Dr Christoph Schnoor and Dr Julie Collins.

Many recent publications both in Australia and in New Zealand have investigated, summarised, and re-evaluated modernist architecture in our part of the world. Despite these efforts, there remain gaps. Buildings that might have gone unnoticed a while ago, might create interest today.

In 1963, architect Ernst Plischke described the aim of modern architecture as achieving unity of space and sculptural quality, which needed to be based on a fulfilment of functional and structural needs. The main quality of such an architecture, he claimed, lay in the tension between these four cornerstones of architecture, and they needed to be carefully balanced. Plischke’s fascinating and durable definition appears as an extension of the Vitruvian triad (venustas, firmitas, utilitas), achieved by splittingvenustas into space and sculpture (inside and outside). But despite Plischke’s experiences of two entirely different architectural cultures in his life, what remained missing from his definition was the consideration of place. Local social, physical, material, and cultural factors influence architecture, and always have.

The symposium therefore has asked contributors to consider the relationship between modernist architectural ideas and the places in Australia and New Zealand where specific buildings were designed. We invited submissions of case studies of single buildings that demonstrate a specific relationship to place, whether they were well-kept buildings, buildings in danger or even lost or unbuilt buildings.

The presentations will show a broad range of functions, from residential to commercial to governmental and religious buildings. These presentations will form the starting point for larger research projects to record and discuss under-explored modernist buildings across New Zealand and Australia.  

Speakers include: Professor Philip Goad (University of Melbourne), Professor Deborah Ascher Barnstone (University of Sydney), Dr Daniel J. Ryan (University of Sydney), Dr Lisa Marie Daunt (Phillips Smith Conwell Architects), Chris Burns (Heritage SA), Dr James Curry (University of South Australia), Kerry Francis (Unitec Auckland), Dr Isabel Rousset (University of Technology Sydney), Dr Silvia Micheli, Associate Professor Antony Moulis and Virginia Rigney (University of Queensland and Canberra Museum and Gallery), Dr Stuart King (University of Melbourne), Dr Amit Srivastava, Dr Aaron Humphrey, Steve Cook, Dr James Curry, and Benjamin Nicholls (University of Adelaide and University of South Australia), Rachel Jackson, Amy Jarvis and Edwina Jans (Canberra Modern), Dr Catherine Howell (University of South Australia and Heritage SA), Elsie Telford and Dr Akari Nakai Kidd (Deakin University), Ann Cleary (University of Canberra), Dr Julie Collins (University of South Australia), and Dr Christoph Schnoor and Sinead McClay (Unitec Auckland).

AASA ‘This is Modernism’ Symposium Steering Group: Prof Deborah Ascher Barnstone, Dr Christoph Schnoor, Dr Stuart King, Dr Isabel Rousset, Ann Cleary, Dr Julie Collins, with AASA Secretary Dr Martha Liew

Enquiries: Architecture Museum +61 8 8302 9235 (Mon-Wed) [email protected]

City West campus map: https://www.unisa.edu.au/siteassets/campus-facilities/maps/city-west-campus-and-access-map.pdf

‘This is Modernism’ is being held at the University of South Australia on Kaurna Country, the traditional country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs, and relationship with the land, and we acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. ‘This is Modernism’ is being held in the Pridham Hall function room and we acknowledge the generosity of alumnus Andrew Pridham, benefactor of Pridham Hall.

Images: Churchill House, Canberra, Robyn Boyd (1969-1971) Ann Cleary; Townsville Law Courts - Edmund Sheppard Building (1975). Photographer: Richard Stringer, Courtesy of Phillips Smith Conwel; Billam House, Brighton, John Chappel (1964) Courtesy of State Library of South Australia BRG346/29/17/8 Arnold Studio.