High Court of Australia Building

Court house in ACT, Australia

High Court of Australia building

High Court building, viewed across Lake Burley Griffin

General information
Status| Completed
Type| Court house
Architectural style| Late Twentieth-Century Brutalist
Location| Canberra, Australia
Address| Parkes Place East
Town or city| Parkes, ACT
Country| Australia
Coordinates| 35°17′56″S 149°08′08″E﻿ / ﻿35.29889°S 149.13556°E﻿ / -35.29889; 149.13556
Current tenants| High Court of Australia
Groundbreaking| September 1975 (1975-09)
Construction started| April 1975 (1975-04)
Completed| April 1980 (1980-04)
Opened| June 1980 (1980-06)
Inaugurated| 26 May 1980; 44 years ago (1980-05-26) by Queen Elizabeth II
Cost| A$46.5 million
Owner| Australian Government
Height| 40 m (130 ft)
Dimensions
Other dimensions| 24-metre-high (79 ft) atrium
Technical details
Floor count| 11
Floor area| 18,515 m2 (199,290 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)| Christopher Kringas
Architecture firm| Edwards Madigan Torzillo Briggs
Structural engineer| Miller Milston and Ferris
Services engineer|

* Frank Taplin and Partners (mechanical/hydraulic)
* Addicoat Hogarth Wilson Pty Ltd (electrical/fire)
* Peter R. Knowland and Associates (acoustics)

Quantity surveyor| DR Lawson and Associates
Main contractor| PDC Construction ACT Pty
Awards and prizes| Canberra Medallion, The Royal Australian Institute of Architects (1980)
Other information
Number of rooms| Public Hall
3 Courtrooms
Website
hcourt.gov.au

Commonwealth Heritage List

Official name| High Court of Australia, King Edward Tce, Parkes, ACT, Australia
Type| Listed place
Criteria| A., E., F., G., H.
Designated| 22 June 2004
Reference no.| 105557
References
[1]

The High Court of Australia building is located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle. It has been the permanent home of the High Court of Australia since 1980. The High Court building was designed between 1972 and 1974 by the Australian architect Christopher Kringas (1936–1975) – a director of the firm Edwards Madigan Torzillo and Briggs – who is commemorated by a plaque in the public hall.

The building was constructed from 1975 to 1980 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II, on 26 May 1980. Its international architectural significance is recognised by the Union of International Architects [UIA]. It received the Australian Institute of Architects Canberra Medallion in 1980 and the national Enduring Architecture Award in 2007. It was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004.[1] The Court and its Principal Registry were transferred to the new building and the first sitting in this location took place in June 1980.[1] The majority of the court's sittings have been held in Canberra since then.

## History

[edit]

In the 1950s, Prime Minister Robert Menzies established a plan to develop Canberra and construct other important national buildings. A 1959 plan featured a new building for the High Court on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, next to the location for the new Parliament House and the National Library of Australia. This plan was abandoned in 1968 and the location of the Parliament was moved, later settling on the present site on Capital Hill.[2]: ch 4 In March 1968, the government announced that the court would move to Canberra.[2]: ch 4

In 1972, a national, anonymous, two-stage competition was initiated by the National Capital Development Commission, attracting 158 entries. The competition jury comprised Melbourne architect Daryl Jackson, Chief Justice Sir Garfield Barwick, NCDC Commissioner Sir John Overall, NSW Government Architect Ted Farmer and Australian National University Professor Peter Karmel. In 1973, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam declared the design submitted by architect Christopher Kringas of the firm of Edwards Madigan Torzillo Briggs as the winner. The competition team consisted of Kringas as leader and director in charge, assisted by architects Feiko Bouman and Rod Lawrence (both Stages); Michael Rolfe (Stage 1); and structural engineer Aldis Birzulis.

## Architecture

[edit]

The design is a highly innovative architectural composition that extends the principles of Brutalism – a significant period of post war modern architecture internationally that emerged in the UK in the 1950s. After graduating architecture at the University of NSW in 1959, Kringas travelled to Europe and worked with the London County Council Architect's Department, seen as an epicentre of 'The New Brutalism'. Kringas joined the firm of Edwards Madigan Torzillo Briggs in 1964 and, with Colin Madigan, designed a series of seminal architectural works including the 1967 Dee Why Library, the 1968 and 1971 designs for the Australian National Gallery and the 1971 Warringah Civic Centre, as well as innovative solo designs. Kringas died of cancer in March 1975, aged 38, just 12 days before the High Court construction began. Following his death, architect Hans Marelli continued as the project director until the completion of construction in 1980. The constructed High Court building is virtually identical to the winning 1973 Competition Design.[3]

The High Court building arranges three courtrooms, Justices' chambers, the Court's main registry, library and administration facilities around an immense 24-metre-high (79 ft) public hall. A central public ramp system rises within the volume, connecting each component. The building is primarily constructed from bush-hammered reinforced concrete, forming an exposed monolithic structure. The bush-hammering is achieved by constructing the walls using formwork and hammering the concrete when the form work is removed. Large areas of glazing are supported on tubular steel frame structural back-ups. Careful attention has been paid to detailing, acoustics and natural light, which is admitted even in the courtrooms.

The High Court was designed to integrate with the edge of a vast elevated public plaza called ‘National Place’, which was to extend across the Parliamentary Triangle. However the NCDC later abandoned plans for National Place, leaving the High Court and National Gallery entries elevated above their surrounds.

## Interior

[edit]

Internal finishes are rich yet restrained. Flooring is aurisina stone, pirelli rubber or carpet. Wall finishes are concrete, plaster or timber panelling. Ceilings are plywood panelling, timber battened, plaster or concrete. Australian timber is used throughout the building.[1] Chief Justice Garfield Barwick maintained a keen interest in the building's design and construction.

Courtroom 1 is the main courtroom with an imposing timber panelled wall of red tulip oak from Queensland, 17.5 metres high. It also contains a long curved bench and bar table of jarrah timber. Blackwood panels are used in the ceiling. The Courtroom has a sound system reticulated to a room which accommodates court reporting services. It contains a woven tapestry incorporating the badges of the States and the Crest of the Commonwealth. Doors for each of the three courtrooms incorporate a special design, those of Courtroom No. 1 featuring a silvered bronze grid partly recessed and fixed into the laminated plate glass. The theme of the design is a shield, emphasising the Court's function as a protector of the Constitution and the liberties of the citizen. The door handles continue the emblematic design. Courtroom No. 2 is described as the "Working Courtroom", as it is the venue for the majority of hearings. It has similar wall panelling and fittings to No. 1 Courtroom, although the ceiling is of painted moulded plywood. Courtroom No 2 is also used for hearing applications for leave to appeal by video link. It therefore is fitted with special equipment for the transmission and reception of pictures and sound between the Courtroom and other cities in Australia. Courtroom No. 3 has been designed for cases which will be dealt with generally by a single Justice and is the smallest of the three courtrooms. It has a jury box so that a trial can be conducted on the rare occasions that such a case comes before the High Court. The Courtroom has been furnished with coachwood timber with a ceiling mainly of glass that provides a high level of natural lighting.[1]

## Artwork

[edit]

Specially commissioned art works complement the public hall as applied finishes or are integrated into the building's detailing. Included are the water feature designed by Robert Woodward, murals by Jan Senbergs forming an integral part of the public hall, doors at entry to Court 1 designed by Les Kossatz and George Baldessin and a wax mural by Bea Maddock in the public hall outside Courtroom 1. Photographic portraits of all Chief Justices and Justices who have sat on the Court since its inception are displayed along the wall outside Courtroom No. 1.[1]

## Gallery

[edit]

* The Australian High Court, seen from across Lake Burley Griffin.

* Entry hall

* Courtroom 1

* Courtroom 2

* Courtroom 3

* Great Seal of Australia at High Court

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f "High Court of Australia, King Edward Tce, Parkes, ACT, Australia (Place ID 105557)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
2. ^ a b Hull, Crispin (2003). The High Court of Australia: celebrating the centenary 1903–2003. Lawbook Co. ISBN 0-455-21947-8. Archived from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
3. ^ Kringas, S (2017). Design of the High Court of Australia. University of Sydney. pp. 118–351. hdl:2123/18605.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Australian Heritage Commission (1987). Register of the National Estate Database Place Report for the Sculpture Gardens, Australian National Gallery (Copy printed 20 October 2000 ed.).
* Australian Heritage Commission (2001). Proceedings of the High Court - National Gallery Heritage Assessments Stakeholder Workshop. Unpublished report.
* Buchanan, B. (2001). The Precinct of the High Court of Australia and National Gallery of Australia. Unpublished report provided to the Australian Heritage Commission.
* Edwards Madigan Torzillo Briggs (EMTB) International and Harry Howard and Associates (July 1980). "High Court of Australia: architects statement". Architecture Australia: 41–52.
* Garnett, R.; Hyndes, D. (1992). The Heritage of the Australian Capital Territory. National Trust of Australia. pp. 111–115.
* High Court of Australia. "The building". High Court of Australia. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
* Howard, H.; Buchanan, B. (1999). From Concept to Realisation - A Review of the Landscaping of the High Court of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia. unpublished report.
* Kringas, S (2017). Design of the High Court of Australia (PhD thesis). University of Sydney.
* Royal Australian Institute of Architects (1990). Citation for the Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture.
* Taylor J. (1990). Australian Architecture since 1960. The Royal Australian Institute of Architects. pp. 93–102.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to High Court of Australia.

* High Court of Australia official website
* High Court Documentary, a short documentary on the High Court and its building.

* v
* t
* e

Locations near Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

Yarramundi Reach
Tarcoola Reach
West Lake|

| West /
North

* National Zoo & Aquarium
* National Arboretum Canberra
* Yarramundi Reach
* Lindsay Pryor National Arboretum
* Glenloch Interchange
* Black Mountain Peninsula
* Sullivans Creek
* Australian National University

|

South|

* Molonglo River (out)
* Scrivener Dam
* Government House
* Royal Canberra Golf Club
* Weston Park
* Spinnaker Island
* Springbank Island
* Canberra Yacht Club

West Basin|

| North|

* Acton Peninsula
* Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
* National Museum of Australia
* Royal Canberra Hospital
* implosion

|

South|

* Lennox Gardens
* Hotel Canberra
* Albert Hall

Central Basin|

* Parliamentary Triangle

North|

* Commonwealth Park
* Captain James Cook Memorial
* Blundells Cottage
* National Carillon on Queen Elizabeth II Island

* Anzac Parade

South|

* Australians of the Year Walk
* National Library of Australia
* Questacon
* Reconciliation Place
* Commonwealth Place
* National Portrait Gallery
* High Court of Australia
* National Gallery of Australia

East Basin|

* Canberra Glassworks
* Kingston Foreshores Redevelopment
* Kingston Powerhouse
* Jerrabomberra Creek
* Jerrabomberra Wetlands
* Molonglo River (in)

* v
* t
* e

Canberra landmarks

Buildings
and structures|

* ACT Heritage Library
* ACT Memorial
* All Saints Church
* Australian Army Memorial
* Australia Forum
* Australian Merchant Navy Memorial
* Australian War Memorial
* Australian–American Memorial
* Basser Library
* Big Coins
* Black Mountain Tower
* Captain James Cook Memorial
* Centenary House
* Edmund Barton Building
* Gus's
* High Court of Australia Building
* Hotel Canberra
* Hotel Kurrajong
* Korean War Memorial
* Legislative Assembly Building
* The Lodge
* Lovett Tower
* Mercure Hotel
* Mount Stromlo Observatory
* National Carillon
* National Gallery of Australia Research Library
* Old Parliament House
* Owl sculpture
* Parliament House
* QT Canberra
* Royal Australian Mint
* St John the Baptist Church
* Scrivener Dam
* Supreme Court
* Tilley's
* Yarralumla
* Yarralumla brickworks
* John Gorton Building

Precincts|

* Canberra Centre
* City Walk
* Belconnen Town Centre
* Garema Place
* Gungahlin Town Centre
* Parliamentary Triangle
* Petrie Plaza
* Tuggeranong Town Centre
* Woden Town Centre

Parks and
open spaces|

* Australian National Botanic Gardens
* Black Mountain Peninsula
* Canberra Nature Park
* Canberra Peace Park
* City Hill
* Cockington Green Gardens
* Commonwealth Park
* Commonwealth Place
* Constitution Place
* Corroboree Park
* Glebe Park
* Haig Park
* Kings Park
* Lennox Gardens
* Lindsay Pryor National Arboretum
* Magna Carta Place
* Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve
* National Arboretum Canberra
* National Rose Garden
* Telopea Park
* Weston Park
* Yarramundi Reach

Cultural
institutions|

* Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
* Australian Institute of Anatomy
* Australian National University Classics Museum
* Blundells Cottage
* Cameron Offices, Belconnen
* Canberra Glassworks
* Canberra Museum and Gallery
* Canberra Railway Museum
* National Archives of Australia
* National Film & Sound Archive
* National Gallery of Australia
* National Library of Australia
* National Museum of Australia
* National Portrait Gallery
* Questacon

Sport|

* AIS Arena
* Australian Institute of Sport
* Canberra International Sports & Aquatic Centre
* Canberra Stadium
* Canberra Yacht Club
* Deakin Stadium
* Gungahlin Enclosed Oval
* Manuka Oval
* McKellar Park
* Narrabundah Ballpark
* National Hockey Centre
* Phillip Ice Skating Centre
* Phillip Oval
* Royal Canberra Golf Club
* Southern Cross Stadium
* Viking Park
* Woden Park

Transport|

* Canberra Airport
* Anzac Parade
* Canberra railway station
* Jolimont Centre

Entertainment|

* Albert Hall
* Big Splash Waterpark Canberra
* Canberra Theatre
* Casino Canberra
* Mugga Lane Zoo
* National Convention Centre
* National Zoo & Aquarium

Beaches
and islands|

* Lake Burley Griffin
* Queen Elizabeth II Island
* Spinnaker Island
* Springbank Island

Portals:

* Law
* Australia
* Architecture

Authority control databases: Geographic |

* Structurae

|

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template