“As soon as Tim Reeves told us about his idea we thought it was a brilliant way to encapsulate everything that makes living in Canberra special.” – Matthew Richardson, publisher, Halstead Press

Canberra is home to some of Australia’s most iconic buildings, and if their walls could talk they would speak of some of the most significant events and decisions in our country’s history. From modest workmen’s cottages to prestigious Government House, from the 1913 brickworks camp to prefabricated student housing in 2009, the very best domestic architecture in the Australian Capital Territory will be celebrated in 100 Canberra Houses—a new book to be published by Halstead Press and set for national release in early 2013.

Written by Tim Reeves and Dr Alan Roberts, the book presents a chronological selection that begins with the Administrator’s Residence built in 1913 and, averaging a house for every year, follows the city’s entire history through its residential constructions.

The houses are illustrated through paintings, photos and plans, and placed in context by descriptions of the architects and occupants, details of contemporary events, notes about urban styles and the building’s life in later decades.

Some houses have social and historical significance as well as architectural importance—The Lodge for example, and the home of Soviet defectors, the Petrovs. Some, sadly, have been destroyed, but many remain in residential use.

Together, these places that many Canberrans have called home, fill a handsome hardback volume, offering a different perspective on the history of the nation’s capital. 

To write this book the authors interviewed scores of people, including many residents of Canberra houses. Their deep archival research has brought to light a wealth of pictures and plans, to make the book a fascinating visual experience. The accompanying text illuminates many aspects of local and global architecture, lifestyles, and interesting characters.

One such character is grumpy old Colonel Miller, Canberra’s original administrator, who moved from his tent into the Administrator’s Residence during the construction. Miller did not see eye to eye with Walter Burley Griffin, and so began the long series of administrative alterations to the Griffin plan, which have made Canberra what it is today, and had profound implications for housing over the decades.

This new book will be distributed through bookstores nationwide, and also be available from Halstead Press.

Credits:

100 Canberra Houses in 100 Years is a Centenary of Canberra project, proudly presented by the ACT Government and the Australian Government.

Tim Reeves – Author
Alan Roberts –  Author
Halstead Press –  Publisher 

Image:

Extract from 100 Canberra Houses, designed by Kylie Maxwell