ASIO builds

ASIO Parkes Way elevation

Romaldo Giurgola has reluctantly come out against his former associates’ ‘monster’ design for the ASIO building on Constitution Avenue in Canberra. It’s too big, too wide, and gets in the way of the views. The ABC paraphrases him as describing the, “linear design [as] a mistake which massacred the National Capital Plan, the strategic plan for Canberra and the territory.”

ASIO architects Francis-James Morehen Thorp are the continuation of Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp Architects, the architects of New Parliament House.

ASIO From Constitution Avenue.

Considering ASIO’s bumbling ‘get smart’ reputation, it is surprising that they are to receive a $600M, 40,000 sqm building for 1,800 staff. Perhaps it was ‘shovel ready’. It is also surprising that the building for the secretive department is so prominent.

Canberra residents and the Burley Griffin society believe the building will be a, “barbed wire city in the heart of Canberra”. ACT senator Gary Humphries is also against the design: “I just can’t see that this is going to be compatible with the concept of that was designed by Burley Griffin and which has recently been reinforced with the Griffith Legacy concept which has been affirmed by the National Capital Authority.”

On his website , Humphries calls for a two storey reduction as the building is over-sized for its context. “I am deeply concerned that the size of the building will interrupt the vista from the War Memorial through to the Parliamentary Triangle… It would create a wall-like effect along Constitution Avenue, separating the area to its north from the lake precinct.”

The ASIO website’s own description of the building doesn’t make much mention of its contextual suitability. In fact it says: “The building design is to be developed from the inside out – that is, the functional requirements of ASIO will drive the design rather than designing the building then fitting the functions within it.” It also says that the building will have good vistas and “take its place amongst Australia’s national institutions.”

Here are a couple of long shots from the ASIO website.

I have not contacted ASIO or FJMT to check, but I am assuming that the big red arrow is not part of the design, because that would be pretty silly for a secret service.

I must must admit I had always thought spies were meant to have offices hidden deep underground, with no vistas to speak of…

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Posted by Peter on 16.08.09 in buildings