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The Australian Parliament House is a massive structure located in the heart of Canberra, Australia's capital city. Officially opened in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II, the building symbolises democracy and serves as a functional space for the country's government. Designed by the Philadelphia-based architectural firm Mitchell/Giurgola, the Parliament House features a striking triangular shape, with two large curved walls dividing it into four quadrants: the formal entrance, event space, House of Representatives, executive wing, and Senate. The building is constructed with over 4,000 tonnes of granite and 30,000 cubic metres of concrete, rising four metres above the original height of Capital Hill. It contains 4,700 rooms, including offices for government officials, committee rooms, a library, and a press gallery. The Parliament House also boasts the largest Australian flag in the country, atop an 81-metre flagpole.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Canberra, Australia |
| Opening Date | 9 May 1988 |
| Opened By | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Cost | $1.1 billion (equivalent to about $4.9 billion in 2022) |
| Design | Triangular shape with two large curved walls dividing the structure into four quadrants |
| Flagpole Height | 81 metres (266 ft) |
| Number of Rooms | 4,700 |
| Building Materials | Granite (4,000 tonnes), concrete (30,000 cubic metres) |
| Features | Public galleries, offices for the Prime Minister and other government officials, committee rooms, a library, a press gallery, artworks and sculptures |
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What You'll Learn
The building symbolises democracy
The Australian Parliament House in Canberra, the meeting place of the Parliament of Australia, symbolises democracy in several ways. Firstly, the building's design is centred around two large curved walls that divide the structure into four quadrants, each representing a crucial function of democratic governance. Clockwise, these quadrants are: the formal entrance and event space, the House of Representatives, the executive wing, and the Senate. This design reflects a democratic ideal of transparency and accessibility, where the people are meant to be above the government, both literally and metaphorically.
The Parliament House is also designed to be environmentally sustainable, incorporating passive heating and cooling systems, water recycling, and energy-efficient lighting. This sustainability reflects a democratic value of stewardship, recognising the responsibility to manage and protect the environment for current and future generations. The sweeping lawns leading up to the entrances further emphasise this openness and accessibility, inviting citizens to engage with their elected representatives and participate in the democratic process.
The building's location on Capital Hill is significant, as it rises above the landscape, symbolising the importance and prominence of democratic ideals in Australian society. The triangular shape of the building, capped by a large Australian flag, becomes a visual landmark, reinforcing the idea that democracy is the pinnacle of Australian values. The flag, the largest in the country, serves as a constant reminder of national unity and pride, integral to a thriving democracy.
Furthermore, the Parliament House contains numerous artworks and sculptures, including the impressive Great Hall Tapestry, inspired by an Arthur Boyd painting. These artistic elements enrich the democratic experience, providing a cultural context and a sense of national identity. The building also houses important functional spaces, such as offices for the Prime Minister and other government officials, committee rooms, a library, and a press gallery, all necessary for the day-to-day workings of a healthy democracy.
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It's environmentally sustainable
The Australian Parliament House in Canberra, Australia's capital city, was opened on 9 May 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II. It is designed to be environmentally sustainable, with a range of eco-friendly features.
The building is designed to be functional and to symbolise democracy. It is a modern architectural masterpiece with a striking triangular shape. The design involves burying most of the building under Capital Hill, with the structure rising above the landscape. The building features two large curved walls that divide the structure into four quadrants: the formal entrance and event space, the House of Representatives, the executive wing, and the Senate. These walls are sunken into the hill, so the building appears to emerge from the land, rather than towering over those beneath it. This design also allows people to walk on grass roofs over their representatives, symbolising the people's authority over the government.
The Parliament House is environmentally sustainable, using passive heating and cooling systems, water recycling, and energy-efficient lighting. The building's construction also utilised sustainable practices, with over 4,000 tonnes of granite and 30,000 cubic metres of concrete. Most of the granite used was sourced from Australia, and twice the amount needed was quarried to ensure a high standard, especially for the curved walls. About one million cubic metres of rock were excavated from the site and used to fill low-lying areas in the city.
The Australian Parliament House is a popular destination for visitors to Canberra, with guided tours available to the public. Visitors can observe parliamentary proceedings from public galleries, view the artworks and sculptures, and learn about the history and function of the Australian Parliament.
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It's capped with a large Australian flag
The Australian Parliament House is located in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The building was officially opened on 9 May 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II. It is designed to be a functional and democratic space for the country's government. The design of the Parliament House features two large curved walls that divide the structure into four quadrants: the formal entrance and event space, the House of Representatives, the executive wing, and the Senate. The building is capped with a large Australian flag, which is supported by an 81-metre (266 ft) flagpole. This is the largest flag in the country, measuring 6.4 metres (21 feet) by 12.8 metres (42 feet), roughly the size of a double-decker bus.
The design of the Parliament House was the result of a competition won by the Philadelphia-based architectural firm Mitchell/Giurgola. The on-site work was directed by the Italian-born architect Romaldo Giurgola, who envisioned a design that buried most of the building under Capital Hill. The flagpole and its supporting spires trace the outline of the triangular capitol building. The flagpole rises above the landscape, capping the edifice with an enormous spire. The design of the Parliament House also incorporates deliberate imitations of patterns from the Old Parliament House, creating a slight resemblance despite the massive difference in scale.
The construction of the Parliament House involved the excavation of about one million cubic metres (35,000,000 cubic feet) of rock from the site, which was then used to fill low-lying areas in the city. The building is four metres (13 feet) higher than the original height of the hill. Most of the granite used in the construction was sourced from Australia, with twice the required amount quarried to ensure a very high standard, particularly for the curved walls. The Parliament House is designed to be environmentally sustainable, utilising passive heating and cooling systems, water recycling, and energy-efficient lighting.
The Australian flag flying atop the Parliament House holds significant symbolic value. It represents the unity and sovereignty of the nation, serving as a constant reminder of the country's pride and independence. The flag's prominent position above the building reinforces its importance and ensures its visibility from various parts of the city. The flagpole's height further emphasises the flag's prominence, making it a recognisable landmark in Canberra's skyline.
The Parliament House is a popular destination for visitors to Canberra, offering guided tours and providing an opportunity to learn about the history and functions of the Australian Parliament. Visitors can explore the parliamentary chambers, admire artworks and sculptures, and gain a deeper understanding of Australia's democratic processes. The building's design, with its capped flag and modern architecture, has become an iconic symbol of Australia's governance and commitment to democracy.
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It's designed with two large curved walls
The Australian Parliament House is a modern architectural masterpiece that symbolises democracy and serves as a functional space for the country's government. The building, officially opened on 9 May 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II, features a striking design centred around two large curved walls. These walls are a defining feature, both aesthetically and functionally, as they divide the structure into four distinct quadrants.
The two curved walls are sunken into Capital Hill, allowing the building to emerge from the land rather than towering over those beneath it. This design choice symbolises the people being above the government, as individuals can walk on the grass roofs above their representatives. The walls are constructed with high-quality granite, sourced primarily from Australia, with twice the required amount quarried to meet the exacting standards for the curved walls.
The four quadrants created by these walls include the formal entrance and event space, the House of Representatives, the executive wing, and the Senate. The House of Representatives and the Senate are the two main chambers of Parliament, each with its own unique characteristics. The predominant colour of the furnishings in the House of Representatives is a tinted shade of green, suggesting the colour of eucalyptus trees. The seating arrangement in this chamber is horse-shoe-shaped, a blend of the arrangements seen in the UK's House of Commons and European and US legislatures.
The Senate, also known as the upper house, consists of 76 members, with 12 representatives from each state and two from each self-governing territory. The Senate chamber features a multitude of parties vying for power due to the proportional representation system used in elections. The Australian Parliament House, with its two large curved walls, not only serves as a functional space for these legislative activities but also as a symbol of democratic values, welcoming the public to explore its artistic and architectural wonders.
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It has 4,700 rooms
The Australian Parliament House in Canberra is a large building, containing 4,700 rooms. It was designed by the Philadelphia-based architectural firm Mitchell/Giurgola, with on-site work directed by Italian-born architect Romaldo Giurgola. The design involved burying most of the building under Capital Hill, with an enormous spire topped by a large Australian flag. The flagpole is 81 metres (266 feet) tall and flies the largest flag in the country, measuring 6.4 metres by 12.8 metres (21 feet by 42 feet).
The building is divided into four quadrants, with two large curved walls that separate the spaces. Clockwise, these quadrants are: the formal entrance and event space, the House of Representatives, the executive wing, and the Senate. The curved walls are sunken into the hill, so the building appears to emerge from the land, rather than towering over those beneath it. The grass roofs above these chambers symbolise the people being above the government, as people are able to walk on them.
The Australian Parliament House contains numerous important features, including the two main chambers of Parliament: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is tinted with a slight eucalyptus tone, and the seating arrangement is horse-shoe shaped. The Senate is the upper house, and the House of Representatives is the lower house. Both chambers have public galleries where visitors can observe parliamentary proceedings.
In addition to the main chambers, the Parliament House also includes offices for the Prime Minister and other government officials, committee rooms, a library, and a press gallery. The building is also home to many artworks and sculptures, including the Great Hall Tapestry, which measures 20 metres high and 10 metres wide. The building was designed to be environmentally sustainable, with passive heating and cooling systems, water recycling, and energy-efficient lighting.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Parliament House in Canberra is said to be a large building, covering 30,000 cubic metres and containing 4,700 rooms. The building is designed around two large curved walls that divide the structure into four quadrants.
The Australian Parliament House is four metres taller than the original height of the hill it was built on. It also features an 81-metre-tall flagpole, the tallest in the country.
Most of the building is underground, with the design requiring the excavation of one million cubic metres of rock. The design was intended to have the building emerge from the land, rather than tower over it.
The construction of the Australian Parliament House cost over $1.1 billion, which is equivalent to about $4.9 billion in 2022.
