Australian house design competitions have a rich history dating back to 1827, when Eliza Darling was the extraordinary amateur winner of her husband’s competition for a new Government House. This book explores seventy-five competitions over 150 years and shows how they have transformed Australia’s built environment for the better. With some nationwide competitions and others from every state and the Australian Capital Territory, designs range from workers’ dwellings to mansions, from seaside cottages to mountain bungalows, from a display village of twenty houses to a Commonwealth Games village of 150.
“This meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated book, from an award-winning author, is a must for any lover of residential architecture.”
With each entry comes details of the competition year, the host, the winner, the aims, budgets, prizes and entrants. Illustrations include floor plans, artists’ impressions, finished buildings and noteworthy individuals. This book is historically significant, yes, but above all it makes for informative reading and delightful viewing.
Tim Reeves
Tim Reeves researched Australian house design competitions as a PhD candidate at the University of South Australia, after completing a BA with first-class honours from the University of Adelaide. He has published a wide array of academic and other work. His 2013 book, 100 Canberra Houses: A Century of Capital Architecture—co-authored with Alan Roberts and also from Halstead Press—earned the Clem Cummings Medal from the ACT institute of Architects.
RRP $59.95
235mm x 215mm
176pp. Illustrated.
ISBN: 9 781925 043518