Inquiry Into Canberra's National Institutions Submission 54
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National Archives of NA Australia Concept Design Report 27 July 2018 J PW JOHNSON PILTON WALKER Introduction Contents New Permanent Headquarters Introduction 2 Effective records and archives JPW was engaged in May 2018 to develop New Permanent Headquarters management is an essential a concept design and site masterplan for a new permanent headquarters building for the National Cultural Institution precondition for good governance, National Archives of Australia. the rule of law, administrative Vision 6 transparency, the preservation of The National Archives is the only national Stewardship of Records collecting institution without a permanent and mankind's collective memory, and purpose built national headquarters. The Information Society access to information by citizens. The idea for a National Archives can be traced Parliamentary Zone Site 12 International Council on Archives back to the original Burley Griffin design National Capital Plan for Canberra more than a century ago. The foundation stone for a National Archives was Humanities & Science Campus laid by Edward, Prince of Wales in Canberra Square in 1920 however no building was constructed Site Masterplan after the ceremony. NAA Headquarters Building 16 In 1983 Ken Woolley of Anchor Mortlock Concept Design Woolley was appointed to provide preliminary sketch plans for the construction of the Functional Area Schedule Australian Archives Headquarters building in the Parliamentary Zone. In the context of the Precedents 30 Stock Market Crash of 1987 and pressures Archives Buildings on the Commonwealth Budget, Cabinet Civic Spaces agreed to undertake a 'further review' which Learning Spaces ultimately resulted in a decision that the construction not proceed. 2 National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report JPW National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report 3 M aw National Cultural Institution The National Archives of Australia is The National Archives has the responsibility for unique among Canberra's national records of enduring legal, administrative and cultural value that enriches the knowledge and institutions. The Archives holds understanding of our society and people. the records of the Commonwealth, accumulated since Federation. It also has the responsibility to encourage and facilitate the use of those records to a broader These records constitute the public constituency and promote the cultural essential evidence of the activities significance of its collection. and decisions of the Australian The Archives is increasingly as visible outside Government and its entities. as well as inside government. The new By preserving and making National Archives building will significantly enhance its ability to present innovative public accessible records of all programs and exhibitions, and to connect with government entities - even those new audiences. that were once highly classified The new National Archives building will: - the Archives provides the most comprehensive mechanism for the > Complement the recently completed National Archives Preservation Facility; accountability of our democratically > Re-balance its dual responsibilities, elected Governments to the people increasing its public face; and they serve. > Address the demands of democratic Dr Denver Beanland, Chair Archives accountability and citizenship in our digital age. Advisory Council 4 National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report JPW National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report 5 JPW Vision Stewardship of the Records The National Archives building will The shared collective memory of the Archives respond to the timeless and timely is the preeminent resource to learn about questions of: the issues and events that have shaped and are continuing to shape our understanding of PERSONAL IDENTITY Australian history, government, society and Identity is one question we all ask culture. ourselves and continue to ask in one In this age of instantaneous information, the form or another throughout our lives. National Archives may not be the first place Ever since their births, human beings face but will be the final say through provenance of the questions of "Who am "How my its records on the authenticity of the fact. identity is formed? "What is the value of my being?" The move to a more inclusive, open government is matched by increasing levels and COLLECTIVE EXISTENCE of scrutiny and the public expectations to In the modem society, the existence access and to trust those records, that they and activities of the individuals are are authentic and have integrity. The National more closely embedded in the collective Archives has the stewardship of this on which presence and activities, and therefore the relationship between the people and its identity recognition must include both elected representatives is founded. the individual identity and the collective The new building will convey and affirm the identity. values of: in this DIGITAL AGE > Memory and identity; The richness and interactivity of network > Authenticity and integrity; and information greatly affects people's > Transparency and accountability. understanding and judgment of the world, and the perception and exploration of life. In the online world, distances, communities now all have changed meanings from the past. The Value of Archives in the Modern Identity, Huiling Feng ICA 2012 6 National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report JPW Archives Hall National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report 7 JPW The Information Society We are accustomed to having We live in the information age, where the national conversations concerning access to information impacts every aspect the management of essential of our lives, underpinning basic individual human rights, our economic prosperity and our resources - two notable examples national security. are energy and water. We have greater access to information There's another major resource than ever before and with it increasing that needs a similar treatment: contestability and questionable authenticity Australia's information resources. and rapidly changing landscape of privacy, confidentiality and security. David Ricker, Director-General NAA The National Archives has a role in establishing the framework for the Information Society that we believe in, of just and a correct outcomes, as it has in the broader Australian Society. As the primary advisor of information management to the Commonwealth, the same resources and expertise can also be used for the benefit of the public, improving 'literacy' in managing personal information footprints and archives. The new building will be a new civic focus on information discourse and embrace the opportunities of public engagement in the digital age. 8 National Archives of Australia Ffeadquarters Building Concept Design Report JPW Looking Towards Research Centre National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report 9 JPW Marion Mahoney &Walter Burley Griffin's Vision Section Rendering of Canberra showing the Capital Hill Archive Building, submitted in the Federal Capital competition, 1911 I... entered this Australian event to be my first and last competition, solely because I have for many years greatly admired the bold radical steps in politics and economics which your country has dared to take, and which must for a long time set ideals for Europe and America ahead of their possibility of accomplishment.., yours is the greatest opportunity the world has afforded for the expression of the great civic ideal. • z A Walter Burley Griffin, letter to 11E !J King O'Malley, 12 January 1913 •3ECTION D—A • .50VTIIERLY SIPE e)WATER AXIS' • GOVERNMERT GROVP • 10 National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report JPW National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building, View from Rond Terrace The Griffin Legacy Despite various changes to Marion Mahoney and Walter Burley Griffin's vision, Canberra remains a unique city design founded on a set of ideas about the potential of a new democratic nation. The power of their vision is that it is both an inspired response to place, and the physical embodiment of ideals that address the political, cultural and community well-being of Australians. Located within the Parliamentary Zone, the National Archives building resonates with the original vision for the capital and contemporary expectations for open access to Government information. National Archives of Australia Headquarters Building Concept Design Report 11 JPW Parliamentary Zone Site National Capital Plan As envisaged by the founders of The National Capital Plan sets out the To realise the Parliamentary Zone as the place the Capital, the 'Parliamentary' Parliamentary Zone as the symbolic heart of of the people it will be important to: the National Capital. It is the geometric and Zone represents the physical > Balance politics and culture; civic centre of the Griffins' plans for Canberra. manifestation of the seat of > Welcome people; The Parliamentary Zone will be given meaning Commonwealth Government > Celebrate Australian history and society; as the place of the people, accessible to > Represent Australian excellence; under the Australian Constitution all Australians so that they can more fully > Emphasise the importance of the public understand and appreciate the collective - a Government empowered by realm; experience and rich diversity of this country. a free people. It