High Court–National Gallery Precinct AUSTRALI A N C A PI TA L T E R R ITORY The High Court–National Gallery Precinct is significant as a group of public buildings and landscape conceived as a single entity. The complex is stylistically integrated in terms of architectural forms and finishes, and as an ensemble of freestanding buildings in a cohesive landscape setting. The Precinct occupies a 16-hectare site in the north-east corner of the Parliamentary Zone. It includes the High Court, National Gallery of Australia and the Gallery’s Sculpture Garden. The landscape brief from the National Capital National Gallery of Australia Development Commission required that the High Court, National Gallery and surrounding landscape become a chambers. A waterfall designed by Robert Woodward and single precinct in visual terms, with the High Court as constructed from South Australian speckled granite runs the dominant element to be open to views from Lake the full length of the entry ramp. Burley Griffin. The National Gallery is a complex building of varied The Precinct is a synthesis of design, aesthetic, social and levels and spaces arranged on four floors of approximately environment values with a clear Australia identity. This 23 000 square metres. Like the High Court, much of the is represented in the pattern of functional columns and building is made of reinforced bush-hammered concrete, towers in the architectural elements, the sculptures of the an example of the architect’s philosophy that concrete has national collection in a landscaped setting, and the high as much integrity as stone. degree of design and craftsmanship in the complementary The Precinct was a high point in the career of Harry internal and external furnishings and fittings of the High Howard, who designed the Sculpture Garden in 1981. Court and National Gallery. This tranquil garden displays monumental sculptures from The Precinct is significant in representing the high point many countries within outdoor ‘galleries’. Howard was in the distinguished career of architect Colin Madigan, awarded the Gold Medal by the Australian Institute of who was involved in the project over many years. The Landscape Architects in 1996. design style employed in the Precinct is known as National Heritage List: 23 November 2007 ‘Late Twentieth Century Brutalist’, which is considered a pure interpretation of the modernist architectural style. The contract for the design of the National Gallery was won by the architectural firm, Edwards, Madigan Torzillo and Partners, who would also go on to design the High Court. The High Court, designed by Christopher Kringas, was completed in 1980 and the National Gallery, designed by Colin Madigan, was completed in 1982. Both were opened by Queen Elizabeth II and both were awarded the Canberra Medallion by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. The 40-metre tall High Court building is essentially one of concrete and glass comprising a number of major functional elements, namely a large public hall, three courtrooms, an administrative wing and Justices’ High Court of Australia AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL HERITAGE 7 3.