It’s coming up again in the next few months. You’ll be herding students in a city in another country. You feel like the teacher in the movie Spider-man: Far From Home. Last year, with a different set of students, it was a couple of cities in Europe. This year you are going to take your students all the way down under to Australia. This year, the focus of the trip is on architecture and to understand key features of buildings, from gates to staircases and from facades to the ceiling.
You’ve been working with your co-teacher to plan for the trip. Your researching the best candidate places to see in Australia. Can you do something in one city? Or do you need to visit other cities too? What would be the best places to visit in Australia?
About Australia
As a former penal colony, Australia has evolved into a very advanced and modern civilization, much like the Western world.
If the plan is to travel from coast to coast, it’s important to note that Australia has three time zones: the Australian Western Standard time which is UTC+8, the Australian Central Standard Time, which is UTC+930, and the Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is UTC+10. Keep this in mind when planning multiple trips across the country.
Three Places to Visit
While western designs mostly influence Australia’s architecture, it is also shaped by the weather and indigenous ideas. Here’s a list of the most iconic architectural creations in Australia that you should let your students visit:
1. The Sydney Opera.
No other structure in Australia should be at the top of the list when it comes to architecture. It is both majestic and a structural wonder as it juts out of the Sydney Harbor. The building was founded in 1957 and was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon. An exciting story to point out was that building the structure was riddled with problems, from mismanagement to government deceit, which ultimately destroyed Utzon’s reputation. The budget was $7 million, but the final cost reached $100 million. You will have a blast visiting the different opera halls and the restaurants.
2. The Australian Parliament House.
The chief architect for this building was Italian Romaldo Giurgola. This is one of the structures in Canberra whose creation was influenced by the need of government to connect with its people and by the country’s climate and topography. The forecourt adorned by mosaic tiles designed by Aboriginal artist Michael Nelson Jagamara greets visitors. The marble foyer includes strong 48 columns with soft hues of pink and green for colors. The Great Hall is for hosting significant events and banquets. The other three halls are the Member’s Hall, the House of Representative Chamber, and the Senate Chamber.
3. Shrine of Remembrance.
The style is classical. The building pays tribute to Australians who’ve fought in wars across the globe. The aura is serene and soulful yet with a tinge of pain. This shrine also offers a fantastic view of Melbourne.
You can also see the Olderfleet Building in Melbourne or the Council House in Perth. But the three architectural masterpieces on this are enough to satisfy one’s appetite for observing and appreciating the architecture.
