National Library of Australia, 1961-72

Component identifier:

Series 3

Content Summary:

In 1961 the firm of Bunning and Madden was commissioned by the National Capital Development Commission to design a building for the National Library of Australia in Canberra, Walter Bunning was the partner responsible for the design of the building. In 1964, after the design was approved and tendering was completed, the firm set up an office in Canberra under Noel Potter. The importance of the building was recognised when the retiring Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, laid the foundation stone on 31 March 1966. Another Prime Minister, John Gorton, opened the building on 15 August 1968.

The papers relate to the design and construction of the building, 1960-68, and to modifications and additions which were carried out in 1969-70. The earliest papers are the plans, specifications and general proposals submitted to the Government by Bunning and Madden in 1960 and they are followed by the report, which accompanied the final sketch plan in 1962. There are also plans and proposals for the extension of the Lower Ground 1 floor in 1970. Among the correspondence and reports on the design of the Library is a letter from the specialist consultant, Dr Keyes Metcalf, dealing with space considerations.

Many of the papers are concerned with the Library's entrance foyer and exhibition areas and with the design and installation of works of art. Bunning wrote reports in 1962 and 1965 on the general principles underlying the exhibition areas and the design of art works. There is correspondence between Bunning and Mathieu Mategot, Leonard French and Tom Bass dealing with the tapestries, stained-glass windows and copper sculpture in the entrance foyer. There are also notes on the art works and exhibition areas, prepared by Bunning for meetings with the National Library Council and the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board. In 1969 some modifications were made to the foyer and Bunning received reports from A.J. Robinson and Ian Cook of the National Library staff.

The series also contains the draft and the brochure prepared by Bunning for the opening ceremony, an issue of the journal Architecture today (August 1968) and a volume of newspaper cuttings mainly relating to the opening of the building in August 1968. They include an article in the Canberra times on Bunning and his role in the construction of the National Library building.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Walter Bunning presented his papers to the National Library in December 1976, ten months before his death.

Names:

Walter Bunning

Contents

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