Cameron Offices facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cameron Offices |
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Cameron Offices, pictured in 2006.
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| Alternative names | Government Office Complex Belconnen |
| General information | |
| Status | partially demolished |
| Type |
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| Architectural style | Brutalist structuralism |
| Location | Belconnen, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 35°14′31″S 149°4′11″E / 35.24194°S 149.06972°E |
| Current tenants |
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| Construction started | 1970 |
| Completed | 1976 |
| Demolished | August 2007 (partial) |
| Cost | A$16 million |
| Client | National Capital Development Commission |
| Owner | Bovis Lend Lease (since 2000) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Precast and in situ concrete |
| Floor area | 92,903 square metres (1,000,000 sq ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Andrews |
| Main contractor | T C Whittle Pty Ltd |
| Designations |
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| Official name: Cameron Offices (Wings 3, 4 and 5, and Bridge), Chandler St, Belconnen, ACT, Australia | |
| Type: | Listed place |
| Criteria: | B., D., F., H. |
| Designated: | 22 August 2005 |
| Reference #: | 105410 |
The Cameron Offices were a group of government buildings in Belconnen, Canberra, Australia. They were designed by architect John Andrews in a style called Brutalist structuralism. This style uses lots of concrete and has a strong, blocky look.
Construction of the offices happened between 1970 and 1976. Sadly, most of the buildings were taken down between 2007 and 2008. For about 30 years, the main tenant was the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Today, only three of the original nine sections, called "wings," remain. These are Wings 3, 4, and 5, along with a pedestrian bridge. Wings 4 and 5 have been turned into student accommodation for students at the nearby University of Canberra.
Contents
Building the Cameron Offices
The Cameron Offices were the very first big buildings constructed in Belconnen. They were part of a larger plan to create a town centre where people could easily walk between homes, offices, and shops. The idea was to connect everything to the man-made Lake Ginninderra.
Choosing the Architect
John Andrews was chosen to design the offices. He was a professor of architecture at the University of Toronto at the time. Andrews came back to Australia specifically for this project. He wanted to create a truly Australian modern building that suited the country's conditions. The offices were designed to hold about 4,000 government workers.
Materials and Construction
The complex was built on a large area, about 6 acres. It was made using a lot of concrete. Some parts, like the main walkway (called the Mall), used concrete poured right on site. Other parts, like the office wings, used precast concrete sections that were made beforehand and then put together.
Why the Cameron Offices are Special
The design of the Cameron Offices was seen as very important when they were built. They even received international recognition. They are listed on the Union of International Architects Heritage register. They are also on the Australian Institute of Architects register of important 20th-century Australian buildings.
Special Heritage Listing
In 2005, some parts of the Cameron Offices were added to the Commonwealth Heritage List. This list protects places that are important to Australia's history and culture. The government decided that Wings 3, 4, 5, and the pedestrian bridge had special heritage value. This meant these parts should be kept. However, the other wings (1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9) were not listed, which allowed them to be demolished later.
Challenges and Criticisms
Even though the Cameron Offices were famous for their design, they also faced some problems and criticism.
Design Issues
The way the buildings were designed, with open spaces inside the wings, sometimes created strong wind tunnels. This, combined with the concrete design, made them uncomfortable to walk around, especially in winter. Also, the buildings were very spread out. This meant workers had to walk long distances between offices and meeting rooms, which could be tiring.
Location Problems
Many government workers were moved to the Cameron Offices from more central areas. They often felt that Belconnen was too far away. The location was also criticized for being surrounded by car parks and too far from the main shopping centre. The original plan was for the shopping centre to be right next to the offices, but this changed. The shopping centre was moved further away, making the offices feel even more isolated.
Changes and Redevelopment
In the late 1990s, the Australian Government decided to reduce the amount of office space it owned. This was to help the property market in Canberra. The Cameron Offices were suggested for demolition.
Selling and Demolishing
In 2000, the buildings were sold to a company called Bovis Lend Lease. The plan was to demolish most of the offices. However, after more studies and discussions, it was decided that some parts should be saved because of their heritage value.
What Was Saved and Changed
From late 2005, the offices were slowly closed down and redeveloped. By early 2008, most of the wings had been demolished. But Wings 3, 4, and 5, along with the pedestrian bridge, were kept. These parts received some repairs and updates.
In 2010, Wing 5, which had been empty, was turned into student accommodation for the University of Canberra. Later, between 2013 and 2014, Wing 4 was also converted into student accommodation.
During the demolition work in January 2008, a section of the partly demolished building fell. It crushed a car that was parked outside the safety fence.
