Computation and Construction in Architecture (CoCoA) Lab

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Designed in Italy, Made in Australia

Designed in Italy, Made in Australia: Discovering the Australian work of Pier Luigi Nervi is a research project investigating for the first time the architectural–technical history of the professional collaboration between the renowned Australian architect Harry Seidler and world-famous Italian engineer Pier Luigi Nervi between 1963 and 1978, and its influence on the maturation of the Australian domestic construction industry.

Between 1925 and 1978, Nervi combined structural forms and inventive construction methods, inflecting the maturation of modern international architecture, becoming the first engineer to be awarded the RIBA Royal Gold Medal – the world’s highest honour for architecture – in 1960. In Australia, Nervi’s structural design and style unmistakably shape the iconic lobby ceilings of Australia Square tower and the Theatre Royal in Sydney. Nervi’s distinctive approach to structural architecture remains inspirational and is at the centre of the international scholarly discussion on innovative construction and structural optimisation.

 

For Harry Seidler, Nervi and his office (Studio Nervi) collaborated on the design of  

Australia Square Tower, Sydney, 1961 – 67 | Built
MLC – First Stage, Two towers connected by a bridge, Sydney, 1969 | Unbuilt
Hotel and Office Tower, ‘Waisted lady’, Sydney, 1970 | Unbuilt  
TGO, Edmund Barton Building, Canberra | Built 1970 – 74 | Unbuilt
CRA Development 1 (Rio Tinto), Melbourne, 1972 | Unbuilt
MLC Centre & Theatre Royal, Sydney, 1972 – 78 | Built
CTA Business Club, Sydney, 1973 – 75 | Built
Australian Embassy, Paris, 1973 – 77 | Built
Tuggeranong Energy Plant, 1975 | Unbuilt
Brisbane Bridge, 1978 – 79 | Unbuilt

 

In Australia, Nervi also designed the New Norcia Cathedral, Western Australia, 1959 – 1960 | Unbuilt 

Explore related Publications

The ghost of Pier Luigi Nervi in Martin Place. The Italian contribution to the design and construction of the MLC Centre and CTA building in Sydney.

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