Parliament House Canberra Grass Roof

The roof from the roof you can see how parliament house is successfully integrated into walter burley griffin s original design for canberra.

Parliament house canberra grass roof.

Parliament house canberra is probably one of the world s earliest and most successful green roofs. The time honoured tradition of rolling down parliament house s landscaped sloping lawns may be resigned to history in a bid to improve security. An impressive building situated in the heart of canberra. Very large text size works to install a massive steel security fence across the lawns of canberra s parliament house won t be completed until june 2018.

Do have a look up before you visit the roof you can see it from lots of locations in canberra. The reason for the design of the green roof at the time was not due to sustainability as an imperative rather it was conceived of in order to preserve the shape of the hill on which it was built. Views from the roof top terrace is stunning and really helps to appreciate the unique layout of canberra. After months of controversy and debate new security fences are now being installed on the grassy slopes of parliament house.

Member for fenner andrew leigh has praised the way the building was constructed to emerge out of capitol hill rather than sitting atop it as an imposing structure. It is placed on the land axis from mount ainslie which runs directly through the centre of capital hill. The australian parliament house green roof in canberra australia is possibly one of the world s earliest and most successful modern green roofs. Its 33 hectare site includes 23 hectares of landscaping ranging from areas evoking the australian bush to turfed areas and formal and semi formal gardens with native and exotic plants much of which you are welcome to explore.

The parliament house building was constructed in 1988 for 1 1 billion. The flagpole and flag when you access the roof you can get up close to the 81 metre high stainless steel flagpole and its 12 8 x 6 4 metres flag equates to a double decker bus. The original reason for the design for the green roof was to preserve the shape of the hill on which it was built. The home of australian democracy was designed to allow visitors to walk over the top of their politicians at work but this was reconsidered due to security concerns.

The free guided tours are informative definitely worthwhile if time allows. Explore the parliament house gardens. There s a café and souvenir shop as one would expect and free on site underground parking. The building is one of canberra most visited.

The new parliament house building has been warmly received for its beauty and democratic symbolism particularly the grass covered roof that allows visitor access. The form and detailing of the building and its. Parliament house is designed to be a part of the surrounding landscape.