Aranda architecture is well known for houses of painted or clinker brick, skillion or flat metal roofs, clerestory windows and a wonderful connection with the natural bushland setting. Aranda was developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s and is located near large tracts of native bushland approximately 8km from Canberra’s city centre. Treetop views are captured using private, enclosed courtyards or timber decking. 

Araba Place, Aranda has multiple examples of outstanding architecture of this type of architecture by notable architects. Munns house was designed in 1969 by Ernest Munns as his family residence, and completed in 1971. The house has elements of the Sydney School style – painted brick, extensive decking, a native landscape setting and clerestory windows to admit northern light into the south side of the house – but it also features the post-war international style. The house is set high above the ground on a steep block: once inside, one is given the impression of being in a tree house. Araba Place is also home to a house designed by Roger and Anthony Pegrum in 1970, and completed in 1972. The L-shaped house, with its painted brick construction, tiled skillion roof, clerestory window detail and enclosed courtyards is a fine example of Roger and Anthony Pegrum’s work in Canberra during this period. The quality, layout and siting of the house make a significant contribution to the suburban environment. 

Nearby, the Paterson House at Juad Place was designed by Enrico Taglietti in 1970 and is an excellent example of his unique sculptural, organic style of architecture. One of Taglietti’s ‘fortress’ houses, it displays the trademark flat roof and deep, banded fascias for horizontal emphasis. The house is one of Taglietti’s most private, with a windowless street facade of grey brick and a stained timber fascia. The inside of the house is a series of intricate, connected spaces with each room having views of the surrounding bushland. 

The Aranda architecture stroll is a valuable opportunity to understand Canberra’s architectural and cultural history. 

This is a small group architecture stroll developed by DESIGN Canberra, in line with current COVID-safe restrictions. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.