Cameron Offices was designed by the renowned Australian architect Professor John Andrews back in 1968. Construction was completed in 1972 and the majority of the building housed the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). At the time, it was apparently the largest office complex in Australia. The major architectural styles demonstrated in the building complex are Brutalism and Internationalist. You will see examples of each of these.
The remains of the building complex is a shadow of it's former presence (see picture). Only 3 of the original 9 wings remain and these now show the effects of age and lack of maintenance. There have also been some structural changes over the years. It is important to appreciate the building complex as it was constructed to be rather than what you see today.
Much more than just a complex of buildings, Cameron Offices was the first major building in the Belconnen town centre and intended to be the predominant entity about which the town centre formed. The backbone of the Cameron Offices is an elevated pedestrian walkway/mall that flowed into the adjacent bus interchange and then Belconnen mall which was originally to be sited where the Belconnen library is today. This concept is known as structuralism but was never fully realised as the town plan deviated from the original design, the mall site was moved and Cameron Offices' level of incorporation and influence waned. Structuralism is a bit of a vague term; with more than one definition, but one of these is that the building should fulfil as many purposes as possible, integrating into the surrounding environment. Cameron Offices is still considered to be one of Australia's only examples of the structuralist ideal and this is why this building is of particular significance and heritage value.
The bare-faced concrete surfaces and clearly visible structural elements are hallmarks of the brutalist style. This is one of the most common styles of late 20th century buildings and is well represented amongst the ugliest building category. This is partly due the the fact that brutalist buildings have not aged well. In Canberra, the High Court, NGA and NFF House in Barton are some of the best and well maintained examples of this style.
The 2nd major style is Internationalist or more specifically Late 20th Century International 1960- style and is the dominant form of Cameron Offices. Elements include the long stretches of windows, external frame, cantilevered shade areas and contrasting shapes. Other major examples of this style in Canberra include the Edmund Barton building, now the headquarters of the AFP.
Waypoint 1. (S 35 14.433 E 149 04.168)
You are standing in a carpark that was formerly where a number of wings of the Cameron Offices stood. Facing towards the building you can see it has 3 distinct zones. These were labelled from left to right, A, B & C. The A zone is the blocky, cubic structure facing on to Chandler street. This was designated the executive zone and is the most obviously brutalist in style. Zones B and C consist of long stretches of office space in the clear International style. Note the style indicators including long stretches of windows and external sun-protection structures.
There are a number of stainless downpipes visible from here. A = number of downpipes.
Continue on round the back of the building towards Cameron Ave. At the very back of the building there is a sign that indicates which unit (or wing) this is. B = the unit number.
Waypoint 2. (S 35 14.463 E 149 04.140)
From this point, looking up towards Chandler St, you can see the overpass that contained a large cafeteria immediately above the walkway. Look back at the unit you just walked past. From this point you can see the externalised structures that have an almost gothic feel. The high structures you see are referred to as gallows beams and are a key feature of Cameron Offices. Externalising these structures resulted in expansive, pillar-free floor space inside the building.
There are native conifers just above you at this waypoint. C = number of trees.
Look across the street at the next wing. How many stainless downpipes can you see from here ? ( = D)
Now cross the street and walk around the back of the remaining wings. On your way take a peek inside the space between the wings to see the native gardens. Although closed off these days, the gardens had running streams, waterfalls and fish. The gardens between each wing had a different theme. Walk up though the remnant garden at the end of the last wing.
Waypoint 3. (S 35 14.508 E 149 04.213)
This end of the offices has been converted into student accommodation for the nearby University of Canberra.
The structure at this point was actually a fountain in a largish pool of water. There were originally rooftop gardens on top of each wing and a tennis court above wing 8 that housed a large computing centre. However there were major water leaks with Cameron Offices, such were the construction techniques of the time that the fountain spent most of its life dry and tin roofs were built over the rooftop gardens.
Count the number of fins of the fountain structure at this point. (= E)
This concludes the tour of Cameron Offices. Now on to the cache which is located at:
S 35 14.(C+D)(E-A-B)(B-C)
E 149 04.C(D+B)(E-C-D)
which is behind the Labor Club. Please be discrete when accessing the cache. It has already been muggled twice. I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of Cameron Offices. Please keep an eye out for future Canberra Architecture caches and happy hunting.
FTF: StormCatchers
