AIATSIS occupies a prime position on Canberra’s Acton Peninsula, alongside the National Museum of Australia—both of which we designed concurrently. Rather than facing the peninsula’s public driveway, the building and its courtyard open towards spectacular views of Lake Burley Griffin and the Brindabellas.

As part of the design, we introduced an axis pointing to Uluru, reflecting the spirit of Burley Griffin’s Canberra masterplan, where significant streets align with key Australian landmarks. This Uluru axis takes the form of a red footpath that rises skyward at its south-western end, seamlessly integrating with the Boolean string design concept that is central to the Museum’s architecture.

Our client sought a building that would embody the ongoing nature of Indigenous culture while reflecting AIATSIS’s role as a sophisticated learning institution. During our design presentations, we referenced the former Bank building on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy (1880), which had been dramatically painted in the colours of the Aboriginal flag—a powerful statement of occupation. The AIATSIS board strongly resonated with this concept. What they firmly rejected, however, was the humpy-style so-called Aboriginal architecture that was widely considered appropriate at the time.

In response, ARM designed a black Villa Savoye—an inversion of Le Corbusier’s iconic 1930 Paris building—interpreted through a local lens. This approach challenged conventional representations of Aboriginal architecture, culture, and perception. The resulting design aligned with AIATSIS’s philosophy, creating a building that sits in dialogue with the neighbouring National Museum of Australia while maintaining its own distinct identity.