By Group GSA
Ceremonial places allow us to connect with our collective histories and to reflect on the values that define our culture.
The purpose of the National Boer War Memorial is to increase awareness and understanding of what is often referred to as ‘the forgotten war’. The National Boer War Memorial is located on the ceremonial axis of the Anzac Parade in Canberra and was dedicated on Wednesday 31 May 2017. Our approach to design, which we undertook collaboratively with public artist Jane Cavanough, is a synthesis of landscape and sculpture.
The memorial is unique on the Parade as it integrates the figurative sculptures into a landscape setting which is characterised by a rocky, undulating landform with sparse, arid planting, framed by hand-forged copper walls. The four bronze sculptures of mounted Troopers, created by the distinguished sculptor Louis Laumen, are the centrepiece of the memorial. A layering of interpretation is provided through cast bronze diaries set into the front wall, history text, and a poem extract from Boer War Correspondent, Banjo Paterson. The figurative sculptures along with the personal diary extracts bring humanity to the memorial creating a connection to an important part of our history from the time of Australia’s Federation.
"The memorial reflects on our national history which predates Federation"
Client: National Boer War Memorial Association for the National Capital Authority
Studio: Sydney, Australia
Key Facts: 1200m2
Location: Canberra, ACT
Traditional Custodians of the Land: Ngunnawal
Awards :
Photography: Ben Wrigley
For people. For place. For Country.
GroupGSA is a global architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and urban design studio, backed by the collective strength and creativity of 230+ design experts across four studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Ho Chi Minh City.
For 40+ years, GroupGSA has designed and delivered visionary projects for people, place and brands with outstanding client experiences. We offer multidisciplinary design services with expertise in Living Environments; Workplace & Commercial; Education; Cities and Places; Cultural; Hospitality; Mixed-Use, Retail and Industrial; and Transport, Infrastructure & Defence.
We value diverse thinking, collaborative working and innovative project delivery.