The American Planners Who Designed the Australian Capital

Eleri Harris offers a graphic account of the historic planning and design of Canberra, Australia—designed and planned by Americans, Walter Burley Griffen and Marion Mahony Griffin.

1 minute read

September 28, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The illustrated tale (told in the style of a graphic novel or comic book, with illustrations and short captions), explains how the Griffins designed a utopian vision for the Australian capital of Canberra. The Griffin's were from the Prairie School, having once worked for Frank Lloyd Wright, and designed the winning proposal for Canberra based on models from the Garden City and City Beautiful movements.

Harris's telling of the story gives credit to both Griffins for their work in addition to describing the history of Canberra as one of frustrated, utopian ambitions.

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