'What's the judgement? Reflections on the vision, artistry and construction of Australia's High Court building'

This is our four-part oral history podcast series [scroll down to listen to them] commissioned by the High Court of Australia to commemorate the building’s 40th anniversary.

This project shows how a building is so much more than the materials it is made of. Many years in the making, its design, construction and fit-out became integral to a building that reflected the significance and role of the High Court at the apex of the judicial branch of government.

This building has won many accolades and awards since its opening by Queen Elizabeth II on 26 May 1980. The creativity, talent, imagination and endeavours of some of Australia’s most esteemed architects, engineers, artists and designers at the time were harnessed in its making, and have been explored in our interviews for the series.

The High Court building was bound to be contentious (the massive expense for one thing) and the aesthetics of the place has been much debated, so we explored all these ideas in our interviews, taking listeners into the minds and workspaces of some of these people.

Interviewees include:

Don Amery, carpenter

Aldis Birzulis, structural engineer

Feiko Bouman, architect

Jon Faine, student protester at the time

Frank Jones, Deputy Registrar during the construction and move to Canberra

Simon Kringas, nephew of the building’s architect, Chris Kringas, and an academic and architect himself

Rosella Namok, artist and winner of the 2003 High Court Centenary Art Prize

Laurens Otto, wood carver

Jan Senbergs, artist

Ben Wickham, Senior Executive Deputy Registrar

Derek Wrigley, designer and artist.

Guest appearances from Dennis Denuto (of ‘The Castle’ fame) and Fred Dagg (aka the late John Clarke)

The project was very much a collaborative effort with Bryce Grunden, Sound Environment; David Huxtable, LookEar; and Leo Martin, Line Of Sight Heritage.

The podcasts were launched at the High Court on 19 May 2021 along with a painting by artist Jude Rae also commissioned for the 40th anniversary.

Part 1: The Vision - about the inspiration and drive behind the decision to provide the High Court with its own magnificent building in the capital.

Interviewees include: Feiko Bouman, Aldis Birzulis, Simon Kringas, Derek Wrigley, and Ben Wickham

Part 2: The Debate - it is not possible to have a building of this stature and significance without debates and challenges associated with it. This podcast explores the concerns and protests associated with the construction and opening of the High Court.

Interviewees include: Jon Faine, Frank Jones, Jan Senbergs, Laurens Otto and Ben Wickham

Part 3: The Artistry - in this podcast we enter the minds and workplaces of some of those responsible for the magnificent artworks commissioned for the High Court.

Interviewees include: Derek Wrigley, Laurens Otto, Rosella Namok, Don Amery and Jan Senbergs.

Fred Dagg also has something to say.

Part 4: The Vibe - after all the planning, construction, artistry, symbolism, debate and challenges has this building stood the test of time for its users and Australia’s public? Has its purpose, role and vision been achieved and how is it appreciated?

Interviewees include: Frank Jones, Ben Wickham, Simon Kringas, Jon Faine, Laurens Otto and Derek Wrigley [with a guest appearance by Dennis Denuto from The Castle].