Modernist Adelaide

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Modernist Adelaide

Celebrating Adelaide’s modernist architecture online, in print and award-winning tours and events.

Step back in time to the mid-century jet age of Mad Men era Adelaide, when a new wave of modernist architecture redefined the city’s streetscapes and skyline. Many of Adelaide’s iconic examples of 50s, 60s and 70s architecture still stand, well preserved and well worth discovering on this relaxed and informative one-hour walk through downtown Adelaide. From Australia’s first curtain-wall high-rise

of the 50s to the International Style of the 60s and the Brutalism of the 70s, this walk through time will appeal to anyone with a love of mid-century architecture and design, history or just looking up and seeing the beauty in our everyday built environment.

01/09/2026

Happy 50th birthday to Rundle Mall, which opened on this day 50 years ago as Australia’s first major purpose-built pedestrian street mall.

Designed by the great modernist architect Ian Hannaford, its cobbled bricks, shady trees and comfortable seating were inspired by pedestrian spaces in Canada, Scotland and Europe.

“It was all designed so people would psychologically feel that they were being looked after, it was human-scale and they liked being there – that was the secret.”

Photos: Rundle Mall, University of Melbourne Archives, State Library of South Australia

24/08/2026

Thanks to ABC Adelaide’s Rory McLaren for a great chat this morning about Adelaide’s modernist architecture, including the heroic ABC building at Collinswood, designed by Dr Oscar Gimesy, 1967–74.

Fantastic to see so much media interest in Adelaide’s mid-century architecture lately.

09/08/2026

Three favourites from the excellent NT Modern maps during a quick visit to Darwin today.

St Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral (1958, Ian Ferrier, J.P. Donoghue, Cusick & Edwards) is one of Australia’s great modernist churches with its soaring parabolic arches and locally quarried porcellanite stone.

Up the road, Darwin Memorial Uniting Church (1960, Gordon C. Brown, Brown & Davies, Adelaide) is an archi-nerd favourite. Designed to symbolise the Risen Lord, its sweeping roof lifts into the sky while honouring those who defended Darwin during WWII.

The Reserve Bank of Australia branch (1968, John Scott, Commonwealth Department of Housing & Construction) is a beautiful piece of tropical modernism, with a crisp white quartz aggregate façade and deep louvres.

Highly recommend the beautiful NT Modern guides and information at https://ntmodern.org

01/08/2026

Great to see so many people at Nunyara in Belair this afternoon for Tim Ross’s chat about Australian design and innovation.

It was also a chance to revisit the beautiful chapel, designed by Maurice Doley of Cheesman, Doley, Brabham & Neighbour in 1962–63.

Floating lightly above its Basket Range stone base, the glass pavilion sits beautifully in the landscape with views across the Adelaide Hills and plains. I do miss the original Solomit strawboard ceilings though.

Have a good weekend everyone.

27/07/2026

A beautiful day exploring Adelaide’s modernist architecture with Czech architectural photographer and writer Adam Štěch and his wife Nicole, Deputy Editor of Elle magazine.

Together we visited Wright House, Graham and Barbara Dickson House, Walkley House and Jarosik House.

A huge thank you to the generous homeowners for welcoming us in.

18/07/2026

The recent Brutalist Adelaide tours sold out much faster than expected, so it’s back on Sunday 23 August, exploring our extraordinary buildings that continue to divide opinion more than half a century after they were built.

Whether you’re a true believer or brut-curious, it’ll be another great morning.

Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/brutalist-adelaide-walking-tour-23-aug-11am-tickets-1994397590882?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

28/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined today's two Brutalist Adelaide tours. Perfect weather, almost 100 people and lots of conversation about the buildings most people either love… or really don't. Thanks for coming along!

22/06/2026

A great piece from InDaily today on the heritage listing of Neighbour House in Torrens Park and Strait Gate Lutheran Church at Light Pass.

The article includes comments from me and David O’Loughlin on the growing appreciation of South Australia’s modernist heritage. As I noted, “the recognition of modernist places reflects a broader appreciation of great architecture, regardless of when it was built”.

Neighbour House is particularly close to my heart. In 2019, Modernist Adelaide was fortunate to host a series of tours through the house.

https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/just-in/2026/06/22/modernist-church-and-home-join-states-heritage-register

📷 Neighbour House tour (2019) by Sia Duff.

20/06/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who booked for the upcoming Brutalist Adelaide walking tour. The 11am tour sold out within just a few days, with all 50 places snapped up, so I've added a second tour at 1:30pm on Sunday 28 June, which is also selling fast.

If you missed out on the morning session, I'd love to see you in the afternoon as we explore some of Adelaide’s most sculptural and controversial concrete landmarks.

Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/brutalist-adelaide-walking-tour-28-jun-130pm-tickets-1991682680512?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

15/06/2026

Last night’s 7NEWS Adelaide featured a glorious 1966 Brian Vogt-designed house in Mitcham that I was lucky to visit recently and discuss with Amelia Mulcahy.

Owner Karen Cosier has done an incredible job, working with Northern Edge architect Paul Cooksey to carefully update the house while preserving everything that makes it such a special piece of mid-century design.

It even comes with Vogt’s original plans and specs, along with landscape drawings by Richard Massey.

You can watch it on 7plus for the next few days (14 June 2026 episode of 7News Adelaide). Starts at 24:30.

Watch on 7Plus:
https://7plus.com.au/seven-news-adelaide?episode-id=7NNA26-165&startAt=1473&autoplay=true

View listing:
https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-mitcham-151323044

Address

GPO Box 835
Adelaide, SA
5000

Website

http://www.modernistadelaide.com/

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