Docomomo Australia

Docomomo Australia Docomomo Australia wishes to share, collect and preserve documentation about modern buildings, sites, neighborhoods and landscapes in Australia.

DOCOMOMO Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers involved in architecture, academia and conservation. It was established in 1999 following a public meeting held in Sydney in conjunction with a landmark conference organised by the NSW Historic Houses Trust called Opera House: Fibro House. The conference raised many of the issues facing the buildings of the early modern era and DOCOMOMO Australia continues to pursue these issues raised. Docomomo Australia was officially accepted as a national branch of Docomomo International in 2000 at the Docomomo International Conference in Brasilia. Docomomo Australia upholds the aims and objectives of DOCOMOMO International, as set out in the Eindhoven-Seoul Statement.

Pettit + Sevitt The Modernist ProjectWednesday 4th November 2026, 6.00pmTickets: $10.00 Link in bio.Venue: GML Heritage,...
01/10/2026

Pettit + Sevitt The Modernist Project
Wednesday 4th November 2026, 6.00pm
Tickets: $10.00 Link in bio.
Venue: GML Heritage, Level 17, 323 Castlereagh Street Sydney

Join author Kathryn Franco for a glimpse inside the new book, revealing the stories, architecture and previously unseen archival material behind Pettit & Sevitt. Introductions by Colin Sevitt & architect Tone Wheeler followed by Q&A.

Pettit + Sevitt: The Modernist Project is the story of one of Australia’s most influential project home companies and the remarkable collaboration between builders Brian Pettit and Ron Sevitt and five of Australia’s most notable architects: Ken Woolley, Michael Dysart, Neil Clerehan, Russell Jack and Harry Seidler.

Founded in Sydney in 1961, Pettit & Sevitt brought architect-designed modernism to the middle classes in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond.

They produced houses, townhouses and residential developments that responded to landscape, climate and post-war ideas about Australian domestic life. Most strongly associated with the Sydney School vernacular of architecture, their work offered an alternative to the conventional triple-fronted bungalow and established an important model of collaboration between architects and builders that raises questions about how housing is designed and delivered today.

Learn more about the research behind the book, see previously unpublished archival material, photographs, plans and film footage, and gain an insight into the people, ideas and circumstances that shaped Pettit & Sevitt.

Docomomo Sydney Book Launch - Pettit + Sevitt The Modernist ProjectWednesday 4th November 2026, 6.00pmTickets: $10.00 Li...
01/10/2026

Docomomo Sydney Book Launch - Pettit + Sevitt The Modernist Project
Wednesday 4th November 2026, 6.00pm
Tickets: $10.00 Link in bio.
Venue: GML Heritage, Level 17, 323 Castlereagh Street Sydney

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1659585

Join author Kathryn Franco for a glimpse inside the new book, revealing the stories, architecture and previously unseen archival material behind Pettit & Sevitt. Introductions by Colin Sevitt & architect Tone Wheeler followed by Q&A.

Pettit + Sevitt: The Modernist Project is the story of one of Australia’s most influential project home companies and the remarkable collaboration between builders Brian Pettit and Ron Sevitt and five of Australia’s most notable architects: Ken Woolley, Michael Dysart, Neil Clerehan, Russell Jack and Harry Seidler.

Founded in Sydney in 1961, Pettit & Sevitt brought architect-designed modernism to the middle classes in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond.

They produced houses, townhouses and residential developments that responded to landscape, climate and post-war ideas about Australian domestic life. Most strongly associated with the Sydney School vernacular of architecture, their work offered an alternative to the conventional triple-fronted bungalow and established an important model of collaboration between architects and builders that raises questions about how housing is designed and delivered today.

Author Kathryn Franco will discuss the research behind the book, drawing on previously unpublished archival material, photographs, plans and film footage, and provide insight into the people, ideas and circumstances that shaped Pettit & Sevitt.

Piper Press Australia
Sydney House.
environa studio - architecture
Pettit+Sevitt
GML Heritage

Please support the campaign to save thethe University of Melbourne John Medley Building – a culturally significant build...
16/08/2026

Please support the campaign to save the
the University of Melbourne John Medley Building – a culturally significant building by the architect of the National Gallery of Victoria, Sir Roy Grounds.
The John Medley Building is a major public commission designed in the late 1960s by Sir Roy Grounds – one of Australia’s leading 20th century architects.
It was built during the same period in which Grounds was working on the National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre: two of Victoria’s most beloved and iconic cultural institutions.

The John Medley Building is slated for demolition in 2027 to make way for a new teaching building. The proposal forms part of a 2023 University masterplan that also includes provision for demolishing more than a dozen other buildings. The plan has attracted widespread opposition and is currently the focus of an ongoing staff and NTEU campaign.

What can you do to help?
Sign and share the change.org petition.

Write an email voicing your opposition to to the University’s interim vice chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis (to be succeeded by Professor Carolyn Evans on 5th October 2026): [email protected]

Support the campaign to include the John Medley Building on the Victorian Heritage Register by making a submissions in support of the application on the Heritage Victoria hub at:
https://heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/protecting-our-heritage/heritage-protection-process/hcv-hub
Submissions must be received by 15th September

Please help us to protect Victoria’s cultural heritage.

Docomomo Australia are hosting an evening to discuss and debate the work of renowned Australian architect, Sir Roy Groun...
14/08/2026

Docomomo Australia are hosting an evening to discuss and debate the work of renowned Australian architect, Sir Roy Grounds. For tickets and more details please visit the website.

Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters on our Paul Couch Open Day. The day was a huge success.Amazing work to se...
15/06/2026

Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters on our Paul Couch Open Day. The day was a huge success.
Amazing work to set it up by Andrew Murray
📷 Plot Architecture

All tickets to Saturday’s Sydney house tour have now sold out. All 230 tickets to next Saturday’s Paul Couch Open Day in...
05/06/2026

All tickets to Saturday’s Sydney house tour have now sold out.
All 230 tickets to next Saturday’s Paul Couch Open Day in Melbourne also sold out. Thank you for all the support!

BOOK NOW 🚨- 1 week left to join our guided tour of the Woolley House, Palm Beach. Wilkinson award winning house, never b...
29/05/2026

BOOK NOW 🚨- 1 week left to join our guided tour of the Woolley House, Palm Beach. Wilkinson award winning house, never before opened to the public. Your chance to see the recent restoration that was Highly Commended at the 2026 National Trust Awards.
Book now- link in bio.

Docomomo Tour - Melbourne: Paul Couch Open Day of Five Houses, Sunday June 14 Couch House, Toolern ValeMurdoch ‘Lowland ...
16/05/2026

Docomomo Tour - Melbourne: Paul Couch Open Day of Five Houses, Sunday June 14
Couch House, Toolern Vale
Murdoch ‘Lowland Farm’ House, Mount Macedon
Cremasco House and Mount Towrong Vineyard, Mount Macedon
Pradolin House, Mount Macedon
Laird House, Mount Macedon

Paul Couch is a legendary and enigmatic architect. Paul began his career with Robin Boyd where he developed his proficiency in construction detailing and passion for concrete and timber while working to realise Boyd’s designs.

Working alone and in isolation for the past 50 years, Paul has since honed his own approach to design, planning, detailing and building, evolving a very personal and unique design philosophy, that has resulted in a series of exquisite and sublime houses. He shuns publicity and until recently his work had rarely been published. Yet he is revered by those privileged to be acquainted with his work.

DOCOMOMO Australia is honoured to host the first public viewing of Paul’s work. Five houses that show his mastery of simple structures, a sympathetic understanding of materials and use of monumental forms to craft evocative and sublime spaces and buildings sensitively integrated in their landscapes.

This open day includes five exemplary houses by Paul Couch - three that were featured in Uro Publication’s 2025 book Paul Couch Field Studies, together with two that have never been published.
Book at link in bio.
Discount for Docomomo members and a free ticket if you can volunteer to help on the day!

Congratulations to Merril Jackson for winning the National Trust NSW Advocacy Award for 2026 for her successful campaign...
15/05/2026

Congratulations to Merril Jackson for winning the National Trust NSW Advocacy Award for 2026 for her successful campaign to save Gosford Library 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

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4 Glen Street, Milsons Point
Sydney, NSW
2061

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