Bunning and Madden
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture, Urban planning |
| Founded | May 19, 1945 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Walter Bunning |
| Headquarters | Canberra and Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Architectural design, Urban planning |
Bunning and Madden is an Australian firm specializing in architecture and urban planning, operating out of Canberra and Sydney. Established in 1945 by Walter Bunning in Sydney, the company gained prominence particularly from the 1950s through the 1970s, with its most notable work being the design of the National Library of Australia.
Background
Born on 19 May 1912 in South Brisbane, Walter Bunning pursued art studies at East Sydney Technical College, attended night classes at Sydney Technical College, and gained experience working alongside architects Carlyle Greenwell and Stephenson & Meldrum. He was awarded the Kemp medal in 1933, became an associate of the college by 1936, and received a Board of Architects Travelling Scholarship (NSW) to study urban planning overseas between 1936 and 1939. In 1938, Bunning became an associate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, followed by receiving the Australian Medallion in 1939.
Upon returning to Sydney, he was admitted as an associate of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in 1940, served as a Councillor for its New South Wales chapter from 1940 to 1944, and was elevated to Fellow status in 1951. In 1945, under a Commonwealth initiative, he was appointed town planner tasked with converting a munitions factory into manufacturing facilities. Additionally, Bunning authored Homes in the Sun, which established his reputation as a leading architectural communicator in Australia, as noted by Robin Boyd.
Foundation of the firm
The firm was established by Bunning on 19 May 1945 at 15 York Street, Sydney. During its inaugural year, it delivered numerous residential designs and urban planning projects. Charles Madden joined the practice in 1946, creating the partnership known as Bunning and Madden. The duo secured victory in a major Australia and New Zealand competition to design Anzac House, serving as New South Wales’ official memorial for veterans of WWI and WWII. In 1953, Grace Bros. Limited commissioned the firm to design a large suburban store in Parramatta, which became Australia's first retail building featuring a rooftop carpark.
Mid-1950s saw Kevin Smith and Noel Potter join as Associates. Following Madden’s death in 1960, Smith and Potter were promoted to partners while Arthur Robb became an Associate. The National Capital Development Commission engaged the firm in 1961 to design the National Library of Australia, with Potter acting as project architect. A permanent office was established in Canberra by 1964 under Potter’s leadership until his retirement in 1996. The firm completed International House at the University of Sydney in 1967, with Robb joining the partnership two years later.
Bunning and Madden also executed projects for the Institution of Engineers Australia headquarters and Australian National University, maintaining significant commissions from New South Wales’ Department of Public Works and Housing Commission. Bunning received the title Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1975 and was named Life Fellow of the Royal Australian Planning Institute in 1976 before his passing in 1977.
Honouring his legacy, Potter was awarded the Clem Cummings Award by the Australian Institute of Architects in 2006 and appointed Officer of the Order of Australia in 2010 for outstanding contributions to architecture.
Noteworthy Projects
| Project Name | Image | Location | Completion Year | Recognition(s) | Heritage Listing(s) | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anzac House | Martin Place, Sydney CBD | 1956 |
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| Grace Bros, Parramatta | Parramatta, Sydney | |||||
| ANSTO Nuclear Science Buildings (decommissioned 2007) |
Template:NSWcity, Sydney | 1960 | ||||
| Liner House | 13-15 Bridge Street, Sydney CBD | 1960 |
|
NSW State Heritage Register | ||
| International House, The University of Sydney |
Template:NSWcity, Sydney | 1967 | ||||
| Bruce Hall, Australian National University (partially demolished in 2017) |
Template:ACTcity, Canberra | 1961 | Partial nomination for the Commonwealth Heritage List |
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| National Library of Australia | Template:ACTcity, Canberra | 1968 | Commonwealth Heritage List (2004) | |||
| Indian High Commission and Birch House | Template:ACTcity, Canberra | 1969 |
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Additional Literature
The Work of Bunning & Madden, Architects and Town Planners authored by Walter Ralston Bunning and Bunning & Madden (1970), Sydney: Bunning & Madden.