Introduction
In February 2018, an architectural historian joined the Design Integrity and
Archives Unit (DIAU). The DIAU works with our DPS colleagues to ensure that the
original design intent of Parliament House is well understood at every stage of
design and construction of new building works or the introduction of
technological changes which may have an impact on Parliament House. Assisting in
that process are the archivists who are locating original source documents which
will be digitised for the Australian Parliament House Archive.
Unit highlights
- A key achievement this year has been the progress made on updating the
Central Reference Document (CRD). All but a few of the 31 existing chapters
have been extensively revised and updated by Ms Pamille Berg and augmented
with additional images which effectively illustrate design principles.
Twenty revised chapters have been made available to staff, with the
remaining chapters expected to be provided early in 2018–19.
The unit, together with other areas within DPS (such as editorial and art
services staff), continue to support Ms Berg as she reworks
the CRD.
- To augment further the CRD, work was undertaken to reconstitute a Central
Register of Fabrics and to commence work on a Central Register of Carpets.
Design Integrity staff have assisted in the identification and
authentication of more than 130 different fabrics originally selected for
use in Parliament House. Staff also commenced work on identifying and
verifying more than 85 different coloured, patterned or textured carpets.
This work will continue in 2018–19, along with work on a
Central Register of Leathers.
- The unit continued to provide secretariat support to various fora, including
quarterly and ad hoc design integrity meetings with Ms Berg and Mr Harold
Guida and the CRD Steering Group meetings. The unit also continued to liaise
between departmental staff and Ms Berg and Mr Guida.