OCULUS, together with Eifer and Callum Morton of Monash Art Projects, have been selected to design a memorial that jointly commemorates Marion Mahony Griffin and Walter Burley Griffin in Australia’s capital on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country.

The commemoration, on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin, will recognise the contribution the two architects made to the design of Canberra, and their broader contribution to city planning, architecture, and landscape design.

Although only Walter’s name appeared on their winning entry in the international competition to design a federal capital for Australia, Marion contributed significantly. Marion’s drawings of the future capital showed that this would be a new type of Australian town plan, where buildings, roads and gardens could work together to make a picturesque and liveable city. 

In keeping with the National Capital Authority’s objective to address the underrepresentation of women in commemorative works, a concerted effort will be made to ensure both Marion and Walter are recognised equally for the contribution they made to their professional partnership, and both are given equal prominence in the commemoration.

Walter once said, “My wife is the genius, I am only the businessman.”

The project is due for completion in 2026.