One of the architects behind Australia’s most iconic public building has reflected on how native timbers helped shape the identity of “the people’s house on a hill.”
Harold (Hal) Guida, former Partner-in-Charge of Design Coordination at Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp Architects, played a pivotal role in delivering Australia’s Parliament House—beating out 329 entries from 29 countries in a global design competition during the late 1970s.
Now a partner at Guida Moseley Brown Architects, Guida spoke exclusively to Timber Design Awards about the building’s timber legacy, ahead of his upcoming presentation to participants in the Gottstein Understanding Wood Science course.
“I think timber has many attributes,” Guida said. “One is that it’s very warm and welcoming for people to engage with. Australia has many, many fine craftsmen who work with various species of wood, making furniture, artifacts and artists making sculptures.”
Originally from Philadelphia, Guida relocated to Canberra in 1981 to oversee the design and construction in the lead-up to Australia’s bicentennial in 1988—a move he describes as life-changing.
More than twenty native timber species were used throughout the building, each selected to reflect the diversity of Australia’s landscape and the symbolic intent of its spaces. A core group of timbers was featured along the building’s central axis—from the grand foyer to the Prime Minister’s Office—while the Senate and House of Representatives chambers incorporated species that echoed their traditional colour schemes of red and green.
“Yes, I think that was important for everyone involved in the project—from the Joint Standing Committee to the architects and the artists,” Guida said. “And I think it was just time that the traditional old English colours (deep burgundy and deep green) were transitioned to something that was native to this land. Our office was filled with leaves and rocks and sand and Earth samples and so forth, as we started to come to terms with finding a whole new approach to colour.”
The design team worked closely with timber suppliers and joiners across Queensland and New South Wales, visiting sawmills to establish quality standards and ensure consistency. Collaboration with local artisans was key to realising the building’s vision.
Among the standout species was Silky Oak, chosen for its distinctive grain and character.
“Silky Oak is the first one that comes to mind,” Guida said. “But like every continent, there is a range of timbers available. It’s about using them in a way that supports the basic ideas of both linkage and symbolic content… without just repeating.”
From the moment visitors step into the main foyer, they’re surrounded by textures and tones that speak to Australia’s natural heritage. The result is a building that feels deeply connected to the land—not just in its form, but in its materials and spirit.
Guida’s upcoming presentation will offer a rare opportunity to hear firsthand how timber helped shape a building that, in 2013, was honoured with the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Enduring Architecture Award.
“We feel honoured that Hal can provide us with this exceptional opportunity,” said Helen Murray, Gottstein course convenor.
The Gottstein delegation will also be treated to a guided tour of Parliament House led by Guida himself.
To learn more about the Gottstein Understanding Wood Science course, visit the Gottstein website. For more on the construction of Australia’s Parliament House, visit the Parliament of Australia website.
