Search collection and catalogue

The Architecture Museum collection contains more than 400,000 documents, including over 90,000 architectural drawings as well as letters, photographs, specifications, reports and pamphlets. It also holds books, journals and trade literature, and a small number of artefacts, mainly drafting tools. Quite often it holds the only surviving copies of plans for South Australian buildings and structures, including houses, hotels, theatres, factories and offices. All of these items have been donated by architects and alumni working in private practice in South Australia during the twentieth century, particularly in the period circa 1910 to 1980. The University of South Australia's Collections and Museums Policy and the Architecture Museum's General Policy and Collection Policy documents guide decisions regarding acquisitions.

Collection Overview

Items from the collection may be viewed in the research area of the Architecture Museum by appointment. Items in the Architecture Museum collection cannot be borrowed but may be loaned for the purpose of exhibition to an approved event, institution or agency.

Drawings
Drawings plans, sections, elevations and perspectives by architects, engineers and consultants, including both built and unbuilt works primarily of the 20th century
Specifications
Specifications relating directly to the architectural drawings and providing written documentation stipulating materials, quality of finishes and the manner of construction
Correspondence
Professional and personal correspondence relating to specific buildings, professional affairs and architects' overseas travels
Photographs
Photographic items including slides and photographic prints of architects' built works and overseas travels
Notebooks and diaries
Business and personal notebooks and diaries containing sketches and newspaper clippings as well as notes relating to built projects
Library
Books, monographs, periodicals, trade catalogues and brochures donated from architects' personal collections

Special holdings

Chris A. Smith Scrapbook
The scrapbook of one of Adelaide’s early Art Deco architects which includes photographs, press clippings and ephemera. It was digitized thanks to a generous donation by the Art Deco & Modernism Society Adelaide Chapter.

"When the ziggurats, chevrons, detailed reliefs and frozen fountains of the Centennial Hall at the Wayville Showgrounds were demolished with very little outcry, local Art Deco aficionados knew that they had to get into action. With the motto ‘Preservation through Appreciation’ the Adelaide Chapter of the Art Deco & Modernism Society was formed to promote the extravagance and scarcity of Art Deco & Moderne heritage in South Australia, and encourage the public to preserve our remaining iconic 20th century heritage. The Adelaide Chapter of the ADMS are therefore delighted to support the digitisation and preservation of Christopher A. Smith's personal scrapbook, as an insight into the life and achievements of one of South Australia's best known Art Deco architects."

View Chris A. Smith Scrapbook (PDF 24MB)
RAIA South Australian Significant Twentieth Century Architecture card index

The Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) South Australian Significant Twentieth Century Architecture card index was complied during the early 1980s by Donald Langmead and John Schenck. It includes photographs and critical commentary on significant South Australian architecture constructed during the twentieth century, and is one of the Museum's most frequently accessed items.

Digitisation of the card index was funded by UniSA's School of Art, Architecture and Design (now UniSA Creative) in November 2019.
View RAIA card index (PDF 131MB)
Chamberlain Collection
Predominantly 18th and 19th century British and European architectural prints and engravings
Artefacts
Artefacts of a limited range, including drawing equipment, awards and nameplate
Ephemera
Pamphlets, brochures and posters relating to architecture, interior design and planning

Catalogue of finding aids

A list of available finding aid lists (PDF format) for architects and firms represented in the collection is provided below. Select a link to view the PDF file, or right-click and 'Save as...' to save the file.
Download Adobe Acrobat

Please direct enquiries about accessing items listed in the catalogue to:

Dr Julie Collins
Curator
Email: architecturemuseum@unisa.edu.au
Phone: (08) 8302 9235

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