Guida Moseley Brown Architects

Guida Moseley Brown Architects dates its origins back to the year 1999 when the core group of professionals who had worked together on Australia’s new Parliament House at Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp Architects decided to restructure the firm to Guida Moseley Brown Architects.[3] Harold Guida, the partner-in-charge of design co-ordination for the new Parliament House is a co-founder and senior partner of the firm. He received his Master of Architecture (Urban Design) from the University of California, Los Angeles, and had previously obtained a Bachelor of Architecture from Arizona State University.[4]

The modern Spence Wing entrance of the State Library of South Australia connects the Institute Building (1861, left) and the Mortlock Wing (1884, right)

Guida Moseley Brown Architects is widely known for projects that respond to heritage and culture, whilst focusing on sustainability and functionality. The redevelopment of the State Library of South Australia in Adelaide by the firm for example, helped bring in light and a sense of space to a library that was previously considered as a ‘closed-in building’.[5] The redevelopment helped open up the views to the previously visually inaccessible heritage buildings in the vicinity [refer to image]. The style was highly commended and celebrated by its stakeholders as the end result was a merge of indoor and outside environments alongside the preservation of the cultural heritage the library held.[6] Similarly, the restoration of the Embassy of Sweden in Canberra, Australia is known for its noteworthy Nordic-style and ventilated substructure. The firm had replaced its worn-out floors with rare timbers that were hard waxed to provide a traditional Swedish ambience.[7]

In regards to functionality, the firm was responsible for the urban design and master planning of the new Passenger Terminal at Canberra Airport. The terminal was designed to a high environmental standard as the firm had aimed for the airport to be the greenest in the country.[8] The project intended to delight and decrease stress amongst fellow passengers by articulating space and introducing purpose-designed furniture. The airport also integrated a new lighting scheme to aid its passengers.[9] The entire project was designed, documented and constructed in less than ten months.[10] Similarly, Guida Moseley Brown is currently also part of the Leh Airport project, in Jammu Kashmir, India. The existing airport is the 23^rd highest commercial airport in the world (situated at 10,682 feet above sea-level). Named after an Indian statesmen and monk, and situated in between the Himalayas, the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is known for its challenging environment and scenic approach.[11] Apart from ensuring that the new airport integrates the local cultural and spirituality in the airport’s architecture, Guida Moseley Brown also focused on the functionality of the airport as the surrounding area faces long winters and temperatures often being below zero.[12] The construction of the terminal began in February, 2019 and is expected to finish by September, 2021. As of January 2020, 20% of the work is considered to be completed.[13]

As of recent, the firm has focused on futuristic themes and designs. The proposed Canberra Convention Centre – Australia Forum has been dubbed as ‘futuristic’ and ‘UFO like’ in design. The design of the convention centre has brought in Guida Moseley Brown’s traditional concept of bringing natural light to the neo-futuristic undulated structure. The centre has an unlikely aerodynamic form to stand out as a hyper-modern element in the architectural landscape of Canberra.[14]

On 18 November 2018, Harold Guida spoke about the increase in the global interest of the "Univer-Cities" concept in a conference held at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The firm at the time was involved in the Campus Master Plan for the NTU. The master plan helped address issues such as the rise in student housing, environmental issues and sub-standard academic infrastructure. The firm ensured that the campus’ immediate environment such as the established Chinese Garden values were incorporated throughout the entire campus via small group learning hubs and opening of the existing land-locked boundaries.[15]

As of 2020, the firm employs around twenty-thirty people, with four partners and four associates at the helm. Current partners and associates are: Harold Guida LFRAIA AIA, Paul Mutton RAIA, Sieglinde Whittle, John Guida RAIA, Jack Shimada RAIA, Andrew Donnelly, Brenton Bedell, William Gardner RAIA.[4]

Due to the 2014 shootings at Parliament Hill, Ottawa, the Australian Senate investigated their own security over at the Federal Parliament. After the investigation, the senate approved of a 2.6 metre steel fence to be developed and designed by Guida Moseley Brown Architects. While the entire security upgrade cost the taxpayers A$60 million dollars, the Australian Institute of Architects lobbied against the plan and suggested that it was "undemocratic and ill-considered". Canberra architect, Rodney Moss said that adding these fences will compromise the intent of the design which is the opposite to the way that the building was envisaged.[24]

In between the 2019-20 Australian bushfire season, Australian taxpayers had to pay out more than A$380,000 to replace a coffee cart with a new permanent café at the new Parliament House. Out of the total bill of A$343,945.60, Guida Moseley Brown Architects pocketed A$38,900 dollars. The community had criticized how hardworking Australians were footing the bill of this excessive new coffee kiosk. There were even allegations of nepotism where the contract was favoured to the firm without involving any bureaucratic process.[25]

Since its inception, Guida Moseley Brown Architects have been recognized with over 250 awards for its contribution to the field of architecture and design, both locally and internationally. In 2009, Mr Guida was bestowed the status of Life Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, and was also awarded the President’s Medal in 2018. The firm has also been commended multiple times for its involvement and support to the environment and sustainability.[26]