This new lecture series is named in honour of internationally acclaimed architect Romaldo (‘Aldo’) Giurgola.  Mr Giurgola was Senior Partner in Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp Architects in Canberra, the firm responsible for the design of Parliament House and numerous other award-winning buildings in Australia and Asia. 

The first guest lecturer is Michael Manfredi, co-founder of Weiss/Manfredi, and a highly regarded architect with an extensive practice across the United States.  Manfredi worked with Aldo at Mitchell/Giurgola in New York city.

The lecture, themed ‘Lateral Terrains’ will explore architecture in a contemporary context.

'I hope to touch on issues that are relevant to contemporary architectural practices, and that have also been relevant to Aldo's work.

'This includes issues of site specificity and the challenge of responding to local context, the importance of interpreting the character of a place and its culture and the importance of multidisciplinary thinking in architecture,' said Mr Manfredi. 

The lecture is presented by the National Capital Authority and Department of Parliamentary Services.

'We are delighted to present the first, in what we hope is a long series of lectures inspired by Aldo’s work, which has been so important in Canberra’s history,’ said Prof Don Aitkin, National Capital Authority Chairman.

Further information on Michael Manfredi is available on the National Capital Authority website:  www.nationalcapital.gov.au/downloads/corporate/MM_Profile.pdf

Due to security restrictions at Parliament House, people interested in attending the lecture will need to RSVP via the NCA website (www.nationalcapital.gov.au/rsvp) before Monday 6 September.

Mr Giurgola was Senior Partner in Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp Architects in Canberra, the firm responsible for the design of Parliament House and numerous other award-winning buildings in Australia and Asia.  He has achieved the highest honours in the architectural profession for his building designs in the USA and Europe, as well as in the southern hemisphere, including being awarded the Gold Medals of the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects as well as the Order of Australia.   

The tree is being planted as part of the ongoing development of the historic York Park Oak Plantation in Barton, designed by Mr. Giurgola and landscape architect Mervyn Dorrough of the Redbox Design Group, which includes new public access paths, walls and seating.

'We are delighted to honour Romaldo Giurgola’s contribution to this unique heritage place in such a lasting way.  York Park is a ideal location for the ceremony, not only because of Mr Giurgola’s personal involvement in its redevelopment, but also because of its close proximity to Parliament House,' said Gary Rake, Chief Executive of the National Capital Authority.

Mr Giurgola was born and educated in Italy before receiving a Fulbright Fellowship to the USA in 1950.  He established his architectural practices in Philadelphia and New York, teaching at Columbia University, before moving to Canberra in the early 1980s for the Parliament House project.  He became an Australian citizen in 2000.

'As a proud Canberran, I am humbled by this honour.  I was originally asked to be on the judging panel for the design competition for Parliament House whilst living in America. I declined and instead entered the competition, and 30 years later here I am being honoured in such a wonderful way,' said Mr Giurgola.

York Park, located at the corner of State Circle and Kings Avenue, commemorates the visit to Canberra of the Duke of York in 1927, who planted the first oak tree in the plantation. Mr Giurgola has a strong personal interest in York Park and assisted in the development of the Heritage Management Plan.

'Australia and Canberra have been fortunate to have a man of Mr Giurgola’s talents play such a crucial role in the development of York Park and the national capital,' said Mr Rake.

Temporary traffic changes were to be in place to allow for an all-day concrete pour at the Kings Avenue overpass.

An advertisement will appear in the Canberra Times on Saturday advising that the concrete pour has been put off.

The National Capital Authority will continue to monitor the long-range weather forecast, and advise in the coming days on when the concrete pour is now likely to occur.