Building Australia

- Season 1

(2013)

From The Rocks area in Sydney to Melbourne's neatly organised squares, we trace the earliest development of the terrace from the First Fleet settlers who initiated the tradition of European-style building.

From a suburban Brisbane residence to a Bundaberg sugar plantation, we explore the gradual adaptation to life in the tropics and the evolution of the iconic 'Queenslander'.

We look at one of the most romantic forms of Australian houses - the homestead. The initial impulse was to build "country homes" that replicated the fashions of England.

From the weekender's make-do origins, we see what many Aussies did with their leisure time - built and retreated to weekenders. From the tradition of bush carpentry to fibro beach homes.

The story of optimism and confidence that powered the movement to make Australia an independent nation. This national idealism was reflected in the assured, even showy architecture of the Federation house.

We're shown how factory built project homes helped meet our intense demand for housing and to a degree reflected both the taste for 'modernity' and the preferences of the 'New Australians'.