Learning from the Opposite? Iberian Journals Glance at Australia

ABSTRACT In 1933, Antonio Salazar established the so-called Estado Novo in Portugal. Six years later, Francisco Franco set up a right-wing totalitarian regime in Spain. The heavy traditionalism of both regimes and their rejection by western democracies after the Second World War kept them not only politically isolated, but also intensely invested in the revival of past national symbols. In architecture, such authoritarianism was evident in the return to traditional styles and vernacular models. However, within a decade interest in international architecture expanded. Initially, Iberia looked at more proximate countries in Europe and the Americas, but soon thereafter began to look towards the Pacific, particularly Japan and Australia. Iberian architects showed less interest in the Antipodes than they did towards other countries that were nearer geographically or culturally, such as Brazil or Mexico. Nevertheless, the number of articles about Australian architecture published in local magazines was not negligible, nor was the influence certain Australian works exercised over the career of some young architects. Following the storyline of articles published in Portuguese and Spanish professional journals, this paper presents Iberia’s evolving interest in Australian architecture, precisely the furthest away for them.