The Shrine of Remembrance is one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks. But it might have looked very different if judges in an architectural competition had gone with another design.
For the first time since the original 1920s architectural competition, the shortlist of alternative designs for Victoria’s beloved war memorial are on public display in the lead up to the Shrine’s 90th anniversary.
Designing Remembrance: Alternate visions for Victoria’s war memorial is a wonderful opportunity to explore Victoria’s history of remembrance and discover the untold stories behind the Shrine’s creation.
Designing Remembrance tells the story of the architectural competition that shaped Victoria’s national war memorial. Showcasing ambitious proposals, the exhibition allows visitors to journey back in time and see how Melbourne’s iconic memorial might have looked—and how it could have taken a very different shape from the monument we know and love today.
Each of the shortlisted entries from the 1921 War Memorial design competition is a testament to the social and political tapestry of the time. From grand cenotaphs to humble sanctuaries, visitors will discover the different visions that once competed for a place in Victoria’s heart.
The exhibition invites reflection on questions that challenged past Victorians: Should a memorial honour the past or herald the future? Should it be grandiose or modest, solemn or hopeful, glorious or a warning?
Offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into history, visitors can examine detailed plans, conceptual drawings and correspondence, and eavesdrop on conversations and debate between designers, builders and judges, gaining insight into the creative process behind the Shrine’s inception.
The competition was fiercely contested with more than 80 submissions made. Although veterans and architects Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop’s winning design became the monument we know and love, the second-place runner up, William Lucas, was publicly disappointed.
Designing Remembrance is on display at the Shrine until August 2025. The Shrine’s 90th anniversary will be commemorated on Remembrance Day, 11 November 2024.
