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Like most of Australian Culture, Architecture in Australia has been greatly influenced by British and American styles of architecture. Early or Aboriginal Australian architecture was extremely narrow in its scope and was undertaken only to meet the housing needs of the natives. With the advent of the Europeans especially the British in 1788, the buildings and constructions started to evince Georgian influences. The Australian Gold rush ushered in a phase of Victorian constructions. Influences of the west, especially American architecture started to show its influence on Australian Architecture only during 19 th century, when many American architects were brought in to design famous cities and monuments of Australia. These enterprising architects vented their free spirit and creative thinking in their work. The 20 th and the early 21 st century have witnessed the rise of a new generation of architects, planners and designers whose radical and non-conformist ideas have created a number of stunning high-rises. Some of the famed masterpieces that reflect the true spirit of Australian architecture are: The Sydney Opera House bears testimony to the architectural innovation and creativity displayed by Jorn Utzon. Beside the Sydney harbor Utzon created this awesome structure of curved roofs and hemispherical contours. The Sydney Maritime Museum is the expression of Philip Cox Richardson's love of the simple pleasures. Innovative use of fabrics, underwater tunnels and miniature ships characterize this museum's construction. The Sydney State Bank Centre is a highly interesting construction and has inspired great acclaim. Bligh Voller Nied of Australia and the Lobb Partnership of London conceived the Sydney Olympic Stadium. The construction has been shrouded in controversies ever since it has been put up in 2000. Architects and designers from this spell binding country have received international acclaim for their genius. Glenn Murcutt and Water Burley Griffin are probably the most famous among them. Glenn Murcutt, recipient of the Pritzker Prize, 2002 took the world by surprise and the lovely country homes he designed attracted a lot of attention. Walter Burley Griffin was an American architect who won the prize project of designing Canberra, the Australian capital city. He also constructed the Newman College and the Capitol Theatre of Melbourne, and designed the townships of Leeton and Griffith towns. Castlecrag and Castle Cove near Sydney are also his creations.
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