Amid the cool, exposed-brick, industrial-feel, Brooklyn-vibe of the Kingsborough residential development in Kingston is a striking nod to the history of Canberra.
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Artist Christopher Paul Toth has just finished his depiction of Canberra designers Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Writ large.
The wall art is painted on the final building of the Kingsborough project, which is expected to be finished in April, five years after developer John Gasson bought the land, opposite The Causeway.
"We have several art installations at Kingsborough and have a few more being completed in the next month," Mr Gasson said.
The last building in the development is called the Woolstore, on the corner of Cunningham Street and The Causeway.
"The Causeway is a designated avenue and part of the original Griffin plan so the artwork being located on the corner of this building just makes so much sense," Mr Gasson said. "The architects for this building were pushing for a more contemporary portrait of iconic Australians but we couldn't come up with the right answer until I was chatting with resident and the idea was suggested."
Christopher Paul Toth, 31,was a perfect choice for the artwork. The former Daramalan College student studied architecture at the University of Canberra. He had studied the work of the Griffins, especially in America when Walter worked for Frank Lloyd Wright. The artwork was meaningful, then, for him.
"It was very satisfying to have done it. It's been a beautiful experience," Mr Toth said.
The enormous artwork is "roughly 10 metres by 11.5m", so more than 100 square metres. It also includes a map with the location of Kingsborough pinpointed in gold leaf.
Mr Toth said he had been working on scaffolding "a metre from the work". So when it was unveiled, the final result would be as much a surprise for him as anyone else.
Walter Burley Griffin Society Canberra chapter chair Peter Graves was thrilled to see the artwork and that it was further recognition of Walter and Marion's contribution to the national capital.
The society was glad the developer went with the power couple of planning and architecture.
"They stand together as they did in life, a partnership that helped create Canberra's design," he said.
"The mural brings them almost to life, reminding us also of the 150th anniversary of Marion's birth on 14 February 2021."
Mr Graves said next year would be a big one for the society as it celebrated the 150th anniversary of Marion's birth, not only in Canberra.
"There will be an exhibition at the Museum of Sydney - I suspect because of their long involvement in developing the suburb of Castlecrag."
The Kingsborough development comprises 270 different homes, including townhouses. Mr Gasson said he and the designers had tried very hard to create a village atmosphere. "We used five different architects because we didn't want just another concrete and glass development," he said.