Stracchi’s project, entitled ‘Building Knowledge: The role of modern architecture in the development of the construction industry in New South Wales (1950 – 1980)’, will uncover how architects’ design approaches were affected by a maturing construction industry – an industry that contributed heavily to the country’s economy, political life, heritage and culture.
In a year’s time, Stracchi will present the findings of his research at a conference reserved for the other winners of the State Library of New South Wales’ fellowships.
Stracchi is passionate about the history of construction.
One of his first projects in Australia focused on Pier Luigi Nervi, an Italian structural engineer and architect whose influence can be seen on buildings throughout Sydney.
Nervi created some of the most popular skyscrapers in the CBD, such as Australia Square.
Stracchi’s project was exhibited in 2019, in Sydney, and in 2020, in Canberra, much to the delight of architecture experts and the general public alike.
The State Library of New South Wales’ Fellowship will allow Stracchi to spend a year working on his new project, enabling him to analyse a period of Sydney’s history that is intertwined with the Italian community in New South Wales.
From engineers to architects, skilled workers and designers, Italians were part of New South Wales’ construction boom after the war, contributing to both the economy and the social fabric of Sydney.
This knowledge will be presented formally in Stracchi’s new project, which contains unpublished material that could lead to further interesting discoveries.
One such discovery was uncovered by Stracchi while he was studying Nervi’s projects in New South Wales.
“All of Nervi’s structures were worked on by companies that had been founded by Italians who migrated to Australia between 1940 and 1950,” Stracchi explained.
Stracchi himself migrated from Italy; he completed his studies in his native Rome, and is a qualified architectural engineer as well as a lecturer in architectural technology at the school of architecture, design and planning of the University of Sydney.
He also directs the Master of Architecture program at the university, and is looking forward to digging through the dozens of unopened boxes kept in the State Library of New South Wales, which he anticipates contain the “secrets” of the construction sector.
Stracchi, who is now 40 years old, migrated to Australia in 2012 and worked as an architect for several years.
His wife, who is also an engineer, migrated with him on a working holiday visa.
He then embarked on his university career, driven by his passion for research, and has been working at the University of Sydney since 2018.
“I’m honoured and proud to have won this prestigious award and to have this opportunity to dedicate myself to this important research,” Stracchi said.
“We’re delighted with the choice we made.
“We love Australia, especially Sydney, which is a city that makes us very happy.”
Stracchi’s research will be published in the National Library’s newspaper and his findings will be presented to the public.
“I’ll be exploring the history of the state’s modern construction industry by analysing the architectural records in the State Library,” he said.
“The project involves the examination of technical and construction drawings used by leading Australian architects in their projects.
“The work of these architects between 1950 and 1980 is central to the history of modern Australian architecture and will enrich our understanding of today’s construction sector in both New South Wales and the whole of Australia.”
