Nearby residents have launched a campaign to try to stop the quick demolition of the former CSIRO headquarters in Limestone Avenue next to Campbell High School.
Graham Crompton and Shane West say the buildings are important for their scientific history and their architecture. They say the proposal for as many as 457 apartments and eight storeys is too much for the block, which leads from the edge of Mount Ainslie to Limestone Avenue, and would include an area that is home to endangered plants and animals.
![Graham Crompton and Shane West, at the former CSIRO headquarters at Mount Ainslie. The pair are campaigning for the ...](/web/20170323091927im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/3/m/b/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv1r79.png/1490243324159.jpg)
Doma has applied to the National Capital Authority for demolition approval, with public comment invited until Monday, March 27.
Mr Crompton and Dr West have launched a petition to try to protect the buildings.
![The former CSIRO site in Campbell, subject to vandalism.](/web/20170323091927im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/3/m/8/s/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv1r79.png/1490243324159.jpg)
Mr Crompton said the CSIRO buildings were in "perfectly serviceable condition" and could be "repurposed magnificently", rather than being demolished.
"We as a community in Canberra are just letting buildings get knocked down at an enormous rate," he said, describing the plan as lazy and environmentally irresponsible.
Dr West, a sustainable design expert and former professorial chair of building and construction management at the University of Canberra, said the CSIRO building should be preserved for its heritage significance, its scientific importance, and its "embodied energy".
"What we're not good at is maintaining our heritage, it can be made to operate and function beautifully," he said.
![A sign warning of endangered plants and animals at the former CSIRO site at Mount Ainslie. The sign has now been removed.](/web/20170323091927im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/3/n/q/o/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gv1r79.png/1490243324159.jpg)
"Would it be better to have a glittering glass eight storey building there? They're a dime a dozen."
Dr West said the buildings had been allowed to deteriorate since being vacated by the agency last year to the point where developer Doma was now using the deterioration as a justification for demolition.
![One of the increasingly dilapidated buildings at the former CSIRO site in Campbell.](/web/20170323091927im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/3/m/9/g/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gv1r79.png/1490243324159.jpg)
"It is extremely disappointing to have witnessed the continuous degrading of the buildings over the last six months," he said.
"Even after the stripping out of the buildings had started there has no permanent security on site. Many local residents have complained and access to the site by the nearby Campbell High students is still an ongoing concern."
![The CSIRO headquarters before the building was vacated about 18 months ago.](/web/20170323091927im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/1/x/v/g/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gv1r79.png/1490243324159.jpg)
Dr West said the main building with its copper roof and bold facade was "a fine example of MSJ purpose-built Canberra design", built to last as a landmark building near the war memorial and maintaining the nature strip to Limestone. The land, which was home to endangered species, had been well kept by the CSIRO, but was now being damaged by vehicles.
Doma commissioned a heritage report from GML Heritage, which said the redevelopment "needs to consider the identified heritage significance of the site".
GML said the CSIRO headquarters, built in 1970 on the edge of Mount Ainslie, were planned as a landmark.
They were late 20th century international style, with a high level of integrity. They were typical of the style of architects McConnel, Smith and Johnson, using functional designs, simple geometric shapes, and concrete. They were a relatively intact example of the architects' work, with most of the other Canberra buildings by the same architect now demolished or changed.
GML said the timber panelling inside and the octagonal copper roof of the conference centre were striking aesthetic features. But the condition of the buildings had deteriorated since being vacant, with vandalism and lack of maintenance, broken windows, vermin acess, water damage and the removal of shelving and furniture. Most of the copper roof of the conference centre had been stripped off.
Doma says the buildings are now a safety risk. Doma managing director Jure Domazet said they would be demolished as soon as possible. Most of the copper roof had been stolen from the smaller buildings, along with copper piping. Doma had since removed copper from the inside to deter further theft.
Mr Domazet said while the approved development control plan for the site under the previous owners encouraged the retention of the existing building, it did not mandate it.
The site was not appropriate for commercial use or a hotel, not for scientific research, but was "very appropriate for residential", Mr Domazet said. The main building could not be repurposed for residential because it had "inappropriate core locations, building dimensions and orientation for apartments".
Demolition would make way for buildings that were better oriented and designed, and for a centrally located driveway. The concept plan scaled back plans from 60,000 to 50,000 square metres, and would go out for consultation, he said.