Architect Roger Pegrum dies at 87, leaving legacy in Canberra

Architect Roger Pegrum has died in Canberra at the age of 87. As a former Commonwealth Government Architect, Pegrum played a significant role in shaping the built environment of Australia’s capital.

His diverse body of work included the Governor-General’s chancery at Government House, Yarralumla, additions to Old Parliament House, and various primary schools. In his private practice, he completed over 40 residential commissions, including his own modernist home in Reid, which received the 2006 Canberra Medallion.

Pegrum was recognized for a design philosophy that integrated modernism with Canberra’s natural landscape, often referred to as the ‘Bush Capital’. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr paid tribute to him, stating that Pegrum was “one of the defining architectural voices of modern Canberra” whose vision and commitment helped shape the character of the city.