Parliament House and Government Offices
Parliament House, Adelaide, South Australia
Photographed 1990 Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 1883-89, E.J. Wood, whose plans were based on an earlier design by E.W. Wright and Lloyd Taylor. The building was constructed in brick faced with Kapunda marble on a granite basement. Only the west wing was built by 1889, and it could accommodate only the House of Assembly. It was not until 1939 that the east wing was constructed enabling both houses of parliament to meet in the same building. The dome, which was proposed in the original plans was never built. The classical design of the two-storied building features graceful columns crowned by a decorative entablature and parapet. Reference: Marsden, S., Stark, P., Sumerling, P. (eds), Heritage of the City of Adelaide, An Illustrated Guide, Corporation of the City of Adelaide, Town Hall, Adelaide, 1990. The Heritage of South Australia and the Northern Territory. The Illustrated Guide of the National Estate, Macmillan Company of Australia, 1985, p. 15. Branson Vern (text), Goulding, Trevor (drawings), Landmarks of Adelaide, A Sketchbook J.M. Dent Pty Limited, Melbourne, 1988, p. 12.
Original Parliament House, Adelaide, South Australia
Photographed 1990 Original Parliament House, North Terrace. Adelaide, South Australia, 1854-55, W. Bennett Hayes; extensions, 1856-1876. The building known as the House of Assembly was erected by English and Brown at a cost of 17,000 pounds. The first stage constructed in rubble stone adjoined an older council chamber. Following the introduction of responsible government in 1856, further accommodation was required for a second chamber, which was built in ten weeks on the site of the old council chamber. A refreshment room was constructed in limestone in 1861, a library was built with Dry Creek stone in 1864, and the south-west wing was extended with Mitcham sandstone 1876. However, the overall design is harmonious: it features brick window surrounds and quoins, an arcade at ground level, tall arched windows on the first floor, and notched gables. In 1889 the new Parliament House was opened, but the Legislative Council continued to use the old building until 1939. Reference: Marsden, S., Stark, P., Sumerling, P. (eds), Heritage of the City of Adelaide, An Illustrated Guide, Corporation of the City of Adelaide, Town Hall, Adelaide, 1990. The Heritage of South Australia and the Northern Territory. The Illustrated Guide of the National Estate, Macmillan Company of Australia, 1985, p. 15. Branson Vern (text), Goulding, Trevor (drawings), Landmarks of Adelaide, A Sketchbook, J.M. Dent Pty Limited, Melbourne, 1988, p. 46.
Government Offices, Adelaide, South Australia
Photographed 1990 Government Offices, Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia. This two-storey gabled roof building features a modest central entrance bay with paired columns and entablature. The uniformly sized windows aligned on each level are delineated in cement render. With the eaves and string course, which provide strong horizontal lines to the building’s design, they provide a strong contrast to the brickwork.
Torrens Building, Adelaide, South Australia
Photographed 1990 Torrens Building, 202-220 Victoria Square, Adelaide, 1879-1881, Michael Egan. Michael Egan, a Victorian Architect, won the design competition for the building, and Edward John Woods, the South Australian architect-in-chief supervised its construction. It was built for the Public Works and Registrar General’s departments. Built around a quadrangle, it occupied a town acre. The cellars and foundations were built in Glen Osmond stone, and the superstructure in brick. The side walls were rendered, but the frontages to Victoria Square and Wakefield Street were faced with ashlar sandstone. The design features uniformly aligned windows – those on the round floor are arched, those on the floor above have pediments or bracketed lintels, and those on the third floor have balustraded sills. Other decorative features include the ornate cornices to the string courses and parapets, paired pilasters, and segmented pediment. Reference: Marsden, S., Stark, P., Sumerling, P. (eds), Heritage of the City of Adelaide, An Illustrated Guide, Corporation of the City of Adelaide, Town Hall, Adelaide, 1990. Heritage Register of South Australia, 10895.
Treasury Building, Adelaide, South Australia
Photographed 1990 Treasury Building, 142-160 King William Street, and Flinders Street, Adelaide, 1858 – 76, E.A. Hamilton; 1907, Charles Edward Owen Smythe. The Treasury is a group of buildings constructed in several stages. By 1907 they created an harmonious complex around an internal courtyard. Hamilton’s design concept influenced all sections to some degree. The first blocks to be built were government offices on the north-west corner, and registry on the south-west corner facing King William Street. After Hamilton’s retirement in 1860, his plans were used for a connecting two-storied building, which was later extended by a third story. The eastern sections were commenced in 1866 to Hamilton’s design. A three-storied building was constructed on the south frontage to Victoria Square in 1874. It housed the governor and chief secretary’s department, and was occupied by government ministers until 1968. The final section designed and supervised by Owen Smythe was built in 1907; the three stories housed the Auditor, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Surveyor General, Attorney General, photographer, and caretaker; the basement accommodated printing rooms. The central three-storey section has a protruding bay with an arched entrance, and parapet with the coat of arms. The side two-storey sections with hipped roofs are mirror images of each other. The design achieves an Italianate style with decorative cornices above each floor, windows featuring pediments or bracketed lintels, and rusticated quoins Reference: Marsden, S., Stark, P., Sumerling, P. (eds), Heritage of the City of Adelaide, An Illustrated Guide, Corporation of the City of Adelaide, Town Hall, Adelaide, 1990. Heritage Register of South Australia, 10857.
Parliament House, Sydney, New South Wales
Photographed 1990 Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 1816, 1843, 1855. This building had its origins in Sydney’s hospital completed in 1816. The north wing of the hospital was designed as the Principal Surgeon’s residence, but from 1829 it housed the Legislative Council. Following the introduction of the Legislative Assembly, Mortimer Lewis designed a new chamber at the northern end of the wing in 1843. A south extension was built in 1855 for the Legislative Council. The façade of this section was constructed of prefabricated caste-iron made in England. It was designed for a church in Bendigo, Victoria, but was purchased for 1,760 pounds and transported from Melbourne. Reference: Historic Public Buildings of Australia, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, 1971, pp. 2-8. O’Malley, Dinah, Historic Buildings of Australia, The Macmillan Company of Australia, 1981, pp. 15,16. NSW Heritage Branch, Department of Planning website, http.www.heritage.nsw.gov.au Leary, Frank and Judith, Colonial Heritage, Historic Buildings of New South Wales, Angus and Robertson, 1972, p.34.
Colonial Secretariat, Sydney, New South Wales
Photographed 1990 (Macquarie Street frontage) Colonial Secretariat, Macquarie, Bridge, and Phillip Streets, Sydney, New South Wales, 1878, James Barnet. This monumental building has served as the hub of government, housing Colonial Secretaries and the Executive Council. Its sandstone exterior is decorated with statues of Wisdom, Justice and Mercy. Balanced symmetry is achieved by pilasters arched windows and arcades. The frontage to Bridge Street is dominated by the domical vault. The roofline, windows, and arcades feature balustrades. The building was extended in Phillip Street in 1887 and W.L. Vernon added an attic to the entire building. Reference: Smith, Keith and Irene Smith’s Guide: Sydney City, Smith’s Guides, p. 117. The Heritage of Australia, Illustrated Register of the National Estate, The Macmillan Company of Australia in association with the Heritage Commission, supported by H. C. Sleigh Limited, CRA Limited, 1981, p. 2/104. NSW Heritage Branch, Department of Planning website, http.www.heritage.nsw.gov.au Leary, Frank and Judith, Colonial Heritage, Historic Buildings of New South Wales,Angus and Robertson, 1972, p. 30. Bridges, Peter; McDonald, Don, James Barnet, Colonial Architect, Public Works Department NSW History Project, Hale and Ironmonger, 1988, p.102.
Treasury, Sydney, New South Wales
Photographed 1990 Treasury, Macquarie and Bridge Streets, Sydney, New South Wales, 1849, Mortimer Lewis. This two storied building with slate roof portrays dignified simplicity. The walls of the ground floor and basement are dressed with ashlar contrasting with the darker rough hewn quoins and window surrounds. The sandstone walls of the upper storey feature simple sandstone quoins and window architraves, and a decorative cornice. A protruding string course separates the two floors. The impressive portico makes a fitting entrance to the building. Reference: Smith, Keith and Irene Smith’s Guide: Sydney City, Smith’s Guides, 1988, p. 116. The Heritage of Australia, Illustrated Register of the National Estate, The Macmillan Company of Australia in association with the Heritage Commission, supported by H. C. Sleigh Limited, CRA Limited, 1981, p. 2/105. NSW Heritage Branch, Department of Planning website, http.www.heritage.nsw.gov.au
Premier's Office, Sydney, New South Wales
Photographed 1990 Premier’s Office, Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 1896, Walter Liberty Vernon. This building adjoins the Treasury and was designed in sympathy with it. The central protruding bay features a classical portico with granite columns and pediment above the massive arched entrance. The building features bold quoins and window surrounds on the ground and first floors. The line of the strongly protruding decorative string course above the first floor is repeated in the parapet of the roof line. Reference: Smith, Keith and Irene Smith’s Guide: Sydney City, Smith’s Guides, 1988, p. 116. The Heritage of Australia, Illustrated Register of the National Estate, The Macmillan Company of Australia in association with the Heritage Commission, supported by H. C. Sleigh Limited, CRA Limited, 1981, p. 2/105. NSW Heritage Branch, Department of Planning website, http.www.heritage.nsw.gov.au Apperly, Richard; Irving, Robert; Reynolds, Peter; A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architecture, Angus and Robertson, 1989, pp. 102.
Parliament House, Brisbane, Queensland
Photographed 1989 Parliament House, corner of George and Alice Streets, Brisbane, Queensland, 1865-7, Charles Tiffin. Parliament House is a substantial block of stone buildings, rising to three storeys, and capped with little turrets of galvanised iron. Besides the two Legislative Chambers, with their galleries for reporters and the public, there is a magnificent Parliamentary Library, and also a dining-hall. This description was given in Cassell’s Picturesque Australasia, 1889. The building was commenced in 1865 following an Australia wide competition which was won by the Queensland Government Architect, Charles Tiffin, from 11 entries. The stone used for the building was quarried at Goodna and brought to Brisbane by barge. The building is dominated by the central domical vault and the mansard roofs over the end bays. A large colonnade portico provides the entrance in the centre of the building. This has a balustraded parapet which continues around the building. There are arched colonnades on both floors on either side of the central bay. These were added in 1880 to the design of F.D.G. Stanley. The Alice Street wing was added in1889. The legislative chambers were located on either side of the main entrance, but in 1922, the Legislative Council was abolished, and the chamber is now used for official functions. Reference: Australia’s First Century, facsimile of Cassell’s Picturesque Australasia, 1889, Child and Henry, 1980, p. 100 Cameron Ian, 125 Years of State Public Works in Queensland,1859-1984, Boolarong Publications, 1989, pp.. 71-74. Historic Public Buildings of Australia, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell, Australia, Limited, 1971, pp. 216-226 Hogan, Janet, text; Winkle, Evean, illustrations; Queensland heritage Sketchbook, Weldon Publishing, 1998, pp. 16, 17. O’Malley, Dinah, Historic Buildings of Australia, The Macmillan Company of Australia, 1981, pp. 61-2.
Treasury Building, Brisbane, Queensland
Photographed 1989 Treasury Building, William Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 1883-1889, John James Clark, (completed in sections, 1889-1925). When completed after a period of forty five years, the Treasury Building occupied the 0.6 ha. of an entire city block, bounded by William, Queen, George, and Elizabeth Streets. This site had been selected in 1842 when the land was surveyed for free settlement. It was not until the early 1880s, however, that an international exhibition was held to find a suitable design. The winning plan was rejected in favour of that of John James Clark, the Government Architect. He had designed Melbourne’s Treasury Building when employed by the Public Works department in Victoria. Clark’s design was an imposing Italianate sandstone building with five towers and shady arcaded loggias on three sides. He supervised the building of the William Street section which was intended as the main entrance. Although he resigned as Government Architect in 1885, he continued his responsibilities as supervisor. In 1889 construction began on the frontages to George and Elizabeth Streets, and although a different stone, which did not weather to grey, was chosen, the construction followed Clark’s design. It was not until the Bank of Queensland vacated the Queen Street corner site that the work could be commenced on the final section in 1922. Queen Street was a more appropriate location for the entrance, and so Clark’s original design for this frontage was altered by copying and compressing the entrance features of the William Street facade. Following long service as government offices, the building is now occupied by Jupiter’s Casino. Reference: Cameron Ian, 125 Years of State Publlc Works in Queensland,1859-1984, Boolarong Publications, 1989, pp. 76,77. Historic Public Buildings of Australia, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell, Australia, Limited, 1971, pp. 266-272. Hogan, Janet, text; Stringer, Richard, photographs; Building Queensland’s Heritage, reprinted Boolarong Publications, 1987, p. 25. Newell, Peter, text; White, U., Jopson, J., Roberts, A., drawings; Queensland Sketchbook, ,Rigby, 1976, pp. 62, 63. O’Malley, Dinah, Historic Buildings of Australia, The Macmillan Company of Australia, 1981, pp. 64-65.
Parliament House, Perth, Western Australia
Photographed 1993 Parliament House, Harvest Terrace, 2 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia, 1902-4, Hillson Beasley. (Photograph shows the frontage to Harvest Terrace) The contract was awarded to Mr. M. Barry for 16,254 pounds. Rottnest and Donnybrook stone was used to face the brick walls. From Murray Street the building is entered through a colonnade. The wings have a third elevation and symmetrically placed windows. Strong horizontal lines are achieved by the string courses and eaves. In the course of construction an additional storey was added to the central part of the building facing Harvest Terrace. Reference: Australian Heritage Places Inventory, web page, www.heritage.gov.au Le Page, J.S.H., Building a State, The Story of the Public Works Department of Western Australia, 1829-1985. Water Authority of Western Australia, 1986, p. 245.
Public Offices, Perth, Western Australia
Photographed 1994 Public Offices, Barrack Street, Perth, Western Australia, 1874, Richard Roach Jewell. Extension to St. George’s Terrace, 1877. The first section to be constructed was a two storied building with arched entrance, built at a cost of 2,502 pounds by William Sloane. The extension to the right of the archway was built at a cost of 2,990 pounds to provide an additional thirteen rooms. Initially the building housed the law courts and Land Registry Office, but, when they moved to other premises, Treasury and other government departments occupied it. When the third storey was added in 1904-5, the facade was redecorated to harmonise with the post office which had been built on St. Georges Terrace. The design features mansard roofs with Dutch gables. There is a strong contrast between the bricks and cement render on the quoins, window reveals and pilasters. The strong vertical lines of the pilasters are balanced by the protruding string course with its plain cornice. Reference: Le Page, J.S.H., Building a State, The Story of the Public Works Department of Western Australia, 1829-1985. Water Authority of Western Australia, 1986, p. 141. Historic Public Buildings of Australia, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, 1971, p. 245. Oldham, Ray and John, Western Heritage, University of Western Australia Press, 1978, p. 71.
Eastern Wing of Public Offices, Perth, Western Australia
Photographed 1994 Eastern Wing of Public Offices, St. George’s Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 1882-4, Richard Roach Jewell. This was constructed by James Brittain on the corner of St. George’s Terrace and Cathedral Avenue at a cost of 3863 pounds. It was extended to three stories and the severity of the facade redecorated in sympathy with the post office in 1902-3. Reference: Le Page, J.S.H., Building a State, The Story of the Public Works Department of Western Australia, 1829-1985. Water Authority of Western Australia, 1986, p. 142. Historic Public Buildings of Australia, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, 1971, pp. 244, 245. Apperly, Richard; Irving, Robert; Reynolds, Peter; A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architecture, Angus and Robertson, 1989, pp. 68, 69.
Government Offices, Perth, Western Australia
Photographed 1987 Government Offices, 57 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia, 1912. This building was constructed in brick and Donnybrook sandstone for the Chief Secretary’s and Public Health Departments. Reference: Heritage of Western Australia, The Illustrated Register of the National Estate, The Macmillan Company of Australia, 1989, p. 37. Morrison, Robin, (photographs), Readers Digest Book of Historic Australian Towns, Readers Digest Services Pty. Ltd. 26-30 Waterloo Street, Surrey Hills, NSW 2010, p. 238.
Public Offices, Coolgardie, Western Australia
Photographed 1993 Public Offices, Bayley Street, Coolgardie, Western Australia, 1894-97, G.T. Poole. This design was also used at Marble Bar and Cue. It accommodated the Warden’s Court, Police Station and police quarters, Post Office, Mining Registry and Surveys Department. An additional floor was added to the post office section on the corner of Hunt Street as increased services were needed in 1897-98. Reference: Information from the WA Building Management Authority Le Page, J.S.H., Building a State, The Story of the Public Works Department of Western Australia, 1829-1985. Water Authority of Western Australia, 1986, p. 230 Van Breman, Ingrid, The New Architecture of the Gold Rushes in Western Australia. Government Buildings under the Direction of George Temple Poole, 1885-97, Ph. D. thesis University of Western Australia, February 1990, pp.213, 214.
Courts and Government Offices, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Photographed 1993 Courts and Government Offices, Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, 1897, H.G. Draper. This building accommodated the Warden’s Court, Court of Justice, and Mines Department. It was constructed of local pink stone. The striking clock tower with its imposing arched entrance rises to a belvedere and domical vault. The ground floor has a spacious arcade, and the arched design is repeated in the windows of the first floor. The hipped roofs have ornamental vents and corbelled chimneys. Reference: Heritage of Western Australia, The Illustrated Register of the National Estate, The Macmillan Company of Australia, 1989, p. 90.
Government Buildings, Albany, Western Australia
Photographed 1993 Government Buildings, Stirling Terrace, Albany, Western Australia, 1867-70, eastern section, James Manning; 1896, western section, George Temple Poole. Albany in the south west corner of Western Australia was initially the main deep water port for the Swan River colony. In time Fremantle developed to service Perth, but Albany remained as an important strategic port for overseas mail and refuelling station for international ships. Today the impressive public buildings are an anachronism in the quiet seaside town, but they remind us of the importance of government services in many isolated parts of the country. The eastern building of locally kilned bricks and freestone quoins was designed by James Manning and built at a cost of 4759 pounds. The site was cut into the side of the hill to provide access on two levels. Local clay, limestone, granite, stone and timber were used in the construction. The Customs Bonded Stores on the first level were entered from Lower Stirling Terrace. On the next floor were the customs offices, post office and subsequently the telegraph office. The top floor, which accommodated the courthouse and facilities for the magistrates, was entered from Upper Stirling Terrace. The court room was used for church services as well as meetings and entertainment. The new post office was added on the western end in 1895-6. Designed by George Temple Poole, it was built of brick and stone with a shingled roof for a cost of 3,696 pounds. Its circular clock tower is 80 feet tall. A bonded store was located on the ground floor, the mail room and offices on the first floor, and post master’s room and apartments and public office on the second floor. Reference: Day, David, Smugglers and Sailors, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1992, p..348-350. Information from the Building Management Authority. Le Page, J.S.H., Building a State, The Story of the Public Works Department of Western Australia, 1829-1985. Water Authority of Western Australia, 1986, pp. 111-112. Van Breman, Ingrid, The New Architecture of the Gold Rushes in Western Australia. Government Buildings under the Direction of George Temple Poole, 1885-97, Ph. D. thesis University of Western Australia, February 1990, appendix C8. Colonial Buildings in Albany’ pamphlet, Albany Tourist Bureau.
Parliament House, Hobart, Tasmania
Photographed 1999 Parliament House, (originally built as the Custom House), Murray Street and Parliament Square, Hobart, Tasmania, 1835-40, John Lee Archer. Built of freestone quarried in Hobart, the walls of the ground floor have a rusticated finish, while those of the upper storey have a smooth finish. The design which reflects many qualities of graceful Georgian style features a large entry section of five arched doorways paired with symmetrical windows on the floor above. The long frontage of the building is balanced by curved corner sections at each end. The building was initially occupied by customs and the Legislative Council. Following the introduction of responsible government in 1855, accommodation was provided for both the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. A new chamber for the Assembly was built as part of a rear extension behind the entry area in 1939. The original slate roof has been replaced with tiles. Reference: Historic Public Buildings of Australia, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, 1971, p 70-77, O’Malley, Dinah, Historic Buildings of Australia, Macmillan Pocket Guide, Macmillan Company, Australasia, 1981, p.43.
Treasury, Hobart, Tasmania
Photographed 1999 Treasury, corner of Murray Street and Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 1838, John Lee Archer. This building was constructed as Police and Convict Offices and then became the Treasury, surviving today in its original form. It is a fine example of early Australian government architecture with a classical portico between two arched windows. The three simple windows of the first floor are arranged symmetrically, and the uncluttered pediment completes the unpretentious yet impressive appearance of the stone building. Reference: Historic Public Buildings of Australia, vol. 2, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, 1971, p. 36. Robertson, E. Graeme, Early Buildings of Southern Tasmania, Georgian House, Melbourne, 1970, vol.1, p.106.
Government Offices, Hobart, Tasmania
Photographed 1999 Government Offices, Murray Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 1840, Alexander Cheyne, to the 1837 design of John Lee Archer. This is a two storied stone building constructed in a U shape. The central three-storied entry section has an impressive portico attributed to the convict architect, James Blackburn. It was added in 1842: its original design was modified as a result of public pressure to match the neighbouring porticoes. This building forms part of the Treasury. Reference: Robertson, E. Graeme, Early Buildings of Southern Tasmania, Georgian House, Melbourne, 1970, vol.1, p.106. Historic Public Buildings of Australia, vol.2, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, 1971, p. 36. Architectural Guide to the City of Hobart, Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Tasmanian Chapter, 1984, p.25. Register of the Tasmanian Heritage Council, R2037.
Executive Building, Hobart, Tasmania
Photographed 1999 Executive Building, Franklin Square, Hobart, Tasmania, 1884, William Waters Eldridge. New accommodation was provided here for the Governor’s office and Executive Council. It also accommodated the Lands and Titles Department, Crown Law Offices and Board of Education. Reference: Tourist Information Board, Franklin Square, Hobart. ‘Historic Parks and Government Buildings’. Historic Public Buildings of Australia, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, 1971, p. 39 Information supplied by Brendan Lennard, Cultural Heritage Officer, Hobart City Council, 2001.
Public Offices, Hobart, Tasmania
Photographed 1999 Public Offices, Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 1910-14, Douglas Salier. This building replaced William Porden Kay’s building of 1858. It is constructed of brick with stone cladding on the facade. Although built in the Edwardian style it complemented the Supreme Court, which was extended by a third storey at this time. It completed the historic block of government offices bounded by Macquarie, Murray, Davey Streets and Franklin Square. Reference: Historic Public Buildings of Australia, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, 1971, p. 39. Architectural Guide to the City of Hobart, Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Tasmanian Chapter, 1984, p.25. Information from Brendan Lennard, Cultural Heritage Officer, Hobart City Council, 2001. Register of the Tasmanian Heritage Council, reference: R1989.
Public Offices, Launceston, Tasmania
Photographed 2000 Public Offices, 55 St. John Street, Launceston, Tasmania, 1859. This building was constructed in black brick and freestone with stucco render to the windows, quoins, string courses, cornices and pediment. It has been painted. The central section is separated from the wings by bays which are set back from the street line. This provides an interest to what might otherwise be a very repetitious design. The simple decoration of the cornices, pediments and chimneys complete the graceful appearance of the building. Reference: The Heritage of Tasmania, The Illustrated Register of the National Estate, The Macmillan Company, 1983, p. 127 Register of the Tasmanian Heritage Council, R4071.
Parliament House, Melbourne, Victoria
Photographed 1990 Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 1856-1892, John Kerr and Peter Knight. Peter Kerr and John Knight are credited with the design, although earlier designs may have contributed to their concept. Later changes were probably made as the work proceeded in stages from 1856 to 1892. At one time a tower was proposed, and a dome at another, but neither eventuated. The first stage was the main block which housed the two chambers and offices. This was followed by the library in 1860 and Queen’s Hall in 1879. The west facade completed in 1892 was built of stone quarried in the Grampians in western Victoria. The entrance is approached up an impressive flight of stairs which leads to the massive colonnade. Federal Parliament sat here from 1901 until 1927. Reference: Harvey, Anthony, The Melbourne Book, Hutchinson Group (Australia) Pty. Ltd., 1982, pp. 70, 71. The Heritage of Victoria, The Illustrated Register of the National Estate, Macmillan Company of Australia in association with the Australian Heritage Commission, supported by H.C. Sleigh Limited, CRA Limited, pp. 44, 45.
Records Office, Melbourne, Victoria
Photographed 1980 Records Office, 287-95 Queen Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 1900-04, S.E. Bindley. This two-storey building with bluestone footings was constructed of brick and stucco. The façade to Queen Street has five bays: the central bay is three storied with symmetrically placed arched windows; the other bays have pairs of pilasters and windows with decorative sills. The stucco finish to the ground floor is banded to the height of the window arches; this complements the strong horizontal line of the string course. A decorative pediment surrounds the roof of the building. Reference: The Heritage of Victoria, The Illustrated Register of the National Estate, Macmillan Company of Australia in association with the Australian Heritage Commission, supported by H.C. Sleigh Limited, CRA Limited, p. 59.
State Government Offices, Melbourne, Victoria
Photographed 1990 State Government Offices, Treasury Place, Melbourne, Victoria, 1874-77, M. Egan, [1859 Footings J.J. Clark] This four-storey building is constructed of brick with a smooth stucco finish to the walls and banded finish to the quoins. The top floor windows are plain, but the other floors are distinguished by different presentations of the windows. Strong string courses divide each floor. The imposing portico at the entrance has classical columns and enablature on which stands the coat of arms. The Melbourne Argus September 1877 reported that the building would be occupied by the Departments of Education, Lands, Mines, Public Works, Law and Treasury. Reference: Harvey, Anthony, The Melbourne Book, Hutchinson Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, 1982 Lewis, Miles, Australian Architectural Index, (microform), 2nd ed., Parkville, Victoria, University of Melbourne, Department of Architecture and Building, 1986.
Treasury, Melbourne, Victoria
Photographed 1990 Treasury, Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 1858-62, J.J. Clark. Built of Bacchus Marsh sandstone with bluestone footings and Welsh slate roof, this building was completed by R. Huckson and Company for 72,000 pounds. The central section facing Spring Street has three main entrances. Above them an elaborate arcade flanked by porticos rises through the two upper floors. Each floor has a distinct style of windows. The basement with walls two feet thick housed the bullion. The building is now used as a museum. Reference: Historic Public Buildings of Australia, vol. 2., Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia Limited, pp. 176-181. The Heritage of Victoria, The Illustrated Register of the National Estate, Macmillan Company of Australia in association with the Australian Heritage Commission, supported by H.C. Sleigh Limited, CRA Limited, p. 44. Harvey, Anthony, The Melbourne Book, Hutchinson Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, 1982, p. 76. Boyd, Robin, The Walls around Us, Angus and Robertson, 1982, pp. 32, 33. O’Malley, Dinah, Historic Buildings of Australia, Macmillan Pocket Guide, Macmillan Company, Australasia, 1981, pp. 104-106. Apperly, Richard; Irving, Robert; Reynolds, Peter; A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architecture, Angus and Robertson, 1989, pp. 52-55.
Sub-Treasury, Beechworth, Victoria
Photographed 1989 Sub-Treasury, Ford Street, Beechworth, Victoria, 1857, Public Works Department. The symmetrical design of this stone building is emphasized by the central chimney and porches at each end of the skillion roof. The gabled roof with parapets at each end was originally covered with slate. The services of the sub-treasury were vital in the period of the gold rush, but with its decline the building became a Police Station. Reference: The Reader’s Digest Book of Historic Australian Towns, compiled and designed by Reader’s Digest Services Pty. Ltd., Sydney. Photographs by Robin Morrison, Consultant and architectural historian, Robert Irving, 1982, pp. 42-43. Historic Public Buildings of Austral1a,,vol. 2, Australian Council of National Trusts, Cassell Australia, Limited, 1971, pp.170-71. The Heritage of Victoria, the Illustrated Register of the National Estate, Macmillan Company of Australia in association with the Australian Heritage Commission, supported by H.C. Sleigh Limited, CRA Limited, p. 172.
East Block, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes
Photographed 2002 East Block, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, Australian Capital Territory. 1927, John Smith Murdoch. This building, originally known as Secretariat Building No. 1 is located on the east side of Parliament House. Along with West Block it housed offices of Commonwealth government departments. The front area was devoted to the Canberra Post Office. It is now the home of the National Archives. It is a two storey cement rendered brick building with exposed brick footings. It complements the West Block with its minimal decoration of string course, cornice and parapet, and balcony sills with wrought iron trim on the end windows of the upper floor. There are arched entrances on either side of the front bay. Reference: Fact sheet, National Archives of Australia – web site http://www.naa.gov.au
West Block, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes
Photographed 2002 West Block, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, Australian Capital Territory. 1927, John Smith Murdoch. This was originally known as the Secretariat Building No. 2 and housed the Prime Minister’s Department and Ministerial offices. Originally this building and East Block housed the entire Commonwealth public service. West Block continues to house government offices. The two buildings were named according to their position in relation to Parliament House. West Block is a three storey building constructed in brick with cement render above the ground floor level. It presents as a bank of three interconnecting buildings built in a very simple style. The complex is unified by the symmetrical arrangement of the rectangular windows, the string course between the two upper floors, and the simple cornice and parapet. The main arched entrance is located in a protruding bay of the central section of the complex. The arches repeat in the ground floor openings at either end of the recessed bays. The side wings also have arched openings in corresponding positions. The only decorative effects are the narrow balcony sills with wrought iron trim below the end windows of the top floor. Reference: Fact sheet, National Archives of Australia – web site http://www.naa.gov.au
Provisional Parliament House, Canberra
Photographed 2000 Provisional Parliament House, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 1923-1927, John Smith Murdoch. Although it was constructed later than the buildings displayed on this website, it is a significant inclusion because it symbolises the birth of Australia as a nation. It was the work of John Smith Murdoch, an architect with the Public Works Department of Queensland before becoming the first Commonwealth architect. Built of rendered brick with exposed brick footings, the original building consisted of five main bays divided by protruding sections featuring arched openings and stepped parapets, the two on either side of the entrance bays bearing coats of arms. The design featured recessed balconies behind openings which aligned symmetrically with the lines of windows. These were enclosed later, but somewhat re-claimed when the building was restored. The varying levels of the flat roofline differentiate the distinct bays of the building; the three storey elevations are set back from the two-storey facades. The roofline has been changed over the years, but this has not detracted from the uniform balance and symmetry of the design. The building is unified by the continuous line of the wide stepped eaves and parapet, and alignment of the windows and openings. The building has been extended at the rear and on both sides. Reference: http://www.act.nationaltrust.org.au web site of the National Trust of the Australian Capital Territory