Lawson Village
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LAWSON VILLAGE MECHANIC’S INSTITUTE HALL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT REPORT JUNE 2004 NOEL BELL RIDLEY SMITH & PARTNERS ARCHITECTS PTY LIMITED 2 Mc Manus Street Mc Mahons Point NSW 2060 Telephone 99222344 Facsimile 99221308 ABN 16 002 247 56 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This study was undertaken by Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners Architects at the request of the Blue Mountains City Council as part of the public assessment of options for the Lawson Mechanic’s Institute Site pending widening of the Great Western Highway through the Village of Lawson. The specific aim of the study is to determine any potential heritage values of the existing buildings on the site and the impact on those values of the proposed road widening. In particular the study was undertaken to identify any options for the retention of heritage value for the site arising from the proposed partial demolition of the existing building and for inclusion of recommendations in a Plan of Management being prepared for the site by Council. The study follows the published guidelines of the NSW Heritage Office for undertaking Heritage Assessments The Lawson Mechanic’s Institute has been identified in the Blue Mountains Heritage Study (2002) for its Local heritage significance for historical evolution, historic associations, aesthetic and social values for the reasons identified in the summary statement of significance. Review of the available information indicates that some of the identified heritage value of place is reflected in the current physical form of the building despite modifications and additions to its early configuration. The strongest visual heritage character is associated with the front façade of the building that is proposed for demolition for the road widening. Of lesser significance is the rear timber framed section of the complex containing the facilities of the Mid Mountains Youth Centre. The Rural fire Services structures have no heritage significance. Limited mitigation measures are available in regard to the identified impacts on the heritage values of the Lawson Mechanic’s Institute and its component parts arising from the proposed partial demolition of the original hall structure. The Lawson Mechanic’s Institute Hall does however have the potential for partial reconstruction and interpretation of its existing streetscape appearance on a reduced curtilage. This option would continue to provide a significant but diminished focal point to the eastern entry to the Lawson Village Area from the enlarged highway and from the main Northern Railway. Functional relationships within the existing building are likely to be affected by necessary changes in accessibility from the rear and by the requirements for universal access. The reconstruction of the façade of the hall would have limited heritage values and may further reduce the current levels of functionality of the building and decrease its potential usability for various groups within the community. 1 Lawson Mechanics institute Hall Heritage Assessment 2004 Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners Architects Pty Limited D:\LAWSON MECHANICS INSTITUTE FINAL REPORT.doc RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations arise from the study: 1 COMMUNITY USE Any future use of the site should if possible be associated with the wider Mid Mountains community in recognition of the central role played by the Mechanics Institute Hall in the evolving life of Lawson as a Mountains community. A variety of such uses should be investigated for their financial viability and social sustainability. 2 DEMOLITION Demolition of the front section of the building should be undertaken carefully with a view to recovery of significant material and elements for possible re-use in any future reconstruction or commemoration of the site. Demolition or removal for relocation of the rear additions to the hall is also acceptable subject to adoption of an appropriate option for the use of the site. From a heritage point of view retention of the maximum amount of original and early fabric is however the preferred option. 3 RECONSTRUCTION Subject to physical and financial viability and identification of an appropriate new use, priority should be given to the retention of surviving historic fabric of the Lawson Mechanics Institute Hall and reconstruction of the original façade detail. Subject to further detailed investigation, reconstruction of the form of the later northern porch should also be considered if possible, including its potential adaptation for storage or other uses. Retention of the porch is not essential. Preference should be given to removal of the visually intrusive eastern side addition. 4 ADAPTATION Adaptation of all or part of the existing structures on the site for sympathetic new uses is an acceptable heritage option for the site. Adaptation may involve substantial internal alterations to the original hall but should if possible retain the original external appearance. Adaptation may also involve the construction of new facilities on the site either attached or detached to the retained hall structures. Adaptation of the place should address the issue of orientation and access resulting from the proposed changes to the northern portion of the site. 5 RECOVERED MATERIALS Where possible an attempt should be made to recover materials and in particular bricks from the original railway platforms during the demolition process for use on the site or elsewhere in Lawson as part of the heritage interpretation of the site. 6 ARCHIVAL RECORDING A detailed survey and archival photographic record of the Lawson Mechanic’s Institute should be undertaken prior to the demolition works commencing and should be lodged, in a public archive for future reference and research together with all available archival photographs and studies prepared as part of the current planning process 2 Lawson Mechanics institute Hall Heritage Assessment 2004 Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners Architects Pty Limited D:\LAWSON MECHANICS INSTITUTE FINAL REPORT.doc 7 ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS A series of oral history interviews with relevant community members with information on use of the facility in the early to mid 20th century should be undertaken and transcribed for inclusion in Council’s Local History Collections. 8 SETTING The setting of the building will be substantially affected both by the proximity of the new road and by the elevated position of the roadway in relation to the existing building. This will also virtually preclude access to the existing hall from the north. The immediate setting of any retained portion of the building should be improved by appropriate landscaping and fencing that enhances the residual heritage significance of the place particularly when viewed from the east and north. 9 SITE INTERPRETATION Irrespective of the outcome for the site appropriate forms of heritage interpretation of the evolution of the place as an important component of the Lawson Village Area should be located there or in a public place in the Village Core Area. Interpretation should address each of the identified heritage values and may take the form of signage, plaques, physical memorials and heritage trail markers. Interpretation should also take the form of documentation kept in public archives for future reference. ROBERT STAAS Heritage Consultant Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners Architects Pty Limited June 2004 3 Lawson Mechanics institute Hall Heritage Assessment 2004 Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners Architects Pty Limited D:\LAWSON MECHANICS INSTITUTE FINAL REPORT.doc LAWSON MECHANIC’S INSTITUTE HERITAGE ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report has been prepared by Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners Architects to assess the heritage significance of the Lawson Mechanic’s Institute and the potential impacts of the widening of the Great Western Highway on the identified local heritage significance of the building and its immediate curtilage and the wider setting of the Lawson Village Area. The report follows the guidelines set down by the NSW Heritage Office for assessing heritage values and items and conforms to the information required for a Conservation Management Strategy and for State Heritage Inventory listing. 1.1 BACKGROUND The Mechanics Institute Hall at Lawson has been identified as a potential heritage item of local significance in the Blue Mountains City Council and has been recommended for inclusion in its Local Environmental Plan. Portion of the site and the building has been purchased by the RTA for the widening of the Great Western Highway and compensation paid for these assets has been used by Council in the construction of a new community facility on another site. Use of the building since its resumption has been subject to the discretion of the RTA pending the necessity for demolition. Under the terms of the resumption the RTA have the right to demolish the front of the building leaving the remaining portion for the Council to deal with, or in the case of any concern over this procedure, to demolish the whole structure. Council has in the past ten years considered the reconstruction of the existing façade on the truncated building and has also considered other options for the building and the site. 1.2 THE BRIEF The commission for this assessment was given to Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners by Martin Ryman, Area Manager Blue Mountains City Council. The brief for this report which forms Appendix No7, includes the following tasks: • To examine and comment on the heritage value of the building. • To assist in the development of a Plan of Management. 4 Lawson Mechanics institute Hall Heritage Assessment 2004 Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners Architects Pty Limited D:\LAWSON MECHANICS INSTITUTE FINAL REPORT.doc • Develop options on commemoration and interpretation of the social and cultural significance of the Mechanics Institute Hall. • Develop options in regard to ‘honouring’ the heritage contribution of the façade. The report does not address any issues arising from pre European occupation or aboriginal archaeology of the place. 1.3 AUTHORSHIP The above tasks were carried out by Robert Staas, Director / Heritage Consultant of Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners Architects Pty Limited in May - June 2004.