Ultimo Tafe Nsw

SANDSTONE

CARVINGS RECORDING

ULTIMO TAFE NSW

1 SANDSTONE

CARVINGS RECORDING

ULTIMO TAFE NSW CONTENTS

PART 1 INTRODUCTION 9

OVERVIEW 11

PART 2 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDING 17

PART 3 CONCISE REPORT 227 PART 1

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW

6 7 INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND This document presents a photographic record of sandstone carvings which adorn Buildings A, B & C, Ultimo TAFE, Sydney. Close to 100 carvings adorn the facade. Incorporated within the imposts and finials, the carvings largely depict Australian flora and fauna motifs. Funding was provided by the NSW Public Works Minister’s Stonework Program. Included is an inventory which identifies the principle features on each unique carving and an investigation into the history, context and significance of the carvings. Photography was undertaken in 2012-13 from scaffold constructed for façade repairs. No repairs were carried out on the carvings at this time.

Recording significant carvings is an important aspect of stone conservation. It provides a record of the current condition of the stone, documentary evidence which can help determine the rate of deterioration when compared with future condition. Photographs record information for future generations, should they choose to re-carve due to loss of all recognisable detail. Recording also provides public access to and appreciation of these skilfully executed and unique carving located high on the façade.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This report was prepared by the Government Architect’s Office. Joy Singh and Katie Hicks co-ordinated and compiled the report, graphic design by Marietta Buikema and drawings by Milena Crawford. The history, context and significance were researched and written by Margaret Betteridge of MuseCape and Photography by Michael Nicholson.

LOCATION Buildings A, B and C are located on the corner of Harris Street and Mary Ann Streets, on land which was once part of the Ultimo House estate, previously owned by former Mayor of Sydney, John Harris. Building A, facing Mary Ann Street, was completed in 1891 as the Sydney Technical College and housed classrooms; Building C, the Technological Museum fronting Harris Street was completed in 1893. Building B, modified in 1911 with the addition of an additional storey and façade details to the original Mary Ann Street building, features a large auditorium and is referred to as Turner Hall.

Location of Buildings A, B and C, Sydney Technical College, Ultimo, Sydney

8 9 OVERVIEW

by Margaret Betteridge

THE ARCHITECTURE OF SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE The complex of buildings at the corner of Mary Ann and Harris Streets was to include the College, two high schools and the Technological Museum whose fledgling collection had all but been destroyed by the disastrous fire in the Garden Palace, built to house Sydney’s 1879 International Exhibition, in 1882. Laboratories, machine sheds and workshops which were located nearby have long since been demolished.

The architect appointed to design the new complex for the College was William Kemp (1831-1898). Born in Newcastle, NSW, Kemp was the son of an English architect/builder who settled at Stroud and brother of Charles Kemp, a successful businessman who for a time was co-owner, with James Fairfax, of the Sydney Morning Herald. In 1849, Kemp was articled to Sydney architect Edmund Blacket, transferring to the Colonial Architect’s Office in 1854 where he worked under William Weaver. When Weaver left government to establish a private practice, Kemp joined him in a partnership. In 1880, when Sir John Robertson, premier of New South Wales, amalgamated all school construction under one departmental head, he appointed Kemp to fill the position. Kemp continued in this position throughout the economic downturn during the 1890s when the Department of Public Instruction’s architectural section was briefly amalgamated in 1894 with the Government Architect’s Branch of the Public Works Department, at which point, Kemp retired.

Kemp’s style is significant because it departed from the emulation of Neo-Classical architecture which had thrived under Barnet’s term as government architect. Kemp was not interested in creating a lofty College ‘temple’ where students would come to worship at the feet of knowledge’. Nor was his palette the honey colour of the ‘yellow block’ Sydney sandstone of Barnet’s public buildings, but a new bold palette of polychrome expressed in a variety of fabricated materials. We can see his style in the school buildings erected circa 1890s which display a different style altogether.

10 11 SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE BUILDINGS A, B and C CARVINGS Report prepared by MUSEcape Pty Ltd August 2012

SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE BUILDINGS A, B and C CARVINGS Report prepared by MUSEcape Pty Ltd August 2012

Figures 8, 9: Inside, classrooms and studios provided students with airy, well-lit and ventilated space for study Figure 5: Architectural elevation of the Mary Ann Street façade of Sydney Technical College Source NSW Public Building B Works Archives SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE BUILDINGS A, B and C CARVINGS Report prepared by MUSEcape Pty Ltd August 2012

The extension which created Turner Hall (Building B) was completed in 1911, twenty years after the College was built. Named to honour former superintendent of technical education J W Turner, the design of the building has been attributed to James Nangle (1868-1941) 4 who was then lecturer in charge of architecture at the College. However the plans for the proposed alterations and additions dated 1910 are signed by W L Vernon and an assistant architect and may reflect administrative changes. The design added an extra storey to accommodate a large auditorium, and a new facade to the original Mary Ann Street building on the Harris Street side of the main building. It used Sydney Technical College under construction, circa 1891, completed in 1891. R M Wells who supervised the building of Sydney Technical College complementary architectural language and finishesInside, classroomsincluding and studios polychrome brickwork, rusticated and the Technological Museum subsequently became provided students with airy, well-lit SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE BUILDINGS A, B and C CARVINGS ReNSWport Government prepared Architect by inMUSE 1927. cape Pty Ltd August 2012 stone, terracotta tiled spandrels and carved frieze and decorations ventilated space for study. of Australian flora and fauna.

Figures 6, 7: Sydney Technical College under construction, circa 1891, completed in 1891. R M Wells who Figures 8, 9: Inside, classrooms and studios provided students with airy, well-lit and ventilated space for study supervised the building of Sydney Technical College and the Technological Museum subsequently became BUILDING A BUILDING B Government Architect in 1927 Building B The main College building, fronting Mary Ann Street was designed The extension which created Turner Hall (Building B) was in Federation Romanesque style expressed in a parapeted gable, Thecompleted extension in 1911, which twenty created years after Turner the College Hall was (Building built. B) was completed in 1911, twenty years after the semi-circular openings and the use of grouped double semicircular Named to honour former superintendent of technical education College was built. Named to honour former superintendent of technical education J W Turner, the arched recessed panels between expressed pilasters. The J W Turner, the design of the building has been attributed to 4 rectangular three-storey building is symmetrical with a slate- designJames of Nangle the building(1868-1941) has1 who been was then attributed lecturer in chargeto James of Nangle (1868-1941) who was then lecturer in hipped and gabled roof. It is further distinguished by a colonnaded chargearchitecture of architecture at the College. atHowever the College.the plans for However the proposed the plans for the proposed alterations and additions entrance portico with polished trachyte columns supporting datedalterations 1910 and are additions signed dated by 1910W L areVernon signed byand W Lan Vernon assistant architect and may reflect administrative rusticated sandstone arches containing carved representations and an assistant architect and may reflect administrative changes. changes. The design added an extra storey to accommodate a large auditorium, and a new facade of mostly Australian fauna, and small finials either side of the The design added an extra storey to accommodate a large central gable. A distinctive feature is use of polychrome brickwork, to theauditorium, original and Marya new facade Ann toStreet the original building Mary Ann on Street the Harris Street side of the main building. It used decorative terracotta tile panels and sandstone impost carvings 6 complementarybuilding on the Harris architectural Street side of the language main building. and It usedfinishes including polychrome brickwork, rusticated of largely Australian flora and fauna. The main College building is stone,complementary terracotta architectural tiled spandrels language and and finishes carved including frieze decorations of Australian flora and fauna. flanked on either side by two smaller Queen Anne style buildings polychrome brickwork, rusticated stone, terracotta tiled spandrels with painted glass windows in the stairwells, themed to represent and carved impost decorations of predominantly Australian flora the arts and trades, completed in 1891. Originally intended as and fauna. separate high schools for girls and boys, one opened for boys in 1892, the girls preferring not to leave their Elizabeth Street site for the wilds of Ultimo.

SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE BUILDINGS A, B and C CARVINGS Report prepared by MUSEcape Pty Ltd August 2012

Plans and elevations for additions and alterations to Sydney Technical College Figure 10: Plans and elevations for additions and alterations to Sydney Technicalat Ultimo, adding Turner College Hall (Building B), at Ultimo, signed by government architect adding Turner Hall (Building B), signed by government architect W. L. Vernon,W. L. Vernon, 1910.1910 Figure 5: Architectural elevation of the Mary Ann Street façade of Sydney Technical CollegeArchitectural Sourceelevation of the NSW Mary Ann Public Street façade of Sydney Technical College Works Archives Source NSW Public Works Archives.

4 Entry for James Nangle, Australian Dictionary of Biography accessed at http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/nangle-james-7722. Nangle had attended classes at Sydney Technical College and at the University of Sydney in the 1880s and in 1890 he began teaching mechanical 1 Entry for James Nangle, Australian Dictionary of Biography accessed at http://adb.anu.edu.au/ Completed subsequent to William biography/nangle-james-7722. Nangle had attended classes at Sydney Technicaldrawing College and part at the -time for the technical education branch of the Department of Public Instruction. In 1905, he was transferred to STC, University of Sydney in the 1880s and in 1890 he began teaching mechanicalbecoming drawing part-time lecturer for -in-charge of the department of architectureKemp’s retirement, in 1905 the addition and superintendent of technical education in 1913. the technical education branch of the Department of Public Instruction. In 1905, he was transferred to Turner Hall (Building B) was Figureto STC, 10:becoming Plans lecturer-in-charge and of elevations the department of architecture for additio in 1905 and nssuperintendent and alterations of to Sydney Technical College atundertaken Ultimo, sympathetically, ensuring technical education in 1913. visual integrity with Building A. adding Turner Hall (Building B), signed by government architect W. L. Vernon, 1910 7 12 Figure 11: Completed subsequent to William Kemp’s retirement, the addition to Turner Hall (Building 13 B) was undertaken sympathetically, ensuring visual integrity with Building A. Building C 4 Entry for James Nangle, Australian Dictionary of BiographyThe accessedTechnological at http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/nangle Museum on the corner of Mary Ann and Harris-james Streets,-7722 the last. Nangle of Kemp’s had attended classes at Sydney Technical College and at thecommission University for of the Sydney complex, in openedthe 1880s in 1893 and and in 1890 was similarly he bega styledn teaching to the College mechanical buildin g with drawing part-time for the technical education branch of thecontrasting Department brickwork, of Public rusticated Instruction. sandstone In 1905,sills, terracotta he was transferredtile panels and to naturalistically STC, carved becoming lecturer-in-charge of the department of architecturesandstone in 1905 frieze and ornament. superintendent Reviewing ofthe technical Museum buildingeducation in 1893, in 1913. The Australian Builder and Contractor’s News noted how skilfully Kemp had ‘utilised and adapted the form of the Romanesque to the requirements of his edifice, without adopting the coarseness and almost barbaric massiveness7 5 Figures 6, 7: Sydney Technical College under construction, circa 1891, completed in 1891. R M Wells who that characterise a good deal of the American Romanesque.’ supervised the building of Sydney Technical College and the Technological Museum subsequently became Government Architect in 1927

Figures 12,13 : The completed Technological Museum, Harris Street, Ultimo, circa mid 1890s(left) and the complex including Sydney Technical College (right), Kerry and Co, Sydney 1892

5 William E Kemp School Buildings (Paper read before the Sydney Architectural Association 3 July 1893 Australian Builders and Contractors 6 News 8 July 1893 pp15-17 8

SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE BUILDINGS A, B and C CARVINGS Report prepared by MUSEcape Pty Ltd August 2012

Figure 11: Completed subsequent to William Kemp’s retirement, the addition to Turner Hall (Building B) was undertaken sympathetically, ensuring visual integrity with Building A.

Building C SYDNEYThe Technological TECHNICAL Museum COLL on the cornerEGE of B MaryUILDINGS Ann and Harris A, Streets, B and the C last CARVINGS of Kemp’s Report prepared by MUSEcape Pty Ltd August 2012 commission for the complex, opened in 1893 and was similarly styled to the College building with contrasting brickwork, rusticated sandstone sills, terracotta tile panels and naturalistically carved sandstone frieze ornament. Reviewing the Museum building in 1893, The Australian Builder and Contractor’s News noted how skilfully Kemp had ‘utilised and adapted the form of the Romanesque to the requirements of his edifice, without adopting the coarseness and almost barbaric massiveness Kemp’sthat characterise choice a good deal of of the the American Romanesque Romanesque.’5 style for the architecture of the College and Museum was a major departure from the classical sandstone tradition which had dominated Sydney buildings for a century. Kemp fully appreciated the values at the core of the institution, namely the application of the applied sciences and arts and he saw the buildings as the envelopes for educational institutions

with a compass to guide and inspire artisans andThe completed techniciansTechnological Museum, Harris Street, for social, scientific, technological and Ultimo, circa mid 1890s(left) and the complex including Sydney Technical College (right), artistic improvement. Kerry and Co, Sydney 1892. Figures 12,13 : The completed Technological Museum, Harris Street, Ultimo, circa mid 1890s(left) and the complex including Sydney Technical College (right), Kerry and Co, Sydney 1892 BUILDING C The Technological Museum on the corner of Mary Ann and Harris

5 Streets, the last of Kemp’s commission for the complex, opened William E Kemp School Buildings (Paper read before the Sydney Architectural Association 3 July 1893 Australian Builders and Contractors News 8 inJuly 1893 1893 and pp15 was-17 similarly styled to the College building with contrasting brickwork, rusticated sandstone sills, terracotta tile panels and naturalistically carved sandstone impost ornament. 8 Reviewing the Museum building in 1893, The Australian Builder and Contractor’s News noted how skilfully Kemp had ‘utilised and adapted the form of the Romanesque to the requirements of his edifice, without adopting the coarseness and almost barbaric massiveness that characterise a good deal of the American Romanesque’.2

Kemp’s choice of the Romanesque style for the architecture of the College and Museum was a major departure from the classical sandstone tradition which had dominated Sydney buildings for a century. Kemp fully appreciated the values at the core of the institution, namely the application of the applied sciences and arts and he saw the buildings as the envelopes for educational institutions with a compass to guide and inspire artisans and technicians for social, scientific, technological and artistic improvement.

Kemp’s use of the Romanesque was not alone. By far, the most impressive example of a Romanesque building in Sydney around this time is without doubt the Queen Victoria Building, built on the site of the former city markets and designed by former city architect, George McRae (later NSW government architect). Completed in 1898, its architectural style is described as Newcastle Technical College, completed in 1894, and Federation Romanesque, influenced heavily by the American originally comprising the College, School of Mines and a The Queen Victoria Building (Markets), completed in 1898 museum, has many similar details to Kemp’s Romanesque is Romanesque-style architecture on a grand scale Romanesque style popularised by prominent 19th century Technical College complex at Ultimo. Here Kemp has incorporated ornate polychrome brickwork in three FigureAmerican 14 architect,: Newcastle Henry Hobson Richardson. Technical College, completed in 1894, and originallycolours, carved Pyrmont sandstone comprising mouldings, finials the College, School of and copings, patterned terracotta tile spandrels and gable Mines and a museum, has many similar details to Kemp’s Romanesqueapexes. Trades Hall, Technicalto the left, was added in 1895. College complex at Ultimo.

2 William E Kemp School Buildings (Paper read before the Sydney Architectural Association 3 July Here he1893 Australian has Builders and incorporated Contractors News 8 July 1893 pp15-17 polychrome brickwork in three colours, carved Pyrmont sandstone mouldings, finials 14 15 and copings, patterned terracotta tile spandrels and gable apexes and ornate brickwork. Trades Hall, to the left, was added in 1895.

Figure 15: The Queen Victoria Building (Markets), completed in 1898 was Romanesque-style architecture on a grand scale.