autumn 2014 EDITORIAL Reinforcing the importance of our recent heritage

LESSONS FROM THE PAST Early workers’ housing in

ADAPTATION IN FOCUS The poetry of preserving places

HISTORY FOR SALE The ethical implications of the Department of Lands Building divestment History informing the future The benefits of recognising and retaining our heritage 9. Editor Laura Wise [email protected] Editorial Committee Chair Contents Shaun Carter [email protected] President’s message Editorial Committee 02 Noni Boyd [email protected]

Callantha Brigham Chapter news [email protected] 03 Matthew Chan [email protected]

Art direction and design 12. 06 2014 Newcastle Architecture Awards Jamie Carroll and Ersen Sen leadinghand.com.au Copy Editor Opinion – Gender equity: a little less conversation, Monique Pasilow 07 a little more action Callantha Brigham Managing Editor Roslyn Irons From the NSW Government Architect: Advertising [email protected] 08 Organised freedom Peter Poulet

Subscriptions (annual) The original design Five issues $60, students $40 Conserving our 20th century heritage: guest [email protected] 09 editorial by Louise Cox AO and architecture event Editorial & advertising office Tusculum, 3 Manning Street 22. Potts Point NSW 2011 The fiscal advantage of a heritage listing Hector returns to Sydney in an (02) 9246 4055 11 Abrahams ISSN 0729 08714 exciting new location Published five times a year, Architecture Bulletin is the journal of Lessons from the past: what early workers’ the Australian Institute of Architects, 12 designEX invites you to explore over 12,500m² of design and NSW Chapter (ACN 000 023 012). housing in Sydney can teach us Michael Zanardo architecture product suppliers including Axolotl, Boral, Karndean Continuously published since 1944.

Design Flooring, Knauf, Poly or and more. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed 16 The poetic in adaptation Mary Knaggs Discover a host of onsite collaborations with partners including in articles and letters published in Mount Langi Ghiran Wine Bar and Young Henrys Beer Bar, Architecture Bulletin are the personal views and opinions of the authors of installations and international speakers, headlined by world these writings and do not necessarily A house in Hunters Hill Don Gazzard renowned trend forecaster, Lidewij Edelkoort. represent the views and opinions of 19 the Institute and its officers. Material Don’t miss WORKOPOLIS, an exploration of physical contained in this publication is general comment and is not intended as advice and cognitive space in our borderless 24/7 society on any particular matter. No reader A tale of two adaptations: Margi Fallon and designed by futurespace. should act or fail to act on the basis of Patrons 20 Noel Thomson examine two country NSW any material herein. Readers should Architecture Bulletin thanks adaptive re-use projects Register FREE online at consult professional advisers. The Australian Institute of Architects NSW its Patrons for their support www.designex.info/register Chapter, its officers, editor, editorial Gold Patron Using Promo Code: DESIGN2 committee and authors expressly The iconic Department of Lands Building disclaim all liability to any persons Hassell 22 in respect of acts or omissions by any Peter Webber Partners such person in reliance on any of the Silver Patrons contents of this publication. Bates Smart Twentieth century heritage: a research checklist Print and paper Cox Architecture 25 Noni Boyd Printed by Rostone Print using Group GSA soy-based vegetable inks on FSC mixed source certified paper, Bronze Patrons Review – Cultivating : Reading the manufactured to ISO 14 001 26 environmental accreditation using FJMT (Francis-Jones Modern Garden 1917-71 (book) Scott Robertson, A elemental chlorine-free (ECF) pulps. Morehen Thorp) Singular Vision: Harry Seidler (book) Glenn Harper, Plates and paper offcuts from the Lend Lease Design printing process are recycled. and The Wallpapered Manse: The Rescue of an Mirvac Design Endangered House (book) Kerime Danis Tanner Kibble Denton Architects Supporter 28 Obituary: Frederick John Ridley Smith Allen Jack+Cottier Technical Sponsor On the cover: A case study in adaptive re-use: the multi-award Architectural Window winning Paddington Reservoir Gardens by Tonkin Zulaikha designex.info Systems Greer Image: Eric Sierens.

Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 1

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The Institute has always been at the Botanic Gardens and the Domain Chapter Manager’s report focuses on issues affecting the practice of unique idea that could engage the community forefront in valuing recent architecture and architecture. There are various task groups in architecture, please contact Gillian this is as it should be. We have a responsibility It is right and proper that there is public Given recent changes to the Practice that undertake specific assignments as Redman-Lloyd at the Chapter. to lead public opinion in some areas, not just discussion and debate about significant public Committee now is a good opportunity to required such as contract reviews, human As recently announced in the weekly follow it. Our Register of Significant assets. The public consultation the Royal reiterate the Chapter’s committee structure resources and gender equity to name a few. e-news, the Chapter has been invited to Architecture (previously the Register of 20th Botanic Gardens Trust is currently conducting and to invite members who are interested in • the Design Culture Committee is responsible participate in the NSW Government’s Century Buildings of Significance), like the is precisely about this. (http://www.rbgsyd. contributing to Chapter activities to do so. for the creative direction of the Chapter’s exhibition at the China Beijing International National Trust Register and the Engineers nsw.gov.au/welcome/feature_stories/master_ Each of the committees has a particular cultural and public education program. Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing , Australia Register, records the profession’s plan). A recent article by Gerard Reinmuth for agenda: • the Continuing Professional Development from 28 May to 1 June. CIFTIS is one of the president s systematic analysis of the best work of each The Conversation places the current public • the Built Environment Committee is (CPD) Committee is responsible for largest services exhibitions in the world generation through a peer-review process. discussion in a broader context – http:// responsible for preparing and promoting designing the annual CPD program in line attracting 138,000 visitors and representatives message The NSW Chapter’s Valuing Award-Winning theconversation.com/keatings-wrong-about- Chapter policies on the built environment, with the Architects Accreditation Council of from 117 countries. The Institute will be While the profession and a sizeable portion of Buildings in the Long Term policy reinforces the-plans-for-sydneys-botanic-gardens-25473. planning and urban design. This includes Australia competencies and the NSW co-located with the , Destination the public has no trouble with the heritage that process as a means of encouraging the submissions to government and industry Architects Registration Board requirements. NSW, Screen NSW, University of Technology conservation and listing of our legacy from the statutory listing agencies to continually Urban activation precincts inquiries, draft legislation and policies. • the Heritage Committee is responsible for Sydney and NSW NOW to showcase the 19th century, things get a little more refresh their registers. I encourage all • the Education Committee contributes to the adding to and maintaining the NSW Register talented creative sectors available in New complicated once you start looking at the members to make themselves familiar with The NSW Government has introduced these formulation of Institute policy on the of Significant Architecture. South Wales to China and the world. If your 20th century. this as well as the Institute’s national Heritage urban activation precincts as a way of fast- education of people, including children, up to • the Sustainability Forum to discusses and practice has an office in China, or you are Policy – both available via the respective policy tracking the intensive development that is the point of attaining a prescribed promotes the importance of sustainability in planning to visit China during the exhibition The heritage of the recent past sections of the Institute website. required to accommodate an increasing qualification in architecture. It reviews architectural practice and informs the and would like to participate in this unique population. The Chapter supports the course recognition and accreditation, Institute on issues affecting the profession. opportunity, please phone Roslyn Irons on It is not so many decades ago that Federation Millers Point principles behind these new areas, particularly competency standards and the registration of The Chapter recently launched ArchiFUN, 02 9246 4055. style was regarded as either old hat or the importance of linking more intensive architects, and provides advice on the which, as it says, is designed to educate and impossibly cute. How times have changed. The Institute is concerned by the recent development with adjacent transport nodes to implementation of policy. entertain people, young and old, about the Roslyn Irons Now Federation houses are being snapped up announcement by the NSW Government to reduce dependence on private transport. The • the newly refreshed Practice Committee wonderful world of architecture. If you have a NSW Chapter Manager by Chinese investors and the virus of ‘fake remove long-term residents from Millers true test of the government’s policy, as will be Federation’ has spread far and wide in new Point and relocate them to other parts of the explained in one of the forthcoming Chapter housing developments. The Californian city. I have written to the Minister for Family advocacy publications, is that our urban areas Patrons news bungalow is increasingly valued, while Art and Community Services, Pru Goward, to become not just bigger in population, but also Deco has had a special and enthusiastic reiterate our position that cities are not a better in design and amenity and fairer in to the terminal. Internally, the upper level following for many years. mass of interchangeable places and people; providing access to housing and services for a rooms are set around a full height circular What this seems to reveal is that, like most they are a collection of distinctive precincts, broader spread of the community. atrium. At ground level, the base of the atrium other cultural artefacts, buildings are least extended families and social networks. More provides a dramatic space for the lobby, bar appreciated by the generation that follows than any other place in Sydney, Millers Point NSW Digital Archive and restaurant. their creation. The 1950s are already back in is defined by its physical and social links to vogue, but only selectively. Liner House was the city’s maritime past. Last year the Chapter entered into an Cox Richardson was recently announced the first listed at a state level as long ago as 1988; Basic urban principles recognise the agreement with the City of Sydney that will winner of an international competition for the the AMP Building at , however, importance of mixing income and social enable our records and publications to be made design of a mixed-use residential complex on has only been listed by the City of Sydney, groups together in the same neighbourhood available to researchers, students and the Puteri Harbour in Malaysia. The proposal, despite its Award for Enduring Architecture at - it builds social cohesion. Rows of terraces general public. All our key records, including called Portoputeri (pictured right), explores a last year’s NSW Architecture Awards. are particularly suited to the ‘salt and Chapter Council minutes (since 1905) as well European village typology, applied to the Sadly, the esteem of the architectural pepper’ approach to urban planning, as editions of Architecture Bulletin (since 1944) densities of the Asian context. A coherent and profession was not enough to save the State retaining long-term low income tenants and Architecture Australia (selected issues since clear framework of public streets, pedestrian Office Block in the late 1990s; it was simply not among neighbouring properties that are 1956) have been digitised and loaded on a The new hotel planned for Canberra Airport. walkways and public places anchors the old enough to have won the general approval sold or leased. dedicated hard drive. We are grateful to the Image: Render by Bates Smart. projects. Environmental initiatives include of the public. At least the building that Reducing the economic burden of costly council for their support for this initiative, seawater cooling from the nearby harbour. replaced it is a fine work by a leading repairs on the NSW budget should free up which facilitates access to our own Bates Smart has won a design competition Cox is also starting sketch design for international architect. scarce resources to better serve vulnerable documentary heritage. To access this resource for a new hotel at Canberra Airport. The 4.5 Taronga Zoo’s new Eco-Retreat, an immersive Modernism and brutalism also have their communities, not dismantle them. The contact Heritage Officer Noni Boyd at the star hotel (pictured above) is situated at the experience that builds on the zoo’s very adherents, notably through the work of Institute considers that, taking economic Chapter office. Incidentally, Chapter records entrance gateway to the airport and will successful Roar and Snore program. The DOCOMOMO, but it is still difficult making considerations into account, there are less from 1871–1904 are held in the Mitchell Library provide 191 rooms, a restaurant and Eco-Retreat will be carefully nestled into the the case for some of these buildings in the abrupt ways of increasing the income from collection. The Institute’s organisational conference facilities over seven storeys. bushland, taking advantage of the Sydney public arena. The long journey of the under-performing assets. The government heritage is truly an integral part of the heritage Inspired by Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for Harbour views and the unique experience of Wentworth Memorial Church from should use the income generated by the sale of . Canberra, the design synthesises circular and sharing the evening with the zoo’s inhabitants. recognition by the Institute’s register in 1994 to of some of these properties to rehouse axial geometries. The circular form provides a Early ideas include timber structures listing on the State Heritage Register was tenants in the same place and in the same Joe Agius bold entry marker to the airport precinct while modelled on a tree house and on-site energy Portoputeri. Image: Render by Cox Richardson. finally completed 18 months ago. community. NSW Chapter President the linear facade reinforces the axial approach generation through animal-waste methane.

2 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 3 chapter news

May and close on 18 July. For more NSW Chapter information go to www.lhuda.com.au. The next Newcastle ArchiMEET Digital Archive ‘Architecture – Inside and Out’ will be held on Friday 16 May at Fort Scratchley in Newcastle. Architectural documentation is often not Register online at www.architecture.com.au. nearly as easy to locate as other forms of For upcoming events and seminars in archival material and is frequently not being Newcastle in 2014, please check the Newcastle utilised when analysing buildings during the

Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre. Image: Mike Chorley. events section of the NSW Chapter web page conservation planning process or while at www.architecture.com.au. documenting alterations or additions. In New South Wales, architectural drawings and Hassell has appointed Ken Maher as its unpretentious” – in plan and organisation, the original specifications are languishing inaugural Hassell Fellow, effective from 1 project responds to the everyday workings of unused, many collections have been January 2014. This acknowledges Maher as one the club and its members. Interestingly, these accessioned but not indexed and their of the leading Australian architects of his members were instrumental in raising funds contents remain unknown. Australian Outrage (The Decay of a Visual Environment: A generation, and solidifies his contribution as a and sourcing donations for the construction of Leading the way in digitising architectural Study by the Royal Australian greatly influential figure in the history of the the club, and gained a strong sense of archives is the Avery Architectural and Fine Institute of Architects), first published in 1966 and edited practice. It also reflects a shift of emphasis in community ownership of the new building. Arts Library in New York, whose online by Don Gazzard, is available his role with the practice; Maher wants to While the project elegantly responds to its collection encompasses a wide range of digital as part of the NSW Chapter’s new digital archive. Image: dedicate more time to design, clients, teaching setting when viewed from the beach or street, This year’s SONA reps at the annual boot camp in February. images, drawing collections, photographs NSW Chapter Digital Archive. and supporting the development of talented from inside these surroundings are beautifully documenting buildings under construction, architects both in the firm and across the framed and slowly revealed to the visitor architectural periodicals and e-books. Old profession. He remains committed to major through a series of carefully crafted openings. SONA York, a substantial personal collection indexed the publication from 1944–1984. The Environment, also form part of the collection. projects he is leading and will be a key adviser to Prince Alfred Park Pool in Surry Hills was documenting the development of the city of digital archival collection also contains The NSW Chapter also holds donated other practice leaders in shaping the future of the second project visited. Rachel Neeson of The newly appointed SONA representatives New York, is currently being scanned so it can incomplete runs of Architecture Australia, archival material from the personal the firm. Neeson Murcutt Architects described the for New South Wales and the Australian be made available for researchers. A Built Atelier, Building Ideas, Cross Section, collections of former members including The recently opened Shoalhaven Cancer process of working with the City of Sydney to Capital Territory – Rio Murase, University of Works Register, documenting both Constructional Review and Constructive Times Hedley Carr, Anthony Gaskell, Neville Care Centre (pictured above) offers a dignified deliver the project, and introduced many of the Sydney; Aarthi Ayyar-Biddle, University of architectural works and the built – all of which are now searchable. Our Gruzman, Merewether and Bagot and the and reassuring environment for patients complexities encountered throughout the Canberra; Sam Allibon, University of environment, has also been established. intention is that all architectural journals founding partner of Peddle, Thorp & Walker, receiving specialist cancer treatment in the design process. A walk around the site revealed Newcastle; Lewis Chen, University of Individual architects’ works are also being published in New South Wales be collected James Peddle. Shoalhaven region of New South Wales. Hassell the fundamental relationship of the pool, and Technology, Sydney; and Estelle Rehayem, digitised. Fondation Le Corbusier in Paris is and scanned, documenting well over a century NSW is the first Chapter of the Institute worked closely with State Government’s Health its associated built forms, to the greater park, University of New South Wales – met in late progressively adding to its illustrated register of architectural work in this state. to digitise material relating to its own history Infrastructure NSW to design the centre, which with views into and out of the enclosure February for the annual boot camp, and I can of Le Corbusier’s built and unbuilt works. Selected indexes to architectural and the work of its members. At present, engages with its surrounding natural south carefully crafted from the larger landscape certainly say this year is shaping up to be Likewise the IAUV (the University of Venice) periodicals and architectural drawing access to this material is by appointment coast landscape to deliver a positive healing surrounding it. SONA’s best yet. in Italy has an impressive digital archive of collections have also been scanned; however, only. Research enquiries, including requests environment. While the centre is deliberately Please join the DARCH mailing list or visit In the first semester, our now infamous architectural projects and the work of what has been catalogued or indexed is only a for biographies of architects, should be designed to feel more casual than formal, the us on Facebook to keep informed about future design build collaboration with DARCH, One individual architects, such as Carlo Scarpa and small fraction of architectural material held by directed to the Heritage Officer Noni Boyd Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre delivers the tours – www.darch.com.au. to One, will be back in its fourth instalment. his collaborators. Scanning of notes and institutions across New South Wales. The via [email protected]. highest quality care through its advanced Entitled RE:CLAIM, the event will run on 2 drawings allows for an architect’s design indexes that are now searchable include the medical equipment and facilities. Amelia Holliday May. Like us on Facebook for more process to be made available to researchers. Architectural Archives project report Dr Noni Boyd DARCH Committee information: www.facebook.com/ The NSW Chapter’s Heritage Committee undertaken by the Chapter in the mid 1990s, NSW Chapter Heritage Officer DARCH onetooneevent/. and its succession of heritage officers have which located, and in some cases catalogued, NSW Country Division This will be the first year where been progressively compiling biographical surviving architectural drawing collections. A In February and March DARCH hosted its first membership sign-ups will be conducted via the material on New South Wales architects and number of these collections were then lodged guided project visits to North Bondi Surf Life Entries for the 2014 NSW Country Division SONA website only (no paper forms or cash the buildings they have designed. In 2013 the at the Mitchell Library. Transcripts of oral Saving Club and Prince Alfred Park Pool. The Architecture Awards open on 4 May and close payments). As usual, the annual offering will be Chapter received a generous grant from City history interviews with retired New South visits, which allowed behind-the-scenes access on 4 July. The June regional CPD seminar will free for first year undergraduate students and of Sydney that has enabled a substantial Wales architects who practised from the 1930s to successfully realised projects and the be held in Casuarina on Friday 13 June. For $85 for second to fifth years. Simply show your proportion of the Chapter’s varied archival onwards have also been included in the digital architects who delivered them, are part of a more information on the awards and all online receipt to your local representative and collection to be scanned. The project archive. series of architectural site tours to be held Country Division events go to the Country you will receive an exclusive SONA drawstring commenced by scanning the bound volumes Records produced by both the Institute throughout the year with the aim of giving Division section of NSW Chapter web page at merchandise pack. To invest in your future, go of Chapter minutes dating back to 1907 (the and the NSW Chapter, including annual groups of emerging architects up-close-and- www.architecture.com.au. to www.sona.com.au. earlier records of the fledgling Institute of reports, membership registers, practice notes personal experience of completed projects. I look forward to meeting you at a SONA Architects having been lodged with the and year books, have all been scanned. Camilla Block of Durbach Block Jaggers Newcastle Division event this year. Mitchell Library in the 1990s). The entire run Selected Chapter conference proceedings and hosted the first tour to the recently completed of the Chapter’s Architecture Bulletin (from RAIA publications, including the out-of-print North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. Described as Entries for the 2014 UrbanGrowth NSW Peter Nguyen 1944 onwards) has been scanned and is now architectural guide 444 Sydney Buildings and conceptually a pebble – “unshiny and Lower Hunter Urban Design Awards open on 1 National President SONA searchable; design historian Michael Bogle has Australian Outrage: The Decay of a Visual

4 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 5 2014 Newcastle opinion Gender equity: a little less Architecture Awards conversation, a little more action

For those of us frustrated by gender inequality 8. Educate the profession about the impact • Increase the number, quality and type of within our profession, or currently of gender stereotypes flexible work opportunities experiencing its maelstrom, 2013 saw a 9. Actively seek input on the needs of women • Reduce workplace discrimination and number of positive developments. The members subconscious bias against women Women, Work and Leadership project 10. Develop and coordinate specific programs • Promote gender equity as an improved continued to inspire through research,1 the to give effect to this Gender Equity Policy. business model. Parlour website, and events such as Transform2. From a policy perspective the “Invisible barriers can We are exploring a range of initiatives to Parlour guidelines to Equitable Practice were systematically strangle enact these goals. This includes feedback to 3 issued for comment in draft form ; and in women’s careers, manifesting policy and workplace guidelines, a mentoring December a major milestone was reached program, mechanisms for ‘best practice’ when the Australian Institute of Architects in an absence of women in workplace benchmarking, and a series of released its first Gender Equity Policy. leadership positions, significant workshops and talks on issues relevant to both The national policy acknowledges what attrition of women from the employers and employees. The list is many of us intuitively sense; that women profession, inequitable pay ambitious; it will take us some time, but continue to draw the short straw in the between genders, lower rates hopefully, through collective action, we will profession. This occurs through both overt see change. The Australian Institute of Architects Commercial Architecture Residential Architecture – New Houses discrimination and more subtle forms of of registration for women… announced the winners of its 2014 Newcastle the list goes on.” Architecture Awards on Thursday 6 March at gender bias. Invisible barriers can Merewether Surfhouse. Nine projects from 21 systematically strangle women’s careers, Callantha Brigham is an entries were recognised. On the 2014 jury manifesting in an absence of women in While the details are under construction, architect currently were: Peter Kemp (Chair and Principal at leadership positions, significant attrition of the principles are a solid start that will working for Kemp Consulting), Ramsey Awad (Senior women from the profession, inequitable pay contribute to a much wider charter of City Council. She is a Lecturer, School of Architecture and Built between genders, lower rates of registration change within the profession. The Institute coordinator of the NSW Environment, University of Newcastle), for women… the list goes on. is in an excellent position to support this on Gender Equity Taskforce. Robert Donaldson (Trustee, The Architecture The policy itself is a succinct two-page behalf of members and outside the internal Foundation), Alex Kibble (Director, Tanner document that outlines a framework for future politics of employer/employee relations. What Footnotes Award: Westrac Newcastle Service Centre & Award: New Residence: The Junction Kibble Denton Architects), Peter Johnson activities and foretells of positive is more, when seen in the context of the Training Institute (Tomago) Architect: EJE Architecture 1. Equity and Diversity in the Australian Architecture (retired award-winning architect) and Architect: EJE Architecture Image: Andy Warren (pictured above) interventions to come. It commits the National Gender Equity Committee (recently Profession: Women, Work and Leadership, http://www. EmAGN graduate Rebecca Boyle. Image: Steve Back (pictured above) Institute to both heighten its internal formed), future policy guidelines and various archiparlour.org/about/research/. Commendation: Willis House consciousness and to advocate more local chapter initiatives, it finally seems as 2. Transform, http://www.archiparlour.org/transform/. Architect: Killen + Doran Architects 3. Parlour Guides to Equitable Practice , http://www. vociferously on the gender equity agenda. At though this issue is gaining momentum. archiparlour.org/parlour-guides-call-for-feedback/. its essence are the following 10 principles: To focus and support this momentum Public Architecture Residential Architecture – Alts & Adds Small Project 1. Acknowledge the profession’s obligation locally, a group of us established a Gender Award: Birubi Point Surf Life Saving Club Award: MacMasters Beach House Award: Maxim Workplace to accommodate the diverse needs of the Equity Taskforce in New South Wales midway Architect: EJE Architecture Architect: Dianna Thomas Architect Architect: Space Design Architecture community through last year. Agi Sterling (Sterling Image: Alexander Mayes (main image) Image: Brigid Arnott (pictured below) Image: Edward Highton (pictured below) 2. Recognise and respond effectively to the Architects), Maryam Gusheh (University of diversity of members New South Wales), Natalie Lane-Rose (Bates 3. Incorporate provisions to ensure gender Smart), Monica Edwards (Cox Richardson), equitable outcomes in all new Institute Shaun Carter (Carter Williamson), David initiatives Tickle (Hassell), Tarsha Finney (University of 4. Communicate the value of women in Technology, Sydney) and myself have started leadership roles meeting on a monthly basis to formulate a 5. Promote equality of employment series of positive local interventions. Our arrangements aspirations are unashamedly high and focus 6. Support the development of alternative on the following objectives: Newcastle Museum Award: and flexible career pathways within the • Reduce the number of women who leave Architect: Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp Commendation: Hamilton House Commendation: The University of Newcastle profession the profession (FJMT) Architect: Austin McFarland Architects Library Courtyard Image: John Gollings (pictured above) Architect: CKDS Architecture 7. Develop cross-gender mentorships and • Increase the number of women in senior networks and leadership positions

6 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 7 NSW Government Architect editorial

My goal as Government Architect is to “… improvisation can offer us a bring to the State Government, to our perspective. Indeed, I find it useful to regard th Organised institutions, the capacity to think widely and improvisation as a metaphor for the social Conserving our 20 century heritage creatively, the very skills architecture has ordering of the boundless world. It is the freedom given me. In the book The Improvising Society: human variant of complexity in nature. …the The benefits of retaining and history to ask many questions of ourselves and heritage in the icons of the built environment. Social Order in a Boundless World, Hans improvising society also refers to new social adapting 20th century heritage of those who seek to erase the past. Why is so For others it is more a matter of observing the Boutellier describes ‘organised freedom’ as, forms, which at their core are about fine- little value placed on our recent heritage? How physical environment. At one level we look at For Peter Poulet, the “…improvisation, a combination of structure tuning. In both tightly structured and more need to be re-examined and can we adapt 20th century heritage buildings to how much of a building’s ‘surroundings’ need Government Architect’s Office and innovation. A successful improvisation is fluid compositions, arrangements and revalued by the profession, achieve sensible solutions that enhance new protecting beyond the immediate curtilage, at must become the conduit for possibly the highest form of human spontaneous play produce a kaleidoscopic government and the community, projects and allow these pieces of our culture another level context is the collection of organisation… it shows lesser and greater image of networks, clusters, and subcultures. says Louise Cox AO. to be available to future generations? How do things that makes a place ‘feel’ a particular enabling architecture and design degrees of success in both consistency and …improvising society reflects new we reach out to government and business alike way, including architecture, food and to create our future cities and coherence. And it is based on a continuous institutional relations.” 3 “Architecture withers into a meaningless formal and demonstrate that buildings can be kept in language.”2 I like this statement very much as communities. process of fine-tuning among all identities The NSW Government Architect’s Office game when it loses its echo of the timeless myths their extended context and given new life with it goes past looking at a building to the context within an organised context.”2 This is a of the future will exemplify design leadership and traditions of building. Instead of portraying good economic returns that benefit everyone? and to more social issues, a wholeness of “Conditions in our society have changed difficult process to grasp for institutions and be known for offering structured, newness, true architecture makes us aware of the After all, there are plenty of good examples of looking and feeling. decisively during recent decades. One now developed around certainty, clarity, innovative thinking and making creative entire history of building and it restructures our adaptive re-use celebrated every year in the What is heritage? What is culture? What is speaks of a network society, which is the boundaries and a linear methodology. linkages between people and ideas to better reading of the continuum of time. The perspective Institute’s awards program. What are our sustainability? Sustainability is heritage, and result of major processes such as However, this is not a difficult notion for those our built environment. We will use design to that is often disregarded today is that architecture current generation of politicians and business heritage is a great example of sustainability. globalisation, the rise of individualism, and of us from architecture or the creative fields. think clearly, to improvise, iterate and structures our understanding of the past just as leaders failing to understand? We have to find The retention of the original architect, if it is the dawn of the information age. It is almost The prospect of design processes and communicate. much as it suggests the future.”1 Juhani Pallasmaa another way. Do we drop the word ‘heritage’ possible, is an advantage for alterations and impossible to comprehend the consequences methods driving innovation and change is It seems our 20th century heritage and call it ‘new development’ to change extensions to the heritage building. The of these developments. Enormous tantalising and my goal is to establish a continues to be under threat from both the public understanding?! Think about this architect understands the thinking and the uncertainty goes hand-in-hand with strategically focused group in my office to Peter Poulet public and the private sector in Australia and proposition. philosophy behind the design and setting of embracing these new times.” 1 deliver these capabilities across the State NSW Government globally, leading those of us seeking to protect As Past President of the National Trust of the building and should be sympathetic to the The levels of complexity and the rapid, Government, and further improve outcomes Architect such an important part of our architectural Australia John Niland notes, “Some see original project in any new design. Sensitive > accelerating rates of change that we by developing partnerships with private sector experience in our lives are ever expanding providers and the universities. The ultimate and now unstoppable. With all this aim is to enhance architecture and the urban information, with all these opinions and realm by having people see value in engaging Footnotes influences come uncertainty, frustration and with architects and designers as creative even anger and rage. Our times are likely to thinkers. 1. Hans Boutellier. The Improvising Society: Social Order in a Boundless World, Eleven International Publishing, 2013, p. be known for being haphazard, disorderly, Good design is the cornerstone of 1 3. even chaotic. Our times struggle with developing healthy, liveable and prosperous 2. Hans Boutellier. The Improvising Society: Social Order in a identity, with big or grand ideas, and our communities, and so is important not just to Boundless World, Eleven International Publishing, 2013, p. 76. institutions are often tentative and reactive governments but to the whole community. 3. Hans Boutellier. The Improvising Society: Social Order in a in response. Many in our community yearn Good design is a matter of public interest. The Boundless World, Eleven International Publishing, 2013, for comforting ideas and leadership. strategic input from the new group will have a p. 165. Conversely, an optimistic view believes wide impact as we will engage across the State we are finding better ways of organising Government, the industry and the education ourselves and better ways of dealing with the sector. Our work will focus not only on shifting, complex and sometimes chaotic buildings, but on making good places for nature of today’s society. people; the making of communities. I believe that, as architects, we are well Understanding the scale of our ambition, suited to deal with this duality. We are we recognise the need to involve many other advantaged by our training in design people in the task, hence the need to think of methods, and our capacity to synthesise and the NSW Government Architect’s Office as integrate. Architects are naturally suited to ‘enablers’, as a group of people who facilitate making sense of a diverse and fluid the coming together of interesting people, environment and creatively achieving creative organisations and, importantly, ideas; outcomes. We have the capacity to use our a group of people who can span across ideas integrating, iterating and innovating skills to and organisations and be the catalyst for the meet not just architectural issues but the future. broader social agenda. At the same time, by This methodology requires structure yet being aware of the wider social context our permits freedom; this way of working suggests

practice is enriched and our work made an ability to ‘organise freedom’ and involve Plans are underway to bring the -designed Australian Pavilion for the Giardini della Biennale in Venice back to Australia.Image: Australia Council. relevant. many voices in the process.

8 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 9 adaptation can enhance the original and it can How do you carry out research for 20th disposal, so why do we find out too late what also add new parts as a separate building, in a century buildings? Where do you look for governments are doing? Can these questions th The fiscal advantage of a separate position, for example, Don Gazzard’s information? The checklist for 20 century have favourable answers and who is right Courtyard House in Hunters Hill (read more heritage research in this edition of and who is wrong? on page 19), or Hassell’s intervention to the Architecture Bulletin (page 25) can assist. Did It is fitting that this edition of Architecture heritage listing North Sydney Olympic Pool complex, which you know the NSW Heritage Council’s Fire Bulletin times with the introduction of the placed the new lap pool higher up the hill. It Access and Services Advisory Panel (FASAP) NSW Chapter’s Digital Archive, which has The financial benefits of heritage listing in New South Wales are many and varied. now seems that the restaurateur provides ways of interpreting the Building been supported by the City of Sydney with a Ronnie di Stasio has an idea for the Philip Code of Australia that have less impact than very generous grant enabling a substantial Hector Abrahams provides an overview of what’s on offer. Cox-designed Australian Pavilion constructed the Code itself on buildings if it is enforced proportion of the Chapter’s varied archival as a temporary building in the Giardini della without extra thought and understanding? collection to be scanned. This is a major digital The f ollowing is an outline of the major Public grants councils across the state. Larger city councils Biennale in Venice in 1988 to come back to Use it. resource for the Chapter and for heritage and economic allowances for work on heritage provide professional heritage staff. In the case Australia. It is proposed that it be used by the Social and cultural heritage issues must conversation in New South Wales more projects in New South Wales. The benefits More commonly known are several grant of smaller local councils in particular, this public, especially as a resource for education, also be considered not just economic issues broadly. I encourage all of you to explore the available differ depending on whether the schemes for heritage items. The most scheme provides free advice to owners of and to have a new life in the Australian bush of and architectural issues in order to put the archive. I am very excited by it. It is an building is listed on the State Heritage consistent and well run is the NSW Heritage heritage properties and their architects. Finally, di Stasio’s vineyard at Coldstream, Victoria.3 significance of the 20th century heritage invaluable resource for both members and the Register or a Local Environmental Plan Grants Major Works scheme. This annual the Heritage Act provides for a special kind of The importance of a very comprehensive building and its context into perspective New South Wales community. (LEP), and whether the property is listed as scheme applies only to items on the State consent that has proved to be most valuable for Conservation Management Plan (CMP) – with (Mary Knaggs explores this on pages 16-18). an individual building or simply located Heritage Register. Under the scheme, larger developments on complex sites; the principles rather than prescriptive clauses, For more on what financial benefits can be Louise Cox AO is a past National President of within a precinct (usually called a conservation projects of a minimum value of Minister for Heritage can enter into heritage including an excellent Statement of obtained for a heritage project from the Australian Institute of Architects, and a conservation area). about $45,000 can apply for grant funding on a agreements with land owners and developers, in Significance as guidance – can help with the government at all levels, see the piece on past NSW Chapter President, as well as being dollar for dollar basis. There is a high level of effect becoming the sole consent authority. proper understanding of the existing building page 11 by Hector Abrahams. the Immediate Past President of the Intrinsic value technical oversight required. Funding is also and the sensitive changes that can be made Susan Macdonald believes “it is the International Union of Architects (UIA). She available for conservation plans, Hector Abrahams has been working as an without destroying its integrity. For example values or the cultural significance of the was Chair of the Australian Institute of For many buildings that are listed for their interpretation studies and emergency matters. architect for over 26 years and established the CMP for the and the heritage item as defined by the Burra Charter Architects National Heritage Committee from architectural importance, the value that is Some local government authorities run grant Hector Abrahams Architects in October 2012 20th and 21st century interventions to the that makes the place worthy of conservation. 2002 to 2008. She was a member of UNESCO’s recognised in the listing is reflected in the schemes, usually to assist with external works after working as a partner with Clive Lucas Louvre Museum in Paris which have sustained These values can be aesthetic, historic, Historic Urban Landscape working party from financial worth of the property. In 2013 the to the public face of heritage items. Federal Stapleton & Partners in Sydney. the importance of the history of the place in scientific, social, or spiritual for past, present 2006. The UNESCO Recommendation on the commissioned Government grant schemes operate from time the new interpretations. or future generations… The architect’s role is Historic Urban Landscape was finally adopted Deloitte Australia to calculate the value of the to time for items deemed to be of national Footnotes

through the creative process: to reveal those in Paris on 10 November 2011. Opera House to Australia. The expert study significance. 1. Allocating HSF, City of Sydney, 2014, values, to interpret them and to sustain the found the icon to be worth a total figure of http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/development/ “The importance of a application-guide/heritage-conservation/heritage-floor- place into the future – to create new layers, Footnotes $4.6 billion. This may be an example of the Other support space-scheme/allocating-hfs. very comprehensive new life, and, in some cases, achieve the current trend to reduce everything to figures 1. Juhani Pallasmaa in Newness, Tradition and Identity conservation addition of a new level of significance to the – Existential Meaning in Architecture given as a keynote on a balance sheet, but that the study could Land tax relief is available for items on the place.”4 paper to the 12th International Docomomo Conference, even be done shows that cultural value is and State Heritage Register. The Heritage Council management plan, Espoo, Finland, August 2012. Twentieth century design can also 2. John Niland AC, Past President of the National Trust of can be reflected in financial value. of NSW has a scheme to provide support for can help with the proper provide many lessons for contemporary Australia (NSW). heritage advisers who operate within local architectural practice. Loss of understanding 3. Norman Day. Venice to the Valley, ArchitectureAU, Incentive schemes 25 March 2014. understanding of the of the original building techniques, 4. Susan Macdonald in The Real Thing: Authenticity, Heritage existing building and the environmental factors of passive buildings Significance & Conservation from TAKE 3 The Double For heritage items in local government areas sensitive changes that (siting, using passive cooling, shading), Dimension: Heritage & Innovation, August 2004, p. 24. there are two schemes that offer embodied energy and costings; all of these opportunities, but only if the project is listed. can be made without past learnings and knowledge can and should All local planning schemes provide destroying its integrity”. influence the future (see Michael Zanardo’s conservation incentives under section 5.10 feature on pages 12-15 and Margi Fallon and (10) in their LEP. Uses outside the zoning, Noel Thomson’s case studies on pages 20–21). relaxation of parking and developer While our 20th century heritage seems to contributions, for example, are able to be be easily cast aside, other sections of our negotiated under this provision. In the City architectural history are also not immune. In of Sydney’s CBD, heritage-listed buildings the face of the sale by the State Government can participate in a scheme to transfer the of the Lands Department and Education floor space they cannot develop to other Department buildings on Bridge Street, sites. The scheme has been in operation for Sydney, Peter Webber examines the ethical more than 20 years. In a remarkable example issues of the disposal of such public places of public transparency, a full history of the (pages 22–24). What legacy does this leave scheme’s operation is available on the City of for future generations? Will they understand Sydney website.1 why? Public debate may elicit alternatives to

10 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 11 effectively stacked mirrored single-storey terrace houses two high, creating blocks of What early workers’ housing in attached four-pack apartments that were then repeated 18 times along the street. The narrow Sydney can teach us. building footprint of each of the blocks allowed the project to step nimbly with the steep man-made topography. Because the This year, the City of Sydney’s building technologies, the likes of which had commerce and trade. The first instances of dwelling type was designed in tandem with the inaugural workers’ housing not been seen before in Australia. These terrace housing had appeared in areas like block and street layout, the flat buildings had a project, the Strickland Buildings projects transformed existing housing types to Millers Point and The Rocks in this period and remarkably close fit with their subdivision, provide site specific solutions to the problems housing construction only continued to achieving a high density given their height.2 in Chippendale, turns 100 years of urban housing, accommodating larger intensify around areas of industry throughout Each dwelling had excellent address with old. With such projects in populations and delivering more shared the 19th century. Towards 1900, direct access to the street from a verandah or danger of being seen as amenity than the standardised Georgian accommodation for the working class in the stair and servicing to the rear lane via a gate or outmoded and past their use-by townhouse or the Victorian terrace house inner city had become squalid and garbage chute. All units had private courtyards date, Michael Zanardo explores types they replaced. overcrowded. Middle-class reformers began to at the ground level or on the rooftop, and a Understanding the evolution of building agitate for slum clearances. playground as the centrepiece of the layout the design of this project, and types of a certain place over a period of time, The crisis of the bubonic plague outbreak provided additional communal amenity. The two other experimental housing as if the city were an ‘urban laboratory’ where of 1900 spurred the State Government into project borrowed state-of-the-art technology blocks, to reveal the aspects of projects can be scientifically observed and action. Legislation was passed in 1901 to from the neighbouring wharf projects their design that can positively studied, is not a new concept.1 Lessons learnt enable the resumption of land and the Sydney employing precast concrete slabs for floor 1. inform the design of from past projects, the experiments both Harbour Trust was established to undertake construction. successful and failed, aid us in the design of reconstruction. The 1908–09 Royal contemporary housing. future projects. The ability to experience Commission for the Improvement of the City Gloucester Street these projects in the flesh – by seeing them, of Sydney and its Suburbs recommended that Frequently we do not recognise the intrinsic touching them, walking around them and the best location to build new workers’ In 1912, the Department of Public Works qualities of the building stock we have in our spending time in them – can only assist us to housing would be at the outskirts of the city, designed a pair of attached four-storey city. We often look elsewhere, outwards appreciate their attributes. and that they should be designed as buildings for a very steep infill site in rather than inwards, for the architectural Looking closely at the design of Sydney’s freestanding homes, however sustained Gloucester Street, The Rocks. The plans for models that will inspire our designs; early examples of publicly sponsored urban resistance by the waterside workers in Millers these resemble two-storey terrace houses however, these precedents, be they from housing shows us the problems that housing Point led to a share of housing being developed stacked four wide and two high, giving a total another time, or place, or culture (or all design sought to deal with over a century ago adjacent to the wharves. The very first housing of eight dwellings per building (16 per three), are usually somewhat divorced from are not dissimilar to those of today. The design projects by the NSW Government Architect, attached pair). One atypical dwelling, splayed the particularities of the context we are of these projects were concerned with such as the Windmill Street redevelopment in in plan, resolved the geometry of the site at the working in. In the case of housing design in delivering greater density to sites within Millers Point, were conceived of as standard bend in the street: the lower dwellings were Sydney, we have a rich and continuous existing urban areas, improving the quality of terrace houses albeit with superior entered in the standard manner from the tradition of relevant local housing exemplars light and air to each of the dwellings, and construction methods, more generous footpath level, going down a floor internally on which we could draw, however, these contributing positively to making the dimensions and improved sanitation, and through to small courtyards overlooking projects remain both under-researched and streetscape and defining the broader public however, the projects that followed began to the rear lane; the upper dwellings were undervalued given their historical domain. All of these are familiar and pertinent explore newer models with higher densities. entered by climbing a flight of external stairs significance. themes to modern practitioners. and traversing an open gallery on the west side At the time of their construction, the The High Street Flats of the building and then going up internally early workers’ housing blocks erected by the Turn of the century transformations through to private rooftop balconies. This NSW State Government, and subsequently The High Street Flats project in Millers Point novel gallery may be the earliest example in 2. the Sydney Municipal Council, were Housing density first began to increase in of 1910, attributed to Sydney Harbour Trust Sydney of a ‘street in the sky’ arrangement, an 1. The 1910 High Street Flats in Millers Point. Image: Michael Zanardo. 2. The 1912 Gloucester Street buildings in The Rocks. considered to be highly experimental earnest in Sydney during the 1830s and 40s Engineer-in-Chief Henry Deane Walsh, was a Image: Michael Zanardo. idea that gained popularity as a mode of building typologies employing innovative correlating with the rapid expansion of clever variation on the terrace house type that circulation in the 1960s. The roof of the gallery > LESSONS FROM THE PAST 12 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 13 appears as a tall verandah element and works to pick up the predominant parapet and pitched roof heights within the streetscape. The upper storey stands proud of the base and echoes the upper floor of the Australian Hotel located opposite.

The Strickland Buildings

The Sydney Municipal Council was keen to follow in the State Government’s footsteps. After much petitioning, they were granted resumption powers in 1905 and permission to build workers’ housing came later with the 3. Part of the original plan for the High Street Flats, Millers Point. Image: NSW State Records Office.4. The Cleveland 1912 amendment to the Sydney Corporation Street side of the 1914 Strickland Buildings in Chippendale. Act. Council built in the poor Labor- Image: Michael Zanardo. 3. controlled wards of the city but, unlike the Sydney Harbour Trust or the Department of Public Works, it broke with the idea of and are at hand to provide sage insight into the Millers Point under threat Footnotes intensification through traditional building design of housing in Sydney today. The High The urban renewal of Millers Point and 1. P.J. Cantrill and P. Thalis, ‘An Urban Laboratory’, Form types and instead opted for true apartment Street Flats, Gloucester Street, and the Technique Content, Department of Architecture University The Rocks post 1900 produced public building typologies. Strickland Buildings prove to us in bricks and of Sydney, Issue 2, 1996, p. 116-131. housing unequalled in Australia; 2. The density of the High Street Flats calculated by the Their first project was the Strickland mortar that density and amenity need not be well-designed projects that remain NSW Standard Instrument LEP definition is 1.28:1. M. Buildings in 1914 designed by the City mutually exclusive, and they serve as comparable with leading international Zanardo, ‘Future Affordable Housing Typologies in Sydney: Learning from Local Precedent’, in B. Randolph Architect Robert Hargreave Brodrick. Located important touchstones for the positive role examples of municipal housing. The et al (eds.) Refereed Papers Presented at the 4th Australasian on a resumed long north–south block in that denser forms of housing can play in proposed sell-off of individual leases on a Housing Researchers Conference, Sydney, 2009. Chippendale, this project is actually nine defining and activating the public domain. long-term basis has already begun to 3. J. Gregory and J. Campbell, New South Wales Public Housing Design: A Short History, NSW Department of three-storey buildings of three different plan Embodied within these projects are the degrade the architectural character of Housing, Liverpool, July 1996, p. 14. types running alternately along and across the tactics for dealing with our ever-present Millers Point, as tenants with no interest site, attached at light wells. Each building topography, providing a veritable catalogue in the architectural character of their contains between six and 12 units, with a of strategies for arranging apartment and purchase have sought inappropriate maximum of four units per floor, comprising a circulation types. This is all invaluable alterations and non-traditional colour total of 71 apartments of many different knowledge to practising architects and it is schemes. The Rocks and Millers Point configurations. Four shops at each end of the specific to the city we work in. It is important were listed in their entirety on the block address the busiest street frontages and that we take care of these buildings, not only Register of the National Estate for their provide a mix of uses. Although the building so future generations can see where we have building stock and overall townscape, 4. was reputed to be the densest housing project been, but also that they may guide future which recognised the unique in Sydney at the time of its completion3, architects to where they are going. combination of Georgian townhouses individually each building can be seen as and cottages, Victorian terraces and the later Federation-style workers’ housing. modest in size and scale. The long perimeter Michael Zanardo is a registered architect, Examples of early workers housing Nowhere else in Australia can the wall provides plentiful opportunity for urban designer and the principal of Studio increase in housing density from windows to admit light and air, and the Zanardo. His practice specialises in the design in Sydney provide us with more individual cottages to townhouses and topographical cross section is solved through of denser forms of housing, particularly social terraces and then flats be traced in the the inclusion of generous entry stoops on the and affordable housing. He teaches design in than just a window to history. surviving building stock. The ill- western elevation. The landscaped areas the Masters of Architecture program at the considered sell-off by the State facing the street work to provide relief They are enduring, living, working where he is currently Government of the purpose-designed between the robust building massing, while undertaking a doctorate investigating public housing will impact not only on the communal open space can be found on the buildings that have withstood the pre-World War II workers’ housing in Sydney. longstanding use of the place as public roof areas, complete with laundry blocks and Michael is an outspoken and passionate housing, but will also impact on the drying courts. test of time and are at hand to advocate for improving residential design. architectural character of this unique part of Sydney. Density defining the public domain provide sage insight into the design Author’s note: I acknowledge the the work and assistance of NSW Dr Noni Boyd Examples of early workers’ housing in Sydney Chapter Heritage Officer Noni Boyd in the research NSW Heritage Officer and development of this article. provide us with more than just a window to of housing in Sydney today. history. They are enduring, living, working buildings that have withstood the test of time

14 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 15 “The peeling back of The poetic in adaptation structures to reveal the Adapting heritage sites for the demands of contemporary use can be challenging; Mary Knaggs ‘time past’ is countered explores this further in relation to the transformation of some popular Sydney places. by the addition of the new structures making Australia is recognised internationally for the for celebration. People will add new layers to reality Fraser found that: “The problem (of outstanding philosophy of heritage practice build ‘time future’.”2 adapting the wharf) was one of the most a clear statement that is the Burra Charter1. It’s no coincidence complex and difficult problems I have ever about ‘time present’.” that Australian designers are increasingly The Wharf Theatres tackled, and required 12 months of intense respected on the world stage for their adaptive design and documentation teamwork to re-use of places; an approach that respects and Interviewed by Sharon Fraser in 19873, Vivian achieve this, hopefully simple, result… I think it celebrates heritage values. The Burra Charter Fraser said of his Sydney Theatre Company is a success if people think it is a simple job… I encourages a contemporary practitioner to project at Walsh Bay: “You have to know the am quite happy to have that sort of insult.” thoroughly understand heritage values and to truth about an old building before you put be very clear in their design as to what is new pencil to paper… I like to give insights into the Past informing future and what is not. way the building works.” He continued, “Existing buildings lead the designer – rather Another challenge for architects working in the Paddington Reservoir Gardens than the reverse – like the linearity of the heritage site adaptation area is the concept of Wharf Theatres... under any other design as interpretation; how to deal with the Sometimes sites – particularly ruined sites – circumstances I would not have had the contradictions found between the celebration speak with immediacy to the design team. audacity to have a public entrance 200 metres of heritage value and the sustainable future of a When Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG) was first long… And obviously I wanted people to know place. When considering the communication commissioned to convert Paddington they were on a wharf.” When constructed, of heritage value, Richard Johnson of Johnson Reservoir Gardens into an urban park, the Fraser’s Wharf Theatre and his Sydney Dance Pilton Walker believes his best heritage general expectation was that the reservoir Company projects received criticism from projects have in fact been his exhibition would be sealed off and a brand-new park built some in the architectural community, designs. Johnson was involved early in his on top. Julie McKenzie from TZG recalls how particularly in regard to their simplicity. In career in the design of the Australian pavilions > the project team was captivated by the possibilities of revealing the 19th century structure as a ruin; an artefact through which members of the public could wander, immersed in the poetic heritage, the dramatic spaces and play of light. The concept for the contemporary overlay was inspired by the original artefact. The imperative was to celebrate the engineering structure and materials at Paddington Reservoir Gardens, and this was greatly assisted by access to the original drawings and specifications. Adaptation has a lot to do with evolution and sustainability, memory and vision. In awarding the 2010 Australian Medal for Landscape Architecture to Reservoir Gardens, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture jury found: “This is a public ‘garden’ that has the expression, layering of meaning and timeless quality of any poem by Judith Wright or T.S. Eliot. The peeling back of structures to reveal the ‘time past’ is countered by the addition of the new structures making a clear statement about ‘time present’. Together they establish a place 1. that invites people to include the gardens in 1. The Wharf Theatre, Walsh Bay captured by in 1984. Image: NSW Chapter Digital Archive. 2. Paddington their lives; a space to chat with friends, an Reservoir Gardens by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. Image: Eric Sierens. intriguing setting for a quiet city stroll, a venue

2. 16 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 17 with the Herbert family living there until its sale to new owners in 2002. A house in The gross enclosed area of this three- bedroom house was only 120 square metres – Hunters Hill small by today’s standards. The new owners wanted more space but their initial plans for Don Gazzard reflects on the adding this extra space would have totally destroyed the design concept. Fortunately an 2. building and subsequent enlightened town planner at Hunters Hill 1. The plan showing the adaptation to Courtyard House. adaptation of his first project: Council refused to accept their proposal and Image: Don Gazzard. 2. Courtyard House as it stood in 1961. Image: David Moore. Courtyard House, winner of the suggested the owners should retain the first Wilkinson Award for original architect instead. Would there were more planners like this! A slightly improved clinker-brick version Residential Architecture in New Consequently I designed a 90 square of this house was later built in the Kingsdene 3. courtesy of JPW. Image: John Gollings. 3. South Wales. metre extension that was built on the rear of Estate at Carlingford, which my office also the site. The roof of the extension was the planned. An early sketch showed how houses My first completed building was the same height as that of the existing building so with this plan could be joined together to traditional starting point for most architects, a the house was extended seamlessly at the rear reduce frontages and increase densities. and exhibitions at the International Expos of by technology. We need to find the embodied that an understanding of urban and small house for my in-laws who had a standard of the site using the same external materials. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to 1974 and 1975. He found the best way to poetic energy of places. architectural history is enabling; in the suburban block, two kids and a tight budget. The extension cannot be seen from the street do this. communicate the significance of Australia’s introduction to the book Public Sydney: Working on postwar housing in London and the original appearance of the house from industry, art and craft was to understand both The fabric of place Drawing The City, he states: “Fascination has for four years had rammed home the the pavement is unchanged. The only minor Don Gazzard is a Life Fellow of the Australian the historical and the contemporary context. inspired investigation and inquiry, inculcating understanding that if costs were to be kept changes made to the original plan were the Institute of Architects. For more on his work More recently Johnson has designed award- Conservation Plans for heritage sites, which a deeper knowledge and critical perspective on down there could be no fancy construction or removal of the corridor and bathroom so that see Sydneysider: An Optimistic Life in winning exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New are based on the Burra Charter Process, can be making the city and its constituent elements, detailing, that what builders were familiar with the two smaller bedrooms and the kitchen Architecture (Watermark Press 2006) or go to South Wales. For these projects Johnson has invaluable, mainly for the history and analysis and a questioning of political choices, their was always the cheapest option. Ordinary could be enlarged. www.dongazzard.com. had to grapple with how to communicate the of the place. Jones urges that we understand implementation and underlying values. suburban house construction seemed to me to history of objects to a wide community. He the basic concept of the original designer and Sometimes such intense contemplation be a sort of vernacular – tile roofs, brick walls does this by taking them on a journey of maker. She says, “the best Conservation Plans nurtures an abiding love of the city”.4 and timber floors – and this was clearly the thought-provoking and life-affirming discovery include diagrams analysing the spatial and way to contain costs. Only the interior without “beating them over the head with fabric concepts – diagrams of why a place is and Mary Knaggs is currently Senior Heritage planning and external appearance needed to historical fact”. Johnson says, “History is not how it is, the composition of solids and voids Architect at the NSW Government Architect’s be changed. an end in itself; it is a means by which to – not the plan only.” Office. She previously had her own practice as The street frontage faced west so the create greater understanding and more For most adaptive re-use projects, a a heritage architect in Tasmania. This article is house was planned around a courtyard to relevant design.” celebration of traditional material and craft is based on a paper given by Knaggs at the enable north sun to penetrate the living room critical. To do this we need to retain expertise Australia ICOMOS National Conference in from the side. The courtyard was an extension Sustainability in traditional building crafts and techniques. Canberra in October 2013. The conference of the living room, and walled so it was private Jones also acknowledges the inspiration of theme was Creative Imaginings: How can from the street and blocked out western sun. When working on a heritage re-use site, a traditional fabric in its ability to “convey a heritage and creative practice be combined to The roofs sloped inwards and there were no discussion regarding the connection between sense of humanity and continuance”. For explore the poetics of place and memory?. Knaggs gutters, the rainwater being drained from the the adaptation of existing buildings and Johnson, the facade of the Museum of Sydney interviewed four architects working in creative courtyard. The roof rafters were exposed sustainability is inevitable. There are the is homage to the use of sandstone in the adaptation to prepare her paper. internally and the sloping shape of the roof obvious environmental sustainability issues building of the city of Sydney and was inspired gave the house a feeling of spaciousness. of embodied energy in existing fabric, and the by the knowledge in traditional stonemasonry Footnotes Windows were placed to encourage natural economic sustainability of using existing of NSW Public Works stonemason, George 1. The Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter 2013, cross ventilation. The materials were simple: http://australia.icomos.org/publications/charters/. structures and services, however, Diane Proudman. Johnson has since been to most of white painted common brickwork, polished 2. Landscape Architecture Australia, November 2010, Issue Jones from PTW points to the inherent the major quarries in Australia and discussed 128, http://architectureau.com/articles/paddington- timber floors and timber doors and windows flexibility of many older buildings to adapt to the qualities of each with the quarry master. reservoir-gardens-aila/. with a natural finish. contemporary demands. For example James He may choose the stone “but the stone comes 3. Sharon Fraser, Fraser on Fraser, University of New South The straightforward plan and cross section Wales undergraduate architectural project, 1987. Barnett and ’s to life in the hands of a good stonemason”. were determined by the position of the sun 4. Philip Thalis and Peter John Cantrill. Public Sydney: courthouses often accommodate the A criticism of much of the current heritage Drawing The City, Thames and Hudson, 2013. and the way the house fitted into its suburban changing needs of our justice system without documentation and most heritage legislation streetscape. What was different, however, was significant loss of heritage value. Johnson is that it concentrates too much on the its use of elements like roofing tiles that were believes we need a new approach to the negative – what you shouldn’t do – rather than considered ‘unmodern’ by most architects at creation of sustainable places; one that starts what you could do. Philip Thalis from Hills the time. with society, heritage and the evolution of Thalis believes heritage documents should The house was awarded the first Wilkinson change, not just with sustainability achieved look forward in a positive way. Thalis found Award for Residential Architecture in 1961, 1.

18 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 19 A tale of two adaptations

Margi Fallon and Noel Thomson oak wall panelling, handpainted wallpapers, “The challenges of maintaining the original finishes in all the discuss the adaptive re-use of two linoleums, gas light holders, bronze fittings rooms on the other side. One panel of the and latches on mirrored wardrobe doors and adapting and restoring original wallpaper in the hall was preserved sites in country New South Wales. casement windows. this cottage lay in the behind a wall of glazing. The handpainted The challenges of adapting and restoring wallpaper has been protected by the Heatherbrae Cottage, Lawson this cottage lay in the preservation of the preservation of the placement of a perspex screen to chair rail delicate interiors after years of water ingress delicate interiors after height to prevent touching and bumping of Hidden away for years behind a heavily and minor vandalism to the building. The the walls. Significant linoleums were retained vegetated garden, the Heatherbrae Cottage cottage has had the good fortune of only years of water ingress in situ under the new carpets, and custom- became prominent in the new Lawson town having three owners over its 100 year life. and minor vandalism to made flyscreens were made to enable the 3. centre after the completion of the highway The internal walls and ceiling were timber retention of window opening mechanisms 1. The restored verandah of Heatherbrae Cottage. Image: Nathan Fallon. 2. The cottage’s original wallpaper is preserved behind the building.” perspex. Image: Nathan Fallon. 3. The interior of one of the Waterstreet Apartments leading to the restored balcony of the former widening works through the township. The battened and lined with 4 millimetre paper and latches. Commercial Hotel. Image: Noel Thomson. 1914 cottage had been left vacant for a number that was treated variously with wallpaper The conversion of the cottage for use as of years and had been subject to water damage finishes, integral faux-oak finishes, or plain office space required the provision of and vandalism. The cottage was purchased by painted finishes. Research at the Historic accessibility, both within the building and Commercial Hotel, Albury recognise the relationship between the the Blue Mountains City Council in 2008 for Houses Trust (now Sydney Living Museums) from the adjacent car park through the principal rooms and install up-to-date services use by Connect Child and Family Services and library provided a treasure trove of 1911–14 significant garden. These were contained The former Commercial Hotel in Smollett without affecting significant fabric. Another The Possum Toy Library, who have been using product catalogues that featured the within the kitchen, bathroom and laundry Street, Albury, listed on the State Heritage challenge was the unsafe verandah, however, it since September 2013. fireplaces and the paper oak panelling areas, which had already been altered by the Register, closed its doors in 2007 after over with the assistance of a grant from the Heatherbrae was the home of William and product ‘Amiwud’1 used at Heatherbrae. The previous owners of the cottage. Improved 100 years of trading. The building was Heritage Council of NSW, along with Rebecca Staples, shop owners and prominent Amiwud product stamp was found on the external accessibility was achieved by the use purchased in 2009 with the idea to convert the historical research and the study of a 1910 residents in the early township of Lawson. Built rear of the faux oak panelled sections. of light framed and removable structures. The hotel and its accommodation quarters to an photograph, reconstruction was undertaken in 1914, the cottage is a highly intact example of In order to access the structure so that works were carried out by the Blue Mountains apartment building (Waterstreet Apartments) and missing elements replaced to return it to a timber federation bungalow, featuring strengthening work could occur, all the paper City Council. which was completed early this year. an earlier known state. deep-hipped and timber-lined verandahs, built linings were replaced on the ceilings and in The two-storey hotel was built in 1885 at A statement of heritage impact was of Californian redwood. The merchant the main hall of the building. This enabled Margi Fallon the east end of the town due to its proximity to prepared for the adaptation of the building profession of the original owners was reflected access to one side of the central walls to Integrated Design Associates the newly established Sydney to Melbourne that resulted in the approval of nine in every detail of the exterior and interior of the provide for servicing and to strengthen the railway line and the recently completed Albury apartments within the original hotel footprint house, which featured catalogue fireplaces, faux wall framing and bracing of the building while 2. Railway Station at the end of Smollett Street. and the infilling of the central circulation area. The original hotel was designed by Albury Changes were made with the removal of some architects Gordon & Gordon, with Louis walls where small hotel rooms needed to be Harrison, a prominent local architect, enlarged to suit the requirements of the new designing the 1920 extensions – a bar, parlour apartments. The insertion of new work and two-storey accommodation wing – as well between the two rear accommodation wings as internal alterations to the existing united the building and allowed the new units Commercial Hotel. With the extensions to achieve natural light from both the east and finalised, the hotel consisted of a main bar, west sides. Private open spaces were provided parlour, lounge, dining room, kitchen, toilets through individual entry courtyards and and bathrooms, stores, laundry, 22 bedrooms access to balconies at the first floor. The new and rear garage for five cars. The adaptation balcony verandahs were located on the now houses nine apartments – consisting of western side of the building and provide one one-bed apartment, five two-bed shelter to the apartment entry and protection apartments and three three-bed apartments from the western sun. – each with a garage in the new building at the rear of the property. Noel Thomson The challenge in adapting this heritage Noel Thomson Architecture building to its new use as apartments was to conserve its heritage values. The aim was to Footnotes minimise changes to the original structure as 1. “Amiwud – The Ideal Finish for Walls and Ceilings”, much as possible and provide new advertisement in Building and Real Estate Magazine, Volume 13, Number 78, February 1914. Original magazine accommodation that was sympathetic to the located at the Sydney Living Museums Library. building’s history as a hotel. The division of 1. the building into apartments needed to

20 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 21 The 1892 Department of Lands Building on the corner of Bridge and Loftus Streets, Sydney. Image: Peter Webber.

THE ICONIC Ethical issues in the ‘divestment’ of precious public property. Emeritus Professor and former Agius reported the concern of the Institute in Building has been comprehensively his message in the Summer 2014 edition of documented, first by Morton Herman, later by NSW Government Architect Architecture Bulletin and shared the somewhat Peter Bridges and Don McDonald in their work Peter Webber examines the sale intriguing assurance he had been given by on the remarkable Colonial Architect James DEPARTMENT OF Andrew Constance , the NSW Minister for Barnet, the National Trust (NSW), and of one of New South Wales most historic buildings. Finance and Services, that “Heritage recently the Seniors Group of the Institution conservation and maintenance will… be of Surveyors NSW. The foundation stone for Lining the southern side of Bridge Street in separated from leasing issues”.3 the new building was laid by the then Minister Sydney are three remarkable 19th and early 20th It has not been an issue since the for Lands, Thomas Garrett, on 7 October 1876 LANDS BUILDING century sandstone buildings, designed announcement that the fabric of the buildings and construction commenced in 1877, but by respectively for the Office of the Chief would be retained and conserved, and that 1888 only the north-west section was Secretary and later the Department of Public new owner(s) would be required to maintain completed, with a contemporary reporter Works, the Education Department, and the them in good condition as part of any contract complaining that “an extraordinary time has Department of Lands. All have been of sale. The NSW Department of Finance and elapsed without anything being done to continuously occupied by public authorities Services advised the Institution of Surveyors complete the work”. 6 However, a most serving the needs of the state, and for much of NSW that the Lands Department Building is impressive structure was emerging, with three that time they also housed the offices of the on the major state heritage registers and is highly decorative Italian Renaissance-style state ministers responsible for these areas. All heritage protected and that its heritage “…will storeys set upon a sturdy base, all faced with of the buildings are of exceptional cultural not be affected by the divestment of the warm sandstone from the nearby quarries in importance, and, as a group, are considered by properties. As part of the divestment process, Pyrmont. In scale and character it is similar the National Trust to be of ‘the highest a Conservation Management Plan is being and complementary to the earlier Office of the heritage significance’. Of the three, the finalised for this asset to ensure the potential Colonial Secretary at the top of Bridge Street Department of Lands Building is arguably the new owners have a clear plan to manage the “…with arched window and verandah openings most impressive, with the National Trust heritage aspects of this property”.4 The and niches for statuary, some of which remain commenting that it is “…one of the most Conservation Management Plan is being unoccupied”.7 The builder was the influential and major public buildings ever prepared by the Government Architect; it has entrepreneurial John Young, who trained as an established during the mid-19th century in been proposed that future uses would be architect but found building work more Australia’s colonial history”.1 Since its restricted to ‘tourism’. While this assurance is profitable. With ingenuity he introduced completion in 1892 it has housed the of some comfort, it does not address the vaulting at lower levels made from coke government department responsible for critical issue that the heritage of such a concrete spanning between iron joists and the managing the organisation, surveying and building involves not only its physical then novel concrete slabs. By 1892 the second subdivision of land in the entire state, and, structure, viewed as an ‘asset’ which can be stage was finally completed and surmounted until 2000, has been occupied by 19 successive divested, but also equally its social and cultural by both an impressive ‘onion’ dome and the New South Wales surveyor generals. heritage, and the implications if these are no spectacular clock tower. longer associated with the building. From Many of the interiors are significant: Heritage up for sale press reports it appears that there is unlikely marble-tiled corridors, fascinating staircases, to be a shortage of ‘interest’ in taking over the splendid stately rooms and memorable spaces In July 2013 the State Government announced, properties. Will Deague, Chief Executive of enclosed below the rooftop structures, none without open consultation, that it proposed to the Asian Pacific Group, whose company more important than the original Plan Room, offer the buildings for sale or lease to the controls several boutique hotels, has been which is located at the very centre of the private sector. There remains deep concern quoted in a press report as saying that the building with a domed skylight to use as much about the loss of such precious public Department of Education and Department of natural light as possible for working on and property, not least among those who have had Lands sites offered “one of the greatest sites to viewing plans. a long association with the buildings, in come up in Sydney for a hotel”.5 While much of its context has changed, particular the various groups with a strong and many nearby buildings have been interest in the professional disciplines Fabric, context and culture demolished, the Department of Lands involved. In the case of the Department of Building remains a much-loved icon in this Lands, the Institution of Surveyors NSW We are fortunate that the Department of historic part of the city. It complements the (ISNSW) has been a strong advocate against Lands Building survived the postwar boom Department of Education and the Office of the its ‘privatisation’, arguing in a letter to the when so many superb but little valued Colonial Secretary public buildings to the east, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell that this would Victorian era buildings were demolished, not and with its sandstone facades and be short-sighted and would mean its “…loss least the Royal Exchange Building, on the comfortable pedestrian scale, provides a sense forever, as a public treasure, to future corner immediately opposite in . of continuity along the southern side of Bridge generations”.2 NSW Chapter President Joe The heritage of the Department of Lands Street and an urbane streetscape. Its northern >

22 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 23 Public versus private Twentieth century Q3: Who designed it and what was the Q7. Did the design include design intention? technological innovations? By contrast the proposal to sell the heritage: a research Sources: Sources: Department of Lands Building raises more checklist • Newspaper articles (see Q1). • Technical journals and papers. difficult challenges in reconciling public and • Architectural magazines (see Q5). • Selected industry periodicals held by the private interests, and providing both public To assist those researching • Selected oral history transcripts & lists of NSW Chapter, including Building Ideas and and private access. For it to be converted to an 20th century buildings to develop NSW architects’ works (AIA Digital Archive). Constructional Review. 2. The State Survey Baseline on the up-market hotel, major intervention in • Past projects are included on a number of Overseas architectural journals are held in the ground floor of the Department of a clear architectural picture of Lands Building. Image: Noni Boyd. relation to the internal fabric would be NSW architect’s websites, for instance State Library and university libraries. Start by 2. essential to accommodate facilities such as a their subject, NSW Chapter Peter Muller. identifying the date of innovation generally and commercial kitchen, ensuite toilets to all Heritage Officer Noni Boyd then work out when it appeared in journals and facade sensitively frames and visually (NSW) released its own policy statement bedrooms, and full air conditioning with shares a list of questions to tease Q4: Do the original plans survive? buildings in NSW. Considerable technical ‘contains’ the southern side of Macquarie that urges the retention of public assets associated ducts and plant room; changes that Sources: innovation occurred in buildings erected by Place, one of the city’s most precious small when it is in the public interest, particularly would be expensive to install, inappropriate in out the relevant information, • Various local councils. Government agencies in New South Wales, which public spaces. Its clock tower is an when the following apply: “The place is, or heritage terms, and difficult and expensive to and provides the leads needed • Courtesy drawings of public buildings held by were not subject to control by building inspectors. orientation ‘marker’ that is prominent from may be required for public use… and the reverse. It appears that there is so much of the to track the answers down. the City of Sydney (from 1927 onwards), see the streets around, and is still just visible heritage significance of the heritage asset is building fabric that should not be altered that Series 968 Government Building Plans. Q8: Was the building built as designed? when approaching Circular Quay from the inextricably linked with its use and it would be very difficult or impossible to Q1: When was the building erected? • Hotel and state public building plans at NSW Has the building been altered? water against a backdrop of unremarkable ownership by the State Government.”10 responsibly convert the building for hotel or In order to find out this information check the State Records – www.records.nsw.gov.au. This can usually be determined by comparing high-rise tower buildings. There are understandable reasons why similar uses. In addition there are many following sources: • A number of current architects and firms surviving drawings with published photographs The Department of Lands Building is a government will legitimately consider moveable items, including signage, plaques • Council development application (DA) have donated drawings of past projects to the and what survives of the building today. rich repository of our social and cultural disposal of public properties: buildings may and loose furniture, many of which could not and building application (BA) registers; Mitchell Library (see Q1), including AJ+C, heritage. Not only is the statuary significant, become unsuitable for the functions they are be left but should not be separated from the maps; subdivision plans; street directories; COX Architecture and Glenn Murcutt. Q9: Is the design important in the surviving but there are two specific markers that are of serving; demand for a public service may building. Its ‘disposal’ would directly and rate books. As many council records It is worth noting that indexes to architectural body of work of the architect/designer? critical interest to the practice and profession change; its location may become unsuitable; contradict the National Trust (NSW) advice. are not yet online, DA registers may be drawings held at the Mitchell Library and State Sources: of surveying. The first is the brass bench mark and maintenance costs can be high. In There is no doubt that it would be far more available in local studies collections. The Records are still hard copy only. A good starting • Architectural monographs. plug set in the stone to the right of the main Sydney many major public buildings have logical and economical to continue to use the City of Sydney is the main exception, their point is the Mitchell Library’s Guide to •  The Encyclopedia of Australian Architecture entrance, providing “…the origin of all levels been privatised with varying degrees of building for the office accommodation to rate books have been transcribed, and Architectural Collections (via the manuscripts by Philip Goad and Julie Willis. in New South Wales for the purpose of the success. In the 1980s Finger which it is suited; it would also be very their street planning cards, which list catalogue). The State Records Plan index • Biographies compiled by the NSW Chapter. Survey Co-ordination Act”.8 First measured Wharf was decommissioned as a public berth desirable to continue to house an arm of the applications, have been scanned. (formerly AO Plan) can be consulted at NSW between 1887–94, and then reviewed, the for overseas and local liners, and public service there. There has long been a • The City of Sydney Archives online State Records. Q10: What was the context of the design? level was finally determined in 1896 as 28.94 redeveloped for up-market residential and symbiotic relationship between government catalogue Archives Investigator. Also online Care needs to be taken to assess the design feet above mean sea level. A second marker is hotel accommodation – a short-sighted service and the historic buildings in which it are Archive Pix, Assessment Books, Street Q5. Was the building published at the time of according to the prevailing architectural climate the State Survey Baseline set in the ground decision alienating deepwater berthing has been housed, none more so than that Planning Cards and their Historic Atlas – completion? at the time of design/completion rather than floor in 1894 for the calibration of surveyors’ facilities in a location that would have been between the discipline of surveying and the www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/history/ Sources: making assumptions from a current point of measuring equipment. The Institution of ideal and much needed for today’s cruise Department of Lands Building. archives. • The NSW Chapter holds the full run of view. Oral histories can often provide this Surveyors NSW warns that surveyors need ship market. In the same period the grand • See the historical menu from Architecture Bulletin, most of Cross Section and background (See Q2). access to the standard and “without proper Victorian-style Treasury Building was sold Peter Webber PhotosAU.com for other councils. selected issues of Architecture Australia. calibration, the integrity of their linear and redeveloped as a hotel with an intrusive • Tenders in newspapers or construction Additional holdings at the State Library of Q11: When was the building type introduced? measurements is in danger of being lost”.9 high-rise tower set back behind the street Footnotes journals via the National Library of New South Wales and the National Library of Is this example rare? Was this example 1. Graham Quint. Policy on the Change of Use and Disposal of Very close by in Macquarie Place, seen facades. Much can be learned from a State Government Heritage Assets, National Trust of Australia’s Trove website – Australia. typical? Was this example typical at the time against, resonating with, and seeming almost relatively successful case, the Sydney GPO Australia (NSW), December 2013. www.trove.nla.gov.au • Popular magazines were also very influential, but now rare? part of the Department of Lands Building to in , still perhaps the most 2. Graham Stewart, Letter from Institution of Surveyors • Subdivision plans can be found online via particularly when it came to the design of A discussion of a typical building should consider NSW (ISNSW) President, 27 August 2013. those who appreciate the central place of impressive and most loved of all public the State Library New South Wales main houses. The Caroline Simpson Library and specific contemporary examples rather than 3.  Architecture Bulletin, Summer 2014, p. 2. surveying in the story, stands Francis buildings in the city, but one that by the 4. Letter (undated) from Project Director of the catalogue – www.sl.nsw.gov.au. Research Collection (Sydney Living simply relying on recent books focused on Greenway’s Obelisk: erected in 1818 it marks second half of the 20th century could no Department received by ISNSW, 23 September 2014. Museums) has a wide range of material elements of architectural style. the spot from which distances are measured longer serve as the central mail processing 5. Simon Johanson. The Sydney Morning Herald, Q2: Who commissioned the work? Did they regarding residential design in New South 27 November 2013, p. 25. to all places in the then colony, and the centre as well as central post office. The commission other similar buildings or Wales, as has the Mitchell Library. 6. Morton Herman, The Architecture of Victorian Sydney, present state of New South Wales. building was restored, street frontages Angus and Robertson, Sydney 1956, p. 48. works by the same architect? NSW Chapter Heritage activated, including a post office on the 7. David Sheedy. Lands Department Building Listing Sheet, Sources: Q6. Did the design win any architectural Enquiry Service National Trust of Australia (NSW), 1975. Policies and past forebears main street corner, and a large and • Government Gazette and Departmental awards? For any questions or assistance with 8. Peter Tranter. Lands Department Datum Bench Mark Plug relatively discrete new high-rise hotel annual reports at the Mitchell Library via the Sources: th Listing Sheet, National Trust of Australia (NSW), 1988. research regarding 20 century • With many government buildings under threat developed behind. The ground level interior 9. Letter (unpublished) to The Sydney Morning Herald, from State Library (see Q1).  Architecture Australia and Architecture Bulletin architecture in New South Wales, or to throughout Australia, the Australian Council spaces are open and welcoming, and its ISNSW President drafted 25 September 2013. • Newspaper reports via Trove (see Q1). (NSW Chapter Digital Archive). make an appointment to view archival of National Trusts in 1998 developed a policy ambience is such that there remains at least 10. Graham Quint, op. cit. • Online NSW Government annual reports • For Sulman Medal winners refer to periodicals and other materials, please for the disposal of State Government heritage a sense of public accessibility and (including Public Works) – Architecture in Transition: The Sulman Award email [email protected]. assets. In December 2013, the National Trust ‘ownership’ of the building. www.opengov.nsw.gov.au. 1932-1996 by Andrew Metcalf.

24 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 25 review

Reliance on the books of the university To a wider public, Seidler may well be This book is a testament to the places of development history of the town and its library (and an unnamed private collection that remembered as being media savvy and cultural significance that enrich people’s lives; battles with natural disasters, as well as the I suspect is Aitken’s own) is both the core assertive, however, O’Neill portrays him as a those irreplaceable and precious places that Presbyterian ministers’ families and events strength and greatest weakness of Cultivating passionate and generous man. When I provide an inspirational sense of connection that fashioned the decoration of the manse Modernism. The sumptuous illustrations, declared during my high school days that I to community and landscape. for 150 years. This long and eventful historic which are served well by the excellence of the wanted to become an architect, my parents, Peter Freeman, a well-known conservation account proved to be the foundation and book design and production, depict ideal not knowing how to advise, contacted the only architect with over 50 years of experience, is prelude for the comprehensive projects and international examples of built architect they had heard of. To my surprise able to tell the story of a former Presbyterian documentation of the restoration of the modernist gardens, however, while some built Seidler agreed to my parent’s telephone manse in Moruya, on the south coast of New manse, which involved great care and Australian examples are mentioned – for request and gave up one of his busy mornings South Wales, as a result of the Historic Houses expertise; skilfully and professionally example the rooftop garden by Paul Sorensen to show me his Milsons Point office while Trust (now Sydney Living Museums) executed traditional trades performed by at Feltex House in George Street, Sydney – they speaking knowingly about architectural Endangered Houses Fund project. A story that local tradesmen; a ‘cautionary approach’ to are not illustrated or discussed. The lack of education, especially in Sydney. In memory of is not only about a house on loan to the intervention; and adaptive re-use by built Australian examples is the greatest this kindness, I can relate with O’Neill’s ministers who occupied it, but also about a retrieving as many of the 1865 Victorian disappointment with the book, however, observations. On the whole this is a good read dedicated group of people who built both the Georgian-style architectural elements that discussion of the as-built results of modernism about a man whose life was inextricably woven church and manse, the people who cared for showcase the principles of heritage best in Australia was not the aim of the publication, by his architectural convictions and his the place long after the ministers left, and the practice. As such the book will be a good it was the transmission and reception of ideas devotion to his family. comprehensive survey and documentation of resource to both the general public and that was the purpose. The lack of built A Singular Vision: Harry Seidler remarkable layers of wallpapers and conservation specialists who wish to learn Cultivating Modernism: Reading the examples would tend to suggest that the Author Helen O’Neill Glenn Harper decoration of a comparatively humble but about Moruya’s historical development or Modern Garden 1917-71 modernist garden was not received in Publisher HarperCollins PTW Architects elegant 1865 cottage. Michael Lech, the the use of wallpaper at the time, including the Author Richard Aitken Australia, however, the modernist buildings RRP $49.99 Members $45.99 wallpaper conservator for Sydney Living documentation, conservation and rescue of Publisher Melbourne University Publishing that were built here were constructed on sites www.architext.com.au Museums, observed “…although hundreds… of such delicate and significant fabric. RRP $39.99 Members $35.99 that already had vegetated surrounds, which, new wallpaper designs appeared on the market This book shows the narrative and www.architext.com.au by their very existence, were gardens related to This, the second biography written in the past every year,… the wallpapers found at Moruya skilful presentation of Freeman through these modernist structures. Aitken does depict 12 years on the architect Harry Seidler, is a The Wallpapered Manse: The Rescue of an are unlikely to be found in any Australian and another conservation project and is a gift to Richard Aitken’s latest book, Cultivating US West Coast modernist houses in stands of handsome publication, even with a somewhat Endangered House possibly any overseas collection.” the town of Moruya as well as the practice of Modernism: Reading the Modern Garden 1917–71 emigrant eucalypts and suggests that they bizarre half-slip cover. Written in a similar Author Peter Freeman The beautifully designed, proportioned conservation. is a revisiting of the chapter on Modernism in formed a modernist setting. Likewise, the narrative style to the first book, this biography Publisher The Watermark Press and written publication is enriched with his book, The Garden of Ideas viewed through Woolley House in Mosman, set on its steep also spends a great deal of time describing RRP $49.99 Members $45.99 colourful maps, pictures and sketches Kerime Danis the lens of his passion for books and libraries. bushland site, is also mentioned in the context Seidler’s life in (Austria), Cambridge www.architext.com.au supporting the interrelated chronological City Plan Heritage Cultivating Modernism is not a history of of the ‘natural’ bush being the adopted and (UK), and and Cambridge (US). modernist gardens but is a view of gardens and appropriate setting for Australian modernist This is offered as the necessary context in the garden making through books and magazines. houses. development of Seidler’s character, as Aitken hopes that this survey of modernist The book is arranged in broad influenced by his father’s determinism, his gardens in the documents will form the chronological chapters that are divided into mother’s ambition and his elder brother who bedrock of a future history of modernist page-long, thematic snippets. It is not a book had an ‘eye for design’. His internment in garden making. As a research tool and with an argued narrative, in contrast to Canada is also discussed in great detail. Some introduction to the topic, it is a worthwhile Aitken’s Garden of Ideas. The illustrations are new pieces of information are presented addition to the professional library. rarely mentioned in the text and the captions including how he overcame his colour Aitken uses the book and magazine only occasionally state their relevance to the blindness. collection at the University of Melbourne’s illustration to which they relate. An example is However, there are some differences library to examine the transmission of the book’s cover illustration, from a 1936 between the two biographies. For example, Modernism to Australia. The focus is on the Australian Home Beautiful magazine, which here, Helen O’Neill states that Seidler’s family garden but, because of the composition of the depicts a pavilion by a pond with white boats greeted him at the airport when he arrived in source material in the library, the emphasis is riding at anchor on a bay or harbour beyond. Sydney in 1948, yet in the former biography, more on the buildings and architecture than Where is this modernist idyll? Is it the UK, the Almost Full Circle: Harry Seidler by Alice the garden. The excellent reproduction of US, Australia or Utopia? But that is the Spigelman, it states that Seidler’s family did illustrations from books and magazines is modernist conundrum: it should be anywhere. not meet him and that he had to make his own Cultivating Modernism’s strength; while its clear way to their Sydney apartment. Consequently text and captioning make it accessible to the Scott Robertson we are left wondering, and such unverified general reader, the book’s appended lists of the Robertson & Hindmarsh detail will only cause ongoing confusion sources of illustrative material and its especially when used for historic research. endnotes and bibliography engage the With 26 portrait photographs and another 48 specialist reader and prompt further research group photographs, this biography is not a and reading. demanding architectural study; also, the lack of architectural plans is unfortunate.

26 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014 27

obituary  When Quality Matters... Model-Tech 3D  specialises in the highest quality models for Born to Baptist missionaries in Kaifeng, people have with the built environment. His presentation, marketing China, in 1936, Frederick John Ridley vision was for ‘creative partnerships’ and DA. We utilise Smith, known as Ridley, had his early established to ‘create life-changing advanced techniques, education in China and India. Fleeing environments’. This approach was deeply colour and texture communist oppression he was brought to influenced by his strong Christian faith  matching, and a computer controlled cutting system to Australia in 1951 and matriculated from expressed in concern for others.  ensure our models are clean, precise and Katoomba High School in 1952. He One of the firm’s first commissions was  visually exciting. To view our portfolio of attended the University of Sydney between the redevelopment of Sydney Square and the  completed projects or discuss your options  1953 and 1958, studying architecture under construction of St Andrew’s House for the and possibilities, please call Russell Pearse.  Professor Henry Ingham Ashworth and Anglican Diocese of Sydney. This important  was also greatly influenced by the input of and well-detailed urban environment has left  MODEL-TECH 3D  Lloyd Rees during these formative years. a positive and lasting impact on the historic Level 6 / 2 Foveaux Street In 1958, following graduation he centre of Sydney. It was in this development Surry Hills NSW 2010 worked for a short time in the office of that Ridley Smith memorialised the late  T: 02 9281 2711 F: 02 9212 5556 Fowell Mansfield Jarvis & McLurcan and Arthur Stace with the inclusion of the word  E: [email protected]  Frederick John Ridley Smith then travelled to Canada where he worked ‘Eternity’ in the paving at the base of the Wall www.modeltech3d.com.au  FRAIA, RIBA, MSIA for two years with the firm of Bruce Brown of Water fountain adjoining St Andrew’s (1936–2013) and Brisley in Toronto. Moving to England Cathedral. he was employed in the offices of Ove Of particular interest to Ridley was the Arup. Returning to Sydney in 1961, Ridley area of church architecture and music and he worked for a period with the was responsible for a large number of new Commonwealth Department of Works and church buildings in the Sydney region for a subsequently became an Associate at variety of religious denominations, including Herbert F. Hely and Noel Bell Architects, the Hillsong development at Baulkham Hills, working on projects including Bankstown Castle Hill Baptist Church and new worship Square and St John’s Village, Glebe. centres at St John’s Church, Camden and St In July 1969 he entered into partnership Jude’s Church, Bowral. with Noel Bell under the name Noel Bell His educational projects included Ridley Smith and commenced a practice appointments at Southern Cross University ARCHITECTURAL MODELMAKERS that spanned more than 40 years; located in in Lismore, the University of Sydney, Sydney the North Sydney area, the practice covered TAFE Petersham College, The Scots School, largely institutional works including Albury and at a significant number of private churches, aged housing, schools, university and state schools and colleges throughout faculties, hospitals and prisons. New South Wales. Steve Mosley Matt Scott Rob Flowers Ridley’s career was extensive and He was a final year design tutor at the phone: 9565 4518 varied. At the core of his design ethos was University of Sydney between 1982 and 1986 email: [email protected] an understanding of the connection that and served on a variety of architectural www.modelcraft.com.au panels and not-for-profit organisations, giving of his time and experience generously. His architectural contribution extended beyond Australia with educational, health and tourist projects designed for China, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia and Ghana. In his architecture as much as in his office and private life, Ridley connected his intense interest in architecture with a demonstrable care for the lives of people and OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE Approximately 120 sqm of office space available a desire to improve their built environment. to share on a monthly per seat basis or longer term area basis including all amenities, air The architectural legacy that he leaves conditioning, cleaning, naming opportunities etc. behind expresses clearly an understanding of Offices located right at Wynyard Station and city bus interchange with views over Wynyard Park human scale in its use of materials as well as and many adjacent parking opportunities. Walk to Barrangaroo, Martin Place and . in the hierarchy of spatial relationships. His Modern fitout includes conference room, lobby, buildings were designed for people to use interview space, kitchen, cabling and lots of dedicated storage shelving – suit architects, and enjoy. engineers, contractors, lawyers and the like. Up to eight work stations available (minimum Castle Hill Day Surgery by Ridley Smith. Image: NBRS + Partners. 4) @ $150 week including electricity, cleaning etc. plus GST. Area basis - lease @ $510 sqm Robert Staas inclusive plus GST. NBRS + Partners Call Michael Davies 0419 190 379 or email [email protected] 28 Architecture Bulletin Autumn 2014