Campus Infrastructure Services
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Section 170 Register Report: 4726002: MAIN BUILDING PRECINCT |
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| Heritage Item ID: | 4726002 | |
| Item Name: | MAIN BUILDING PRECINCT | |
| Street Number: | ||
| Street Name: | University & Eastern Avenues, The University of Sydney | |
| Suburb / Nearest Town: | Sydney | |
| State: | NSW | |
| Post Code: | 2006 | |
| Other / Former Names: | N/A | |
| Group Item ID: | 4726002 | |
| Group Name: | Main Building Precinct | |
| Year Construction Started: | 1855 | |
| Year Construction Completed: | 0 | |
| National Theme: | Educating | |
| Regional Theme: | ||
| Designer: | Refer to individual sheets | |
| Builder: | Refer to individual sheets | |
| Local Theme: | Development of the University as a teaching institution, Development of Gothic Revival Style in Australia Promotion of research Teaching, research and support staff Development of the University site at and beyond Grose Farm | |
| Custom Field One: | A14 & F13 | |
| Custom Field Two: | ||
| Custom Field Three: | ||
| Statement Of Significance: | The focus of activity in the University until the 1960s and still the symbolic centre of the institution. Australia's grandest secular exercise in the Gothic Revival style. The precinct contains two significant, and largely intact Gothic Revival style interiors of international importance: The Great Hall, 1854-59, by the former Colonial Architect Edmund Blacket assisted by James Barnet and MacLaurin Hall (formerly the Fisher Library), 1902-09 by the Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon. The many historical associations of this group of buildings with both people and events, and its influence on the development of the colony, make it of national significance. Buildings have been designed and added to the precinct over an 80 year period, and have been homogeneous and sympathetic in character. | |
| Historical Notes: | The Main Quadrangle was built in a number of stages between 1855 and 1966 and comprises the following building phases (see individual sheets): 1855-1862 East range and Great Hall by E T Blacket 1902-1909 Fisher Library and book stack by the Government Architect 1913-1918 South range and cloisters by the Government Architect 1921-1924 North and north-west ranges by Leslie Wilkinson with Wilson Neave & Berry 1926 South-west range and west face of western tower by Leslie Wilkinson with Wilson Neave & Berry 1963-1966 East face of western tower and cloisters by Fowell Mansfield & Maclurcan In 1927 the main quadrangle was levelled, the four lawns laid down to turf and the central pathways laid with flagstones. The work was carried out under the guidance of Professor E G Waterhouse who was also responsible for planting the jacaranda tree in the south-west corner of the main quadrangle. By 1853 the site for the University had been selected, and the following year Edmund Blacket, the Colonial Architect, resigned his post in order to devote his attention to the design and supervision of the new University buildings. He stated that his inspiration was the medieval quadrangles of the Oxford and Cambridge colleges. His design for the first stage closely resembled a contemporary example, that of a college at Finchley illustrated in the Builder. In addition, Blacket selected motifs from Charles Barry's designs for the new Houses of Parliament and from the published drawings of A.C. and A.W.N. Pugin. In the middle of 1854, the Vice-Provost, F.L.S. Merewether, prodded the Building Committee into committing to building an edifice on a grander scale "for the future". Accordingly the south wing proposal was abandoned, the east wing was extended to take the displaced accommodation and the Great Hall was much enlarged. This first stage was constructed between 1855 to 1862. Subsequent additions were made by the Government Architect, W.L. Vernon, | |
| Physical Description: | The Medical School (Anderson Stuart Building) was built to the south of the main quadrangle to a design by the Colonial Architect, James Barnet, in 1885-90. The Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon added northern wings in 1910-12 and Wilkinson completed the structure with a northern portal and centrepiece in 1922-24. Later still, on the northern flank of the Great Hall, Wilkinson erected the Botany building as a sandstone screen to hide Mansfield's 1885-86 Macleay Museum. All these additions were made in revival styles ranging in source from the late Gothic to Elizabethan and those that related to the main facades or the quadrangle were faced with sandstone. The result is a precinct on a grand scale with a remarkable degree of unity, which at the same time gives a strong sense of the historical growth and development of the campus. Those facades flanking Science Road and the Vice-Chancellor's court were finished by Wilkinson in a cream stucco with sandstone detailing and surrounds. The contrast between the large and formal quadrangle and the intimacy and lush growth of the Vice-Chancellor's court is an important surprise element. The NT listing also includes the pike and rail fencing to Parramatta Road & Victoria Park, the front lawn and drive, and the courtyards and quads and the surrounding streets. | |
| Physical Condition: | Refer to the 1999 University of Sydney Heritage Fabric Survey | |
| Modification Dates: | Refer to individual sheets | |
| Recommended Management: | Refer to the detailed requirements contained within the individual Conservation Plans and Conservation Management Plans noted on each inventory sheet. Refer also to the 1999 University of Sydney Heritage Fabric Survey. Ensure that the impact of any proposal on the heritage significance of the buildings, and their setting, is assessed when planning new works. | |
| Further Information: | An in-depth study of the Gothic Revival buildings at the University of Sydney is required to assess their relative levels of significance on an international level. | |
| Custom Field Four: | ||
| Custom Field Five: | ||
| Custom Field Six: |
| Local Government
Area |
DUAP Region |
Historic Region |
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| South Sydney City | Sydney South | Sydney | ||
| Historical Significance: | The many historical associations of this group of buildings with both people and events, and its influence on the development of the colony, make it of national significance. Buildings have been designed and added to the precinct over an 80 year period, and have been homogeneous and sympathetic in character. As the centrepiece of the University, both functionally and its ceremonial heart, where ceremonies such as graduation occur. | |
| Aesthetic Significance: | Probably the most important group of Gothic Revival Buildings in Australia, the work of two successive Government / Colonial Architects as well as the original designer of the main quad Edmund Blacket. Professor Leslie Wilkinson also contributed, completing both the medical school and main quad. For the quality of the carved stonework and decorative elements such as gargoyles and coats of arms. | |
| Social Significance: | For its continuing use as a university. | |
| Technical Significance: | Demonstrating the development of the Gothic Revival Style in Australia. Indicating changes in the design and layout of university facilities. | |
| Rare Assessment: | A rare and highly significant group of Gothic Revival Buildings, including two major interiors: the Great Hall and the Maclaurin Hall (former Fisher Library). | |
| Representative Assessment: | ||
| Intact Assessment: | Substantially intact externally. Major spaces intact internally. |
| State
Theme Code |
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| Education | ||||
| Author | Title | Reference
Year |
|||
| DPWS Heritage Group and Otto Cserhalmi & Partners | University of Sydney, Heritage Fabric Survey | 1999 | |||
| Register of the National Estate and National Trust Listing Cards | |||||
| Heritage
List Name |
Listing
Name |
Reference
Number |
Listing
Date |
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| Register of the National Estate | Sydney University Main Building Precinct | 001883 | 21/10/1980 | ||||
| National Trust of Australia register | Main Building Precinct | N/A | 02/08/1974 | ||||
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