Section 170 Register Report: 4726003: MAIN QUAD / EAST RANGE AND GREAT HALL
Heritage
Item ID:
4726003
Item
Name:
MAIN QUAD / EAST RANGE AND GREAT HALL
Street
Number:
Street
Name:
Main Quadrangle, The University of Sydney
Suburb /
Nearest Town:
Sydney
State:
NSW
Post
Code:
2006
Other / Former
Names:
N/A
Group
Item ID:
4726004
Group
Name:
Main Quadrangle
Year Construction
Started:
1855
Year Construction
Completed:
1862
National
Theme:
Educating
Regional
Theme:
Designer:
Edmund Blacket 1855-1862, James Barnet (Clerk of Works)
Builder:
Holmes & Coney, John Donovan & Robert Melville, A & S Loveridge, W Elphinstone, W H Hudson & Sons
Local
Theme:
Development of the University as a teaching institution, Development of Gothic Revival Style in Australia
Development of the University site at and beyond Grose Farm
Custom
Field One:
A14
Custom
Field Two:
Custom
Field Three:
Statement Of
Significance:
The first building of Australia's first university, designed on an impressive scale and in an architectural style traditionally associated with the highest standards of learning, the original building was a potent symbol of the vision and ambition of its founders, of their belief in the future of the colony and of the overriding importance of education in the age of responsible government.
The East Range and Great Hall have remained symbolically at the heart of the University throughout its history, despite substantial changes to the dynamics of the University campus and its building stock.
One of Australia's grandest secular buildings in the Gothic Revival style and, at the time of its construction, the largest public building in the Colony.
The keystone of what is probably the most significant group of Gothic Revival Buildings in Australia.
Historical
Notes:
Following the Inauguration of the University of Sydney on 11 October 1852 and the matriculation of the first students, the Senate applied to the government 'for a suitable site of land on which to erect a proper suite of buildings' and for a grant 'to defray the necessary expenses connected therewith'. A site at Grose Farm was offered by the government and by the end of 1854 the boundaries had been determined, confirmed by Crown Grant dated 18 January 1855. The Senate's architect was Edmund Blacket appointed in May 1854 after resigning his position as Colonial Architect. Chosen for his particular skills in Gothic architecture, it was this style which Blacket recommended for the new university as particularly associated with study and learning. As was usual at the time, Blacket's work included the 'careful selection of archaeologically correct detailing to give it appropriate atmosphere'. Various sources can be identified from contemporary publications.
The first plans and designs were discussed by the Senate in June 1854. By September it had been decided to construct the eastern range with a central tower and open archway and the Great Hall. A watercolour by Conrad Martens provides the only evidence for Blacket's larger plan. Work began on the foundations in January 1855 and stone was chosen as the building material. James Barnet was Blacket's clerk of works. By the end of 1857 teaching had begun in the unfinished building. The Great Hall was first used on 18 July 1859, effectively the public opening of the buildings at Grose Farm although work did not finish until 1862 when the tower was completed and all funds were exhausted. As originally designed the north end of the eastern range accommodated classics, the Registrar's office and retiring rooms for students and professors and the southern end lecture rooms for mathematics, chemistry and physics and a laboratory. The Great Hall was one of the most imposing buildings in the Colony and attracted an appeal for d
Physical
Description:
The two storey sandstone building features high quality carved Gothic Revival style decorative details and tracery, coats of arms and medallions. The sandstone is thought to originate from Pyrmont but it is possible that quarrying occurred in front of the east range forming the terrace. The roofs are clad with Welsh Slate. The east range largely retains its original interiors with fine carved cedar joinery (also Gothic Revival in style), massive timber staircases, marble and timber floors and plastered walls. Externally the Great Hall is crenellated with a corner turret to the north east. The eastern gable has central stained glass window with carved tracery, as does the western facade. The stained glass symbolises Oxford and Cambridge. The central finial of the eastern gable was originally surmounted by a carved Angel of Knowledge which was removed in 1874. Photographs of the Eastern range taken in the mid nineteenth century show a corrugated iron roof, indicating that the slate was not installed initially. Internally the walls of the Great Hall are dressed stone, with a grey and white marble floor. The elaborate carved timber work to the roof vaults includes carved timber angels designed by James Barnet.
Physical
Condition:
Refer to the 1999 University of Sydney Heritage Fabric Survey.
Modification
Dates:
1858 - Stained glass (survives)
1875 - Marble flooring (survives)
1884 - Gaslights (survive)
1927-28 - War Memorial Carrillion
1928 - Electric lighting
c1980 - External stonework to Great Hall
Recommended
Management:
The preparation of a detailed Conservation Management Plan for this area is recommended. 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. There is a draft CMP for the whole of the Main Quadrangle.
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
South Sydney City
Sydney South
Sydney
Historical
Significance:
The first building of Australia's first university, designed on an impressive scale and in an architectural style traditionally associated with the highest standards of learning, the original building was a potent symbol of the vision and ambition of its founders, of their belief in the future of the colony and of the overriding importance of education in the age of responsible government.
Modelled on the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the facilities were to be contained within the quadrangle. Subsequent expansion of the University has resulted in the creation of new faculties.
Aesthetic
Significance:
As the starting point of a complex of Gothic Revival Style buildings which form the Main Building Precinct. This building group is probably the most important group of Gothic Revival buildings in Australia.
Indicating the spread of architectural ideas to the colonies. The selection of an appropriate style was important to the institution. The Great Hall and East Range continue to symbolise the University of Sydney.
Social
Significance:
For its symbolic role, for functions, special events and as the site of graduation ceremonies.
Technical
Significance:
Indicating the development of the Gothic Revival Style.
Rare
Assessment:
A very rare grouping of Gothic Revival Buildings, probably unique in Australia. The Great Hall is an extremely fine example of a hall, modelled on English prototypes.
Representative
Assessment:
Intact
Assessment:
Substantially intact.
State
Theme Code
Education
Author
Title
Reference
Year
DPWS Heritage Group and Otto Cserhalmi & Partners
University of Sydney, Heritage Fabric Survey
1999
Register of the National Trust and National Trust Listing Cards
Original plans Blacket plans, Mitchell Library & Blacket papers, University Archives
C Turney, U Bygott & P Chippendale
Australia's First : a history of the University of Sydney Volume 1 1850-1939
1991
Joan Kerr
Our Great Victorian Architect Edmund Thomas Blacket (1817-1883)
1983
Bertha McKenzie
Stained Glass and Stone : the Gothic Buildings of the University of Sydney (Sydney University Monographs No. 5)
1989
Heritage
List Name
Listing
Name
Reference
Number
Listing
Date
Register of the National Estate
Main Building - East Range and Great Hall
001884
21/03/1978
National Trust of Australia register
Part of Sydney University Main Building Precinct
N/A
11/02/1974
Image
Caption:
Main Building, University of Sydney, Nov 1870
Image
Copyright:
Image
By:
Image
Date:
Image
File:
gpo1_05775.gif
Image
Path:
Thumb Nail
File:
Thumb Nail
Path:
Image
Caption:
The East Range and Great Hall, 1999
Image
Copyright:
Image
By:
DPWS Heritage Design Services
Image
Date:
Image
File:
east01b.jpg
Image
Path:
Thumb Nail
File:
Thumb Nail
Path:
Image
Caption:
University of Sydney, doorway main building, late 1850s
Image
Copyright:
Image
By:
John Smith. Original held in the Macleay Museum
Image
Date:
Image
File:
gpo1_11096.gif
Image
Path:
Thumb Nail
File:
Thumb Nail
Path:
Image
Caption:
University of Sydney, view from the south-east toward tower, late 1850s
