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Heritage
Item ID:
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4726004
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Item
Name:
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MAIN QUADRANGLE
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Street
Number:
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Street
Name:
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Main Quadrangle, The University of Sydney
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Suburb /
Nearest Town:
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Sydney
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State:
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NSW
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Post
Code:
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2006
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Other / Former
Names:
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Main Building Additions
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Group
Item ID:
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4726004
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Group
Name:
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Main Quadrangle
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Year Construction
Started:
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1855
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Year Construction
Completed:
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1966
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National
Theme:
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Educating
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Regional
Theme:
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Designer:
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Refer to individual sheets
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Builder:
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Refer to individual sheets
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Local
Theme:
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Development of the Gothic Revival Style in Australia
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Custom
Field One:
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A14
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Custom
Field Two:
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Custom
Field Three:
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Statement Of
Significance:
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This group of Gothic Revival buildings, forming the Main Quadrangle is probably the most significant group of Gothic Revival buildings in Australia.
Indicating the growth and development of the University of Sydney since its inception. The symbolic and functional heart of the University.
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Historical
Notes:
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The main quadrangle was commenced in 1855 with the construction of the East Range and the Great Hall. Plans for a southern range were abandoned due to the lack of funds and it was not until after the turn of the century that construction of Fisher Library (now MacLaurin Hall) was commenced. Further additions were made in 1913-1918 and the 1920s. The east side of the western tower was completed in 1963-1966. A cloister was partially constructed. Although schemes have been prepared by various architects including Leslie Wilkinson to complete the cloister, this work has not been undertaken.
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Physical
Description:
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A series of two storey sandstone wings, some with attic storey and dormer windows, enclosing a quadrangle. The south range is Walter Liberty Vernon's interpretation of Gothic, with slate roofs and Tudor revival style chimneys. Maclaurin Hall has a steeply ribbed copper roof, topped by an elaborate copper/muntz metal lantern. A cloister follows the quadrangle facade of the south wing, returning to the east and the west. The West Range, by Professor L Wilkinson is Medieval Tudor Revival in style. The cloister extends to the central towers at the east and west archways into the quadrangle. The North Range is a continuation of West Range with final link to Great Hall. It does not have a cloister. All of the facades to the quadrangle feature a crenellated parapet, bossed string courses and ashlar stonework. The c. 1910 buildings have elaborate leadlight windows with coloured glass. The more recent buildings by Wilkinson have metal windows. The copper rainwater heads generally bear the date of construction of each section of the quadrangle.
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Physical
Condition:
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Refer to the 1999 University of Sydney Heritage Fabric Survey
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Modification
Dates:
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1902-1909 - Maclaurin Hall
1913-1918 - South Range
1920s - North-West Range
1966 - West Tower
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Recommended
Management:
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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 Main Quadrangle.
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Further
Information:
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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.
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Custom
Field Four:
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Custom
Field Five:
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Custom
Field Six:
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Historical
Significance:
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The Main Quadrangle indicates the growth and development of the University and the expansion of its faculties and facilities. It remains the symbolic heart of the institution and is widely used by staff and students. The completion of the Main Quadrangle over 100 years after the construction of the Great Hall indicates how strong the original concept was.
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Aesthetic
Significance:
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A homogeneous complex that is sympathetic and complementary to Blacket's original building. Although completed over a century after the completion of the East Range and the Great Hall the original design intention was followed, forming a traditional English collegiate grassed quadrangle. The main quadrangle is located within the Sydney University main building precinct, a precinct classified by the National Trust.
The Main Quadrangle is formed by a series of Gothic Revival buildings, probably the most important building group of this type in Australia. The quadrangle is the culmination of extensive planning and successive waves of building, each contributing to the whole. Indicating the spread of architectural ideas and the adoption of English models.
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Social
Significance:
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For its continued use as a quadrangle.
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Technical
Significance:
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Limited however features such as tanks survive beneath the Quad.
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Rare
Assessment:
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A rare example in Australia of a quadrangle modelled on English medieval colleges.
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Representative
Assessment:
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Intact
Assessment:
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Substantially intact.
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