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Section 170 Register Report: 4726007: ANDERSON STUART BUILDING

Heritage Item ID:   4726007
Item Name:   ANDERSON STUART BUILDING
Street Number:  
Street Name:   Eastern Avenue, The University of Sydney
Suburb / Nearest Town:   Sydney
State:   NSW
Post Code:   2006
Other / Former Names:   N/A
Group Item ID:   0
Group Name:   N/A
Year Construction Started:   1884
Year Construction Completed:   1892
National Theme:   Educating
Regional Theme:  
Designer:   J Barnet, Colonial Architect 1884-90, W L Vernon, Govt. Architect 1909-12, Prof. L Wilkinson 1922
Builder:   Unknown
Local Theme:   Development of the Gothic Revival Style in Australia
Custom Field One:   F13
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Statement Of Significance:   The building has been in continuous use as a medical school, the purpose for which it was originally designed, since 1889. The Medical School is closely associated with the work of Professor T P Anderson Stuart who supervised every aspect of its development from 1884 until his death in 1920. The site, quality of design, materials and workmanship of the building gave visible proof of the respectability and dominance of medicine as an academic discipline. This dominance was an important feature of the organisation of the University as a whole for a prolonged period. The building is a fine example of organic growth with harmonious extensions to the original.
Historical Notes:   The Medical School began its life in 1883 in a small cottage on Science Road (later the site of the School of Mines) but the following year the Senate resolved that a Medical School be erected without delay. Designed by the Colonial Architect, James Barnet, to a specific brief from an academic committee, every aspect of the development of the Medical School was supervised by its founder, the recently appointed Professor of Anatomy and Physiology T P Anderson Stuart. On a prominent site to the south of the main building, the school was designed to be in harmony with it in both architectural style and materials. Construction began in 1884 and the school was occupied in April 1889 although some works continued until 1892. Facilities for women, who had just been admitted to the University, were added during construction. Functional requirements such as large rooms, 20ft ceilings and ventilation control were determined by Anderson Stuart. Additions at the north-west (1909-1910) and north-east (1910-1912) designed by the Government Architect formed a quadrangle on the north side, completed in 1922 when a link between the two additions was completed, designed by Leslie Wilkinson. The building has since been subject to repeated internal subdivision.
Physical Description:   The arrangement of the original block is symmetrical, virtually on 2 axes, and has an Elizabethan type 'double faced E' plan. The axes are marked internally by east west and north south corridors paved with white and black marble. The southern and western terminations of the corridors feature English stained glass. The building itself is a brick structure encased in sandstone, and carried out in detailing similar to the main building, on which Barnet had worked as Clerk of Works. Between 1907-12, the Government Architect, W.L. Vernon, added the north west ( c. 1907) and north east (c.1910) extensions and the linking walkway and external spiral staircase. The walkways and stair are an early use of re-enforced concrete. In 1922 the Professor of Architecture Leslie Wilkinson completed the north facade inserting an Elizabethan Revival style pavilion between the earlier wings. Each addition has been designed to complement the earlier stages of the building. With the exception of the corridors, western staircase, and perhaps Vernon's Listerian Theatre, no interiors have survived in an unmutilated condition. Externally the building has carved sandstone detailing, including a raven who watches over the entrance. The raven is an allusion to Anderson Stuart. Many of the original decorative features of each stage also survive including stained glass and marble flooring, metalwork, tilework, door furniture and light fittings. Evidence of earlier colour schemes and finishes also survives. Two courtyards were formed, at different levels due to the slope of the site, separated by a link building in the form of a cloister (now modified). The original wing contained a museum and laboratories on the ground floor and five theatres and a dissecting room on the first floor. Additional theatres were constructed within the new wings. The building contains a collection of busts of "medical heroes".
Physical Condition:   Refer to the 1999 University of Sydney Heritage Fabric Survey
Modification Dates:   1909-1910 - North-West Wing 1910-1912 - North-East Wing 1922 - Link
Recommended Management:   Refer to the detailed conservation policies contained within the Conservation Plan for the Anderson Stuart Building by Dr. J. S. Kerr for this building. Future works should aim to implement these policies. 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, to assess their relative levels of significance on an international level.
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Local Government
Area		   DUAP
Region		   Historic
Region
South Sydney City   Sydney South   Sydney

Historical Significance:   One of the first two medical schools in Australia, and the first to be associated with a teaching hospital (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital).
Aesthetic Significance:   The Gothic Revival style Medical school visually complements the main quadrangle of Sydney University and is of considerable architectural significance in its own right. The detailing of the stonework of the original block is similar to that of Blacket's main quad building and the carving demonstrates a high standard of craftsmanship. The later stages also have significant carved decorative detail.
Social Significance:   For its continued use as a medical school.
Technical Significance:   A rear early example of the use of reinforced concrete construction (the spiral stair and walkways).
Rare Assessment:   Part of a rare group of Gothic Revival buildings, possibly the most significant group of its type in Australia. A rare example of a late nineteenth century medical school.
Representative Assessment:  
Intact Assessment:   Substantially intact externally (except for roof penetrations and infill to the lower courtyard). Modified internally.


State
Theme Code		  
Education  


Author   Title   Reference
Year		  
  Register of the National Estate and National Trust Listing Cards    
DPWS Heritage Group and Otto Cserhalmi & Partners, 1999.   Document - University of Sydney, Heritage Fabric Survey    
Dr J S Kerr   Anderson Stuart Medical School: a plan for its conservation (1992)    
     


Heritage
List Name		   Listing
Name		   Reference
Number		   Listing
Date		  
Register of the National Estate   Sydney University Main Building Precinct   001883   21/10/1980  
National Trust of Australia register   Anderson Stuart Building (part of Main Bldg Prec.)   N/A   02/08/1976  


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Caption:		   View of the Anderson Stewart Building from the east, 1983
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Caption:		   Historic view of the Anderson Stewart Building from the south
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Caption:		   View of the Anderson Stuart Building from the north, undated
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Caption:		   View of the Anderson Stuart Building from the north, 1999
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By:		   DPWS Heritage Design Services
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Caption:		   The south - western corner of the Anderson Stuart Building, 1999
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Caption:		   Medical School, Sydney University (after 1890)
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Caption:		   Anderson Stuart Building, pre 1910
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Caption:		   Sydney University Medical School, c1920s
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Caption:		   View of the Medical School from the west
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Caption:		   Phases of Development Plan, Anderson Stuart Building
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By:		   Otto Cserhalmi & Partners P/L
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