University House | |
---|---|
Location | 300 King Street, Newcastle, City of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
Coordinates | 32°55′40″S151°46′17″E / 32.9279°S 151.7713°E |
Built | 1937–1939 |
Architect | Emil Sodersteen in association with Pitt and Mereweather |
Owner | University of Newcastle |
Official name | Nesca House; University House |
Type | State heritage (built) |
Designated | 2 April 1999 |
Reference no. | 217 |
Type | Industrial office/admin building |
Category | Manufacturing and processing |
Builders | Ratcliffe & Kirsopp |
University House is a heritage-listed building in Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. [1] Located on the corner of King Street and Auckland Street, it was designed by architect Emil Sodersten in association with local architectural practice Pitt and Merewether. An example of Art Deco style, the design was inspired by the streamlined functionalism of contemporary architecture in Europe. [1]
The building was constructed between 1937 and 1939 for the Newcastle Electricity Supply Council Administration and was originally known as N.E.S.C.A House. [1] The interior, designed by Guy Allbut, originally comprised a demonstration theatre, showroom, offices and staff accommodation. [1] In 1959, when Shortland County Council became responsible for electricity supply in the Hunter Region, they constructed a three-storey extension at the back of the building. A tower was added in 1967 and remodelling was carried out in 1969 and 1970. [1] After the council vacated the building in 1987, a radio station and an architectural practice moved in. The building only sustained cosmetic damage during the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. [1] In 1995, the University of Newcastle established a library there. [1] It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. [2]
In 1890, Newcastle City Council began to generate electricity for street lighting, moving in 1892 to establish a district supply, providing electricity to other neighbouring councils and to private consumers. [3] With the opening of BHP Steelworks in 1915, industrial development stimulated population growth in the area resulting in an increasing demand for power. By 1937, the Council's Electricity Department "was providing over 87 million kilowatt hours of power and attracting annual revenue of £450,000". [3] [2]
Outgrowing its office space in Newcastle City Hall, council decided, in 1937, to construct a separate administrative centre for the Electricity Department, to be situated adjacent to the Town Hall. [4] Selected by the delegates, Mayor, Alderman H. Fenton and Electrical Engineer, Guy Allbut, Emil Sodersteen (his name was changed to Sodersten by deed poll in 1941), who in 1927 achieved national prominence by winning the design competition for the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, was chosen as the architect to design the new building. His associates on the project were to be local architects, Pitt and Merewether. [2]
The new building was to be designed to complement the Town Hall (designed by theatre architect, H.E White) which was constructed in 1929. However, the building had to have a modern design, as electricity was still relatively novel in the 1930s and the building needed to embody the concept of progress through electricity. Thus, it would have been unthinkable for the Council's electricity administration centre to have been more traditional in design. [5] The new building would "be modern, efficient, timesaving and functional", pulling together the city's many electrical departments into one building. [6] The building was to house a demonstration theatre, showroom, administrative and business offices and staff accommodation. [2]
N.E.S.C.A House marks a new era in the architecture of Sodersten, his disillusionment with the skyscraper leading him to draw on English perspectives and European functional modernism for his future designs. [2]
The interior decoration and layout of N.E.S.C.A House had much to do with Guy Allbut, who had toured American electrical facilities. Allbut was very taken with American perspectives and was a defining influence on the interior of the building. [2]
Construction began in 1937 and, after significant delays due to water on the site and difficulty in obtaining the correct steel sections, the building was opened on 8 September 1938 by Hon. E.S. Spooner, former Minister for Works and Local Government. [2]
In 1959 Shortland County Council assumed control of power supplies for the Hunter Region. In their new role they oversaw the construction of a three-story addition to the rear of N.E.S.C.A House. During their tenure they also added a decorative tower in 1967 and in 1969 the theatre and demonstration centre were remodelled. Further remodelling occurred in 1970 when two floors were added to the 1959 addition and the original council chamber was revitalised for new purposes. [2]
In 1979, in a move deplored by the National Trust, the curved windows were removed from the front of the building. The sandstone facing was also cleaned and re-caulked with silicone. [2]
The Shortland County Council occupied the building until 1987, when the Council moved operations to Wallsend. In 1989, the building was used by Newcastle FM radio and by Suters Architects Snell, using the ground floor in 1990. [2]
In 1995 the University of Newcastle established a library in the building. N.E.S.C.A House also houses collections of the Conservatorium: School of Music and Drama. More recently the building has also become the Graduate School of Business and the Newcastle Legal Centre. Currently known as "University House", the building now accommodates the University of Newcastle Legal Centre, the Newcastle Business School and the Watt Space Gallery. [7] [8]
The exterior of the building appeared in the 2006 film Superman Returns as ""Newhart Federal Bank"", the scene of a bank robbery. [9]
N.E.S.C.A House was designed, by Emil Sodersten, on contemporary English lines in keeping with the work of Wells Coates and George Coles. [10] Described as having a "heavy, streamlined form", the "new style was the streamlined functionalism of leading European architects". [10] Structural drawings show the main buildings framework to be of concrete encased structural steel with mild steel reinforcing rods used throughout the structure. Concrete floors and some secondary floor beams appear to have been cast in-situ and were specified to use normal Portland cement, sand and coarse aggregate. [11] [2]
It was reported to be in good condition as at 20 May 2009, although some of the significant fabric is in need of repair or maintenance. [12] Some of the original fabric has also been removed or relocated. [2]
NESCA House is of state significance as an outstanding Art Deco building by the architect Emil Sodersten. The House is evidence of Newcastle's shift from a coal port to a heavy industry city. It is also intimately linked to perceptions of electricity in the 1930s as a novel energy source that was the way of the future. The Art Deco style, rather than a more traditional building, is a reflection of these perceptions. [2]
Nesca House was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. [2]
The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.
NESCA House is of State significance as evidence of the development of Newcastle from a coal port into a heavy industry city and the subsequent increase in importance to the State's economy. [2]
The House is of State significance as evidence of the historical integration of electricity into society and the notion of "progress through electricity". [2]
The House is of State significance as evidence of the practice of local government activities and the shift through local and regional to state electricity supply. [2]
The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history.
NESCA House is of State significance as the work of Emil Sodersten, an eminent architect of the 20th century. [2]
The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.
NESCA House is of State significance as an outstanding example of Art Deco style with tendency towards Functional Modernism. It expresses the change from traditional design towards the concepts of modern efficiency, timesaving and functional designs. [2]
Newcastle, also commonly referred to as Greater Newcastle is a large metropolitan area and the second-most-populous such area of New South Wales, Australia. It includes the cities of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and it is the hub of the Lower Hunter region, which includes most parts of the cities of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, and Port Stephens Council. Newcastle is also known by its colloquial nickname, Newy.
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is a national war memorial and museum dedicated to all Australians who died as a result of war. The AWM is located in Campbell, a suburb of the Australian capital of Canberra. The grounds include five buildings and a sculpture garden. Most of the museum galleries and commemorative areas are contained in the Memorial Building.
The Anzac Memorial is a heritage-listed war memorial, museum and monument located in Hyde Park South near Liverpool Street in the CBD of Sydney, Australia. The Art Deco monument was designed by C. Bruce Dellit, with the exterior adorned with monumental figural reliefs and sculptures by Rayner Hoff, and built from 1932 to 1934 by Kell & Rigby. This state-owned property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 April 2010.
Australian non-residential architectural styles are a set of Australian architectural styles that apply to buildings used for purposes other than residence and have been around only since the first colonial government buildings of early European settlement of Australia in 1788.
The Newcastle Civic Theatre, also known as The Civic, is a heritage-listed building located on Hunter Street, Newcastle, Australia. Opened in 1929, the 1520-seat theatre is now the venue for a wide range of musicals, plays, concerts and dance events each year and is the city's oldest surviving theatre.
Archaeological evidence indicates that human beings have inhabited the area around Newcastle, New South Wales for at least 6500 years. In 2009, archaeologist uncovered over 5,534 Aboriginal artefacts, representing three occupation periods. In the 1820s, the Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld worked with local Awabakal man Biraban to record the Awabakal language. Since 1892, the Indigenous people of Newcastle have come to be known as the Awabakal.
Emil Lawrence Sodersten was an Australian architect active in the second quarter of the 20th century. His work encompassed the Australian architectural styles of Art Deco and Functionalist & Moderne. His design for the Australian War Memorial was "the first national architectural monument in Australia". The Australian Institute of Architects presents the Emil Sodersten Interior Architecture Award annually in his honour.
The Newcastle City Hall is a heritage-listed building located in the regional New South Wales city of Newcastle in the Hunter region in Australia. The building served as the city hall for the Council of the City of Newcastle between 1929 and 1977.
David Surrey Gibson Littlemore AO was one of Australia's most distinguished architects. Littlemore was one of the first life fellows of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. He was head of construction supervision in the consortium Hall Todd & Littlemore appointed by the NSW Government Architect to complete the Sydney Opera House in April 1966 when Mr Jørn Utzon resigned his commission from the NSW Government. Peter Hall was design architect and Lionel Todd was responsible for contract documentation.
Electricity Substation No. 167 is a heritage-listed electrical substation at 93 Parramatta Road, Auburn, Cumberland Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built from 1924 to 1929 by the Municipal Council of Sydney, with the City Architect being responsible for the design. It is also known as #167 'AUBURN' 33KV ZONE SUBSTATION. The property is owned by Ausgrid. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 May 2008.
The Scone Civic Theatre is a heritage-listed cinema at 144 Kelly Street, Scone, Upper Hunter Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Guy Crick and Bruce Furse and built from 1937 to 1938 by Mr A. F. Little. The property is privately owned. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 21 February 2003.
Horbury Hunt Hall is a heritage-listed church hall at 52a Church Street, The Hill, Newcastle, City of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Horbury Hunt and built in 1878. It is also known as Christ Church Anglican Cathedral Hall. The property is owned by the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Electricity Substation No. 269 is a heritage-listed electrical substation located at 36 Anglesea Street, Bondi, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Walter Frederick White, City Architect's Office and Municipal Council of Sydney and built in 1928 by the Municipal Council of Sydney. The property is owned by Ausgrid. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 May 2008.
The Electricity Substation No. 349 is a heritage-listed electrical substation at 2S Frances Street, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Walter Frederick White, City Architect's Department and Municipal Council of Sydney and built during 1930 by J Rutherford. It is also known as #349 Princes Street substation. The property is owned by Ausgrid. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 May 2008.
Kyle House is a heritage-listed commercial office at 27-31 Macquarie Place, in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by C. Bruce Dellit and built during 1931 by Stuart Bros. The property is privately owned. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
AMA House, Sydney or the Australian Medical Association House, Sydney is a heritage-listed former medical office and library and now commercial offices located at 135–137 Macquarie Street in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Fowell & McConnel and built from 1929 to 1930 by Messrs Hutcherson Bros. It was formerly known as BMA House or the British Medical Association House. The property is privately owned. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Challis House is a heritage-listed commercial building located at 4–10 Martin Place in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
The Trust Building is a heritage-listed office and commercial building and former hotel located at 72-72a Castlereagh Street, in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by firm Robertson & Marks and built from 1914 to 1916 by Stuart Brothers. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
The Red Cross House is a heritage-listed former commercial building and now Australian Red Cross and blood transfusion centre located at 153-159 Clarence Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Samuel Lipson, architect, in conjunction with Robertson and Marks and McCredie and built from 1937 to 1938 by Kell & Rigby. It was originally built for the firm of S. Hoffnung & Co.
Newcastle Government House is a heritage-listed former military post and official residence and now park and psychiatric hospital at 72 Watt Street, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as Newcastle Government House and Domain, Newcastle Military Barracks & Hospital, Newcastle Industrial School for Girls, Reformatory for Girls, Lunatic Asylum for Imbeciles, James Fletcher Hospital and Fletcher Park. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 March 2011.
This Wikipedia article contains material from Nesca House , entry number 00217 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 1 June 2018.