Bank of New South Wales, 190-192 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Among the early terracotta facades in the CAD and the second design in the Egyptian revival style (after 4th Victorian Building Society), popularised prior to this design by the opening of Tutankhamen's tomb by Howard Carter in 1922 (see also Theosophical Society Building, 1936-7).
Title:
Bank of New South Wales, 190-192 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 101205
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
Period: Inter-WarConstruction date: 1929Notable features: Terracotta facing, Egyptian themed detail.ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryFrom an old colonial banking company came this exotic and fashionable Egyptian design, hot on the heels of similar terracotta-clad fantasies, designed by the redoubtable Harry Norris in the early 1920s (e.g. the Nicholas Building, Swanston Street, 1925-6). Architects, Godfrey and Spowers, had designed earlier and equally distinguished banks for the company, notably the Arts and Crafts inspired design in King Street (qv). The innovative designer, Robert Haddon, appears to have been employed by Godfrey and Spowers in this earlier design but Haddon's Egyptian predelictions (see Fourth Victorian Building Society Building, 1912) may not explain the Bourke Street design, given his death in the year it commenced.A masonic hall at Camberwell arrived in the Egyptian style at about the same time, whilst Godfrey and Spowers designed another <$Ineo- Egyptian>neo-Egyptian bank in City Road in 1932.DescriptionVertical glazing strips, with intermediate spandrels, are early precursors to the continuous curtain walling used in Barnett's Building (qv). Here the facade and glazing's simplicity is contemporary with the neo-Grec designs of the period particularly the impressive colonade and use of saltire-cross motif but the most obvious stylistic theme is that of the Egyptian revival with the crowning papyrus cornice and the spread wings of the magical scarab. Terracotta faience easily achieves both the solidity and mellow colouring of stone and the jewelled ornament of the old Nile. Whilst weathered bronze joinery reinforces the ancient mood.External IntegrityA sympathetically designed illuminated sign is new, as are a mounting number of ad-hoc signs. The ground level interior was renovated in 1959- 60. An automatic teller machine was installed central to the ground level facade in 1989, cutting through the window sill and displacing a large area of polished granite stonework.StreetscapeVertical fenestration is shared by the Mid-City Cinema and the 1930s design to the east.SignificanceAmong the early terracotta facades in the CAD and the second design in the Egyptian revival style (after 4th Victorian Building Society), popularised prior to this design by the opening of Tutankhamen's tomb by Howard Carter in 1922 (see also Theosophical Society Building, 1936-7)..(Victorian Heritage Register HO799)What is significant?The former Bank of New South Wales building was designed by architects Godfrey and Spowers in 1929 and the building was occupied two years later. Six storeys in height, the faience-clad facade on a sandstone base is derived from ancient Egyptian models in terms of details and proportions. The decorative terra cotta work is set in a rebated frame, which gives subtle prominence to the composition of pilasters and frieze. The ground floor is divided into three sections by sandstone columns with fluted shafts. The columns support a frieze and balcony, with a projecting balcony above. Five storey pilasters are capped by Egyptian-inspired capitals. Above this there is a frieze of carved palm fronds that also acts as a terminating cornice, capping the building. Structurally the building is constructed with a reinforced concrete. The interior of the banking chamber has been altered but the stairwell remains intact.How is it significant?The former Bank of New South Wales building is of architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The former Bank of New South Wales building is architecturally significant for exemplifying the architectural eclecticism and exoticism of the late 1920s and early 1930s. It is very unusual for the application of Egyptian motifs. It is an excellent example of the use of decorative terra-cotta faience, which was a popular cladding material in the inter-war years..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites RAIA 20th Century Architecture Register; source 76,p15;NIGEL LEWIS DECEMBER 1976, HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF THE CENTRAL CITY OF MELBOURNE BOURKE STREET, EAST AREA 8 OF THE SURVEY COMMISSIONED BY THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL: 38BANK OF N.S.W.M23 L99L99 190 Bourke StreetThis bank building was designed in 1929 by Godfrey and Spowers. 1 The building was occupied in 1931. Some sheets of the original drawings have been microfilmed and are in the possession of Godfrey and Spowers.2 The terracotta facade is in excellent condition and is one of the most elegant and exotic of this type of building in the city. The details and proportions are derived from Egyptian models. The decorative work is set in a rebated frame which gives subtle prominence to the composition of pilasters and frieze. The ground floor is divided into three sections by Egyptian columns, with the bronze doors echoing the theme. The columns support a frieze and- balcony, above which rise five storey high pilasters terminating in Egyptian inspired capitals. The motif on the frieze is a winged solar disc which is an Egyptian symbol of protection, most appropriate for the building's use. Above this is the most elegant and delightful element of the composition - a frieze of curved palm fronds that also act as a terminating cornice, capping the building. The palm frond design was originally used as a decoration device for capitals, and endows the building with the feeling of a monolithic column. The interior of the banking chamber has been altered but the stairwell remains intact.RECOMMENDATION:The facade of this building is recommended for inclusion on the Historic Buildings Register on the basis of its elegant, well conceived design and' intactness. The detailing is an individual expression of Egyptian motifs well adapted to the facade' of a modern banking chamber. The colour and texture of the terracotta facing add to the composition.(Notes)1. Stephenson and Andrews: Office Buildings in Melbourne. History E:ssay, Melbourne University School of Architecture. Note that they dated it incorrectly as 1928.2. Information courtesy of Mr. Godfrey of Godfrey and Spowers..
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1189469
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 101205 | 1 PDF : 1,892 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |