|
---
|
Alice Springs Heritage Precinct
| Source: |
Go to the Register of the National Estate for more information. |
| Identifier: |
19853 |
| Location: |
Stuart Tce, Alice Springs |
Local
Government: |
Alice Springs Municipality |
| State: |
NT |
| Country: |
Australia |
Statement of
Significance: |
The precinct is an uncommon example of the planned development of a town as an administrative centre of the late 1930s. It contains the only formal period landscape in Alice Springs, and as well, is a rare representation of cultural history in demonstrating the early form of the town with its buildings, gardens, backyards and back laneways (Criterion B 2).
The precinct is important for conveying how the society of the 1930s was ordered in terms of housing, and the provision of services such as health, law and order, and remote area services (Sub-criterion a 4).
The buildings within the precinct are important technical examples of architectural solutions to arid living conditions, and have historical connections to notable architects (Criteria F 1 and H 1).
The buildings with their louvred ventilation and flywire screened verandahs, convey an important aesthetic associated with tropical and arid Australia (Criterion E). |
| Description: |
The precinct covers the 1938 extension of the Alice Springs
town boundary to the south. The extension was arranged to sensitively include
the rocky outcrop of Billy Goat Hill. The area includes residential allotments
and sites for a gaol and hospital. The residential blocks are large and at
their rear are generous service lanes. Between the residential blocks and the
institutional buildings to the south is a broad landscaped park area. At the
centre os this and at the end of Hartley street is a monument to explorer John
McDouall Stuart. Government housing most of the houses on the residential
blocks in Hartley and Bath Streets were designed by Government Architect BCG
Burnett and were built for senior Government employees. There were originalliy
five design types in the Precinct but now only four, AS3, AS4, AS5 and Single
Officers Quarters, are represented. These all brought a new architectural idiom
to Alice Springs with their perimeter verandahs, constructed of light weight
materials surrounding an inner core of concrete block construction. In summer
this allowed maximum advantage of cool breezes to disspate heat from the
central core. The centre cores have timber floors and these are surrounded by
concrete floors for the verandahs. In winter these concrete floors act as heat
stores. The as3 design is represented at Lots 174, 179, 180 and 182; the AS4
design is at Lot 183; and the AS5 at Lots 173 and 186. The single Officers
Quarters are located at Lots 7433 and 188. These latter are of a duplex design,
specifically for single Government employees. Like the other houses the core is
of concrete block construction with a light weight perimeter. The other
Government constructed building and the first to be erected in the Precinct is
located at Lot 185. This was designed by Government architect CE Davies
originally to house the senior surveyor. It is of square form, with solid core
and perimter verandah with internal rooms opening onto the verandah through
pairs of glazed doors of concrete block contruction, hip roof and concrete
piers for the verandah. The houses include large backyards, outdoor toilets,
back-lanes and gardens. Some of the front gardens retain heritage integrity of
original tree plantings and central concrete paths. Colonel Rose House a
privately constructed dwelling in the Precinct has important social
associations. Originally constructed from about 1940/2, this dwelling has
developed a distinctive character, which developed from 1955 when Colonel Rose
became the owner. From this period until his death in 1980 the house was
progressively altered and extended incorporating awide range of building
materials and amatuer construction methods to achieve a rambling character
expressive of its owner. Gaol complex the institutional buildings of the gaol
and hospital, designed by CE Davies also display an understanding of arid zone
design principles although they inlcude a higher use of masonary structures.
The Alice Springs gaol has had many additions and alteration made to it over
the years to cater for increasing needs. The basic design is a symmetrical
layout of buildings within a walled perimeter. All buildings exhibit arid
design philosophy with good ventilation and perimeter verandahs. Construction
is reinforced concrete and concrete block walls. Ventilated corrugated iron
roofs. Reinforced concrete ceiling to cells and iron grill ceiling to central
corridor of main cell block. Of the original 1938 design the following remain;
(1) Office - extended to the south. (2) Store - extended to the south. (3)
Entrance Gateway - timber gate replaced with concrete wall. (4) Female prison -
east verandah now enclosed, extended to the west. (5) Main Gaol Block - added
to on east and west; north and south verandahs partially filled. (6) Perimeter
Walling - largely intact; new opening on west side in about 1941. (7)
Padded/solitary Confinement Cell - although not on the original drawing, this
is contemporary with the original buildings. Gaoler's Residence - constructed
at the same time as the gaol to a design by Government architect hm Rolland.
Square form with solid core and perimter verandah, internal rooms opening to
verandah through pairs of glazed doors. Core and verandah peirs of concrete
block construction and hipped roof; formal garden. Many new buildings have been
erected with the gaol, mostly since 1968. Hospital complex Of the original
hospital buildings only the Community House (former Sisters Quarters), Medical
Enngineers Building (former Residence) remain. The Community House is of square
form with permiter verandah and central 'breezeway'. Construction is of
concrete block, concrete floors, hip roof of corrugated colourbond sheeting and
concrete block piers to verandah. The Medical Engineer Building was designed as
a ward building with central core containing nurses station in the centre with
two-bed ward either side, all surrounded by a wide verandah with toilet
facilities at one end. Construction is of concrete block, concrete floor, pitched
and ventilated roof, concrete piers to verandah. Adres House 'H' shaped plane
with central living room with large openinngs at each end. There is a perimeter
verandahconstructed with concrete block piers and base walling. Openings
between the piers were fitted with timber frames and flywire. Hip roof with
corrugated colourbond sheeting. The Royal Flying Doctor Seervice buildings,
also constructed at this time were commissioned from the Adelaide firm of
architects, Carode and Aeshton. The rfds base consists to two buildings, the
Directors Residence, which was the original building constructed in 1938/9 and
the Communication Base constructed in 1949. The Directors Residence is of
square form with solid core and perimter verandah. The core and verandah piers
are of concrete block and the hipped roof sheeted with corrugated colourbond. a
distinguishing feature of the rfds building is its front parapet with simple
Art Deco motif. The Comminications Base is of simple design compatible with the
first, with very similar entry/parapet detail and a verandah only on one side.
Of concrete block construction, concrete floors, hip roof and steel frame
windows. Landscape features Stuart Park is the only formal urban design element
in the town. The Memorial to Stuart, located within a circular round-about on
the AXIS of Hartley Street, serves as the focal point of the park. The original
ssymmetrical plan of the hospital is centrally aligned with the round-about.
Billy Goat Hill is a major landmark element in the precinct as well as being an
Aboriginal sacred site.
|
|
---
|
