Question: What if buildings could talk? Science House might tell tales of scientific collaboration.
Science House stands here a heritage-listed commercial building. It is located at 157-169 Gloucester Street and Essex Street. This is in The Rocks, a suburb of Sydney.
Let’s step back to the early 20th century. Three major scientific organizations in NSW needed a central headquarters. Sharing facilities was just a dream since the 1870s. World War I and financial constraints kept delaying the plan. Finally in 1926 they formed a joint committee.
In July 1927 the NSW Government granted the site. An architectural competition followed in 1928. Peddle Thorp and Walker won. They designed an Inter-war Commercial Palazzo style building. It was a rare style in Sydney.
Listen to what the adjudicator said about the Science House design. “Remarkably in accord with the conditions, a special feature being its economy. The design shows cleverness, a thorough insight into the requirements of the promoters.”
Governor Game laid the foundation stone in June 1930. By January 1931, Science House was complete. John Grant & Sons built it within a budget of 45000 pounds. The builders ensured the structure could handle future expansions.
The Royal Society of NSW held its first general meeting here on May 6, 1931. Other scientific bodies soon joined. These included The Australian Chemical Institute and The Australian National Research Council.
Did you know Science House won the inaugural Sulman Medal in 1933? The Council of the Institute of Architects of NSW awarded it to Peddle, Thorp and Walker.
During World War II, a small hall on the ground floor became an air raid shelter. Plans to add three storeys in 1953 never happened.
From 1978 to 1991, the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation occupied the building. It was then known as “Sports House”. The large auditorium still hosted talks. It housed 11000 books and journals about sports. There were even 1000 films.
Major renovations took place in 1995-96. The Australian Centre for Languages then occupied Science House until 2007. New York University even had a campus here for a while.
Look closely at the building’s design. Science House features a concrete-encased steel frame. The external walls don’t bear the load. The facades on Gloucester and Essex Streets have three architectural zones. They mirror the Florentine Early Renaissance palazzo style.
Notice the ground floor with ashlar sandstone masonry. The piano nobile stretches through three floors with simple brickwork. The attic storey showcases more decoration.
Inside, the walls are mostly plain with painted plaster. The floors are original timber. The ceilings feature moulded plasterwork.
Science House has undergone many changes. It has always retained its heritage. Today, Science House stands as a testament to Sydney’s scientific and architectural history. It received the first Sulman Award of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, New South Wales chapter in 1932.