Architecture, Building and Planning - Theses
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ItemAlexander Hamilton: architect, Colac( 1969)This thesis is an attempt to record the life and work of Alexander Hamilton, 1825-19011, a Scottish mill-wright who migrated to the Colony of Victoria in 1852 and who, relatively late in life, became an architect/builder practising at Colac. The role of Hamilton in the history of the Western District settlement and expansion is important. His nationality, political and religious character ensured that he was to be entrusted with the design and erection of a great many of the Western District homesteads, public, ecclesiastical and other buildings, built in the district in the period 1873-1901. Little was known of his work until this year. The results of my research will at least provide a thorough background for more detailed research on specific buildings he designed. My thesis includes a short history of the settlement of the district; a biography of the life of Alexander Hamilton; a comprehensive list of all recorded work he undertook in the role of architect/builder/engineer; a detailed study of representative public, ecclesiastical, residential and utilitarian buildings erected under the supervision of Hamilton, followed by a critical summary. As illustration a general photographic survey and sketches of his work are included, together with copies and transcripts of some of his original documents. The very character and quality of his work demand further study. However, my thesis does attempt to provide a general survey and analysis of his career, further substantiated by specific details of architectural and engineering undertakings, but, the time available, the geographic location of his work and the fact that many of his important works are in isolated regions or since demolished, has meant that only a representative cross-section of his work could be surveyed and recorded.
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ItemTrinity College: the first twenty years of building( 1966)Trinity, as it stands today, betrays little evidence of achievement or the unique. The ‘old College’, a pleasant collection of buildings, retires quietly behind its elms and ivy. One of the buildings is perhaps the finest example of Tudor architecture in Melbourne, but another, designed by a man intimately conversant with Gothic and the architect of the first buildings at Sydney University, is most disappointing. The ‘Mid-Victorian’ Gothic Clarke building is hardly what one would have expected from Edmond Thomas Blacket. These buildings and their various styles are a testimony of the many architects involved, four of whom prepared plans for the entire college. No more than the first stage of each scheme was ever completed. Begun prematurely in order to secure a Crown Grant of the land, temporarily reserved from sale for the purpose of erecting a Church of England College, Trinity was the first of its kind in Melbourne. Had it not prospered, it is doubtful whether the other denominations would have followed so soon after in the building of their colleges. Some 16 years after the founding of Trinity and 6 years after Ormond, the Rev. W. H. Fitchett at the opening of Queen’s College said, "had they ( Trinity and Ormond ) failed, the Methodists' would not have dared to have begun this great enterprise." However, although Trinity prospered, it did so without the benefit of large gifts and endowments. Its debts, some incurred at the very beginning, were not cleared until 16 years later. Indeed, lack of financial support was its most constant foe. (Preface)