Bonython Hall
Bonython Hall is the "great hall" of the University of Adelaide, located in the university grounds and facing North Terrace, Adelaide.[1] The building is on the Register of the National Estate and the South Australian Heritage Register.[2][3] It is primarily used for University graduation ceremonies, examinations, expositions and public lectures and meetings likely to draw large audiences.[4]
History
The hall was built in the period 1933-1936 as a result of a donation of over £50,000 from Sir John Langdon Bonython.[5]
Folklore
There are many local legends about the building, with two being particularly resilient:
Bonython Hall is opposite Pulteney Street, the only one of the city's north-south thoroughfares which does not continue north through the parklands. Folklore has it that the Bonython donation was made on the condition that a hall be built opposite Pulteney Street, thus blocking any future path through the parklands and preventing the division of the campus by a major thoroughfare.[6]
Folklore also maintains that the Bonython family were very conservative and did not want the building used as a dance hall. Hence, the hall was designed and built with a sloping floor rather than flat floor.[4]
Renovation works
Beginning in 2005, the University has been conducting renovation works. The quality of these works has been rewarded with an Award of Merit at the 2007 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.[6][7][1]
Gallery
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North Terrace, Adelaide, 1940. From left: National War Memorial, Institute, Mortlock Library, and Bonython Hall -
Bonython Hall (right) and the Elder Conservatorium -
Bonython Hall (looking west) and the Mitchell Building -
At night (looking east)
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The north end of Pulteney Street -
From the rear: Bonython Hall (left) and the Conservatorium -
From the rear: Bonython Hall (right) and the Napier Building -
L to R: Mitchell Building, Conservatorium, Bonython Hall
Reference
- ^ a b "UN heritage award goes to Adelaide icon". University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ "Bonython Hall". Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ "Bonython Hall, The University of Adelaide". Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ a b Salkow, Howard (September 2005). "Helping a University treasure keep its cool". Adelaidean. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ "Sir John Langdon Bonython". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ a b "Heritage hall is green and cool". University of Adelaide. 15 December 2005. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ "Winners Announced for the 2007 [[UNESCO]] Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation". UNESCO. 11 September 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
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