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 now-defunct 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][5]
| Bonython Hall | |
|---|---|
 Bonython Hall | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Great hall |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| Location | Adelaide, Australia |
| Address | North Terrace |
| Construction started | 1933 |
| Completed | 1936 |
| Cost | £50,000 |
| Owner | University of Adelaide |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Woods Bagot |
History
editThe hall was built in the period 1933-1936 as a result of a donation of over £50,000 from Sir John Langdon Bonython.[6] It was opened on 8 September 1936 by Governor-General Lord Gowrie and the first public lecture was held a week later.[7]
Folklore
editThere are many local legends about the building, with two being particularly resilient:
Bonython Hall is opposite Pulteney Street. 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.[8]
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][5]
Renovation works
editBeginning 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.[1][8][9]
Gallery
edit-
North Terrace, Adelaide, 1940. From left: National War Memorial, Institute, Mortlock Library, and Bonython Hall -
Bonython Hall (right) and the Elder Conservatorium -
Bonython Hall (left) & the Ligertwood Building -
Bonython Hall (looking west) and the Mitchell Building -
At night (looking east) -
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 -
November 2014
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References
edit- ^ a b "UN heritage award goes to Adelaide icon". University of Adelaide. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ "Bonython Hall, North Tce, Adelaide, SA, Australia - listing on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate (Place ID 6368)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. 21 March 1978. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ^ "Bonython Hall, The University of Adelaide (listing SA10878 )". Australia Heritage Places Inventory. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ a b Salkow, Howard (September 2005). "Helping a University treasure keep its cool". Adelaidean. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ a b "University Heritage Walk: Keith takes a walk in the Adelaide City region of South Australia". Postcards SA. NWS Nine. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
- ^ Pitcher, W. B. (1979). "Sir John Langdon Bonython (1848–1939)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 7. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ "Bonython Hall | Adelaidia".
- ^ a b "Heritage hall is green and cool". University of Adelaide. 15 December 2005. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ "Winners Announced for the 2007 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation". UNESCO. 11 September 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2009. [dead link]