Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01306:reg:48:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01306
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 48 (pt 2/2)
Character Range: 92642–93907

granite at the base. Morris and Casboulte had deliberately chosen this type of granite for its 'warmer colour-effect', in preference to the 'colder greys' of more common types of granite. Granite was also used in the construction of the front steps. Internally, black marble that

  had been obtained from a quarry about two hundred metres away on Acton Flats was used in the tiling and on the pilasters of the foyer. The Institute is the only building that contains this type of marble, as the Acton quarry was barely able to provide sufficient stone before it was exhausted.51

  The principal design motif for the interior of the building was the chevron, a signature Art Deco feature. This motif was employed in the designs of air bricks, ventilators, electric light fittings and architraves, as well as in the pattern of paving stones on the floor of the foyer. In April 1949, the then Director of the Institute, Dr Frederick W. Clements, described the chevron motif as a 'conventionalised boomerang'. It is not clear whether this was his own interpretation of the chevron motif or whether he had derived this information either directly or indirectly from Morris. Unfortunately, Morris was not much given to providing explanations for his design decisions.52