Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01868:reg:2016:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01868
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2016 (pt 4/11)
Character Range: 533828–536487

flush on faces and screwed underside. Back legs 1-3/4" 1-1/4" shaped and tapered to detail.
Rails to be 3-1/4" x 1-1/4" rebated at bottom, shaped as shown, and tenoned into legs and screw blocked. Back to be hollow with rails shaped and tenoned into legs and 1/4" 3 ply backing as shown. Chamfered blocks to be stump tenoned together. Slip in seat to have 1-1/8" thick framing tenoned together. Seat to have best English webbing, clouted on, and be sprung with not less than six locked springs, well laced.
Best house canvas to be used and seat and back to be all hair stuffed with best curled horsehair. Chair to be covered in best quality hide to approval with studs to match on back. Woodwork to be polished as per schedule.

  The design of the Chambers in Old Parliament House had a significant impact on the design of the furniture which was to be placed in it. Murdoch preferred a Westminster style of parallel seating in the belief that the public should be able to see a Minister addressing the House but his views were overlooked by the Standing Committee who chose a horse-shoe layout, not unlike that in Washington DC. This meant that the furniture had to fit around a semicircle, presenting a difficult design and manufacturing challenge.

  In the case of the some items of furniture such as the desks and seats for the Chambers, sample items were made and delivered so that the Members could inspect and comment on their design. On the strength of their recommendations, a number of alterations were made to the final design, including the location of the inkwells, the widening of the depth of the seat, ventilation for the circulation of heated and cooled air, the alignment of the drawer below the seat and the installation of a receptacle for waste paper.90

  Functionality was a key consideration in the design of many items for Provisional Parliament House, the issue of furniture related to the responsibilities and duties of the occupant of a position. Office furniture was designed to a hierarchical formula, the higher level of importance of the position, the larger the item, the better the timber. For example, the Usher of the Black Rod had greater entitlements within the building than did a minister. It can be assumed from the following list that the Usher had the services of a typist, while ministers relied on a typing pool or support staff elsewhere. The Usher had need of a wardrobe in which to keep his ceremonial robes. The following comparison of the two entitlements illustrates the differing roles.91

    89      Specification of Furniture for Dining Block, Federal Parliament House, Canberra. Contract No. 2,