Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01869:reg:4:p28
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01869
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 28/63)
Character Range: 425204–428107

was also designated as a 'provisional' structure, it was intended to serve as the nation's Parliament for about 50 years, with a possible later role for some decades as a government office building. These considerations signified that, for the purposes of design and construction, the building should be treated almost as a permanent structure. From the point of view of longevity and appearance, building techniques such as frame and plaster or materials such as weatherboard, iron and fibro cement were thus unacceptable; brick would be the preferred building medium, with concrete foundations. But in

    17      Griffin, 'The Federal Capital. Report Explanatory of the Preliminary General Plan', October 1913, p. 6; Griffin, Building, 12 January 1914, p. 66.
    18      Griffin in evidence to PSCPW, 'Report … relating to the proposed Erection of Provisional Parliament House, Canberra', p. 114.
    19      PSCPW, 'Report … relating to the proposed Erection of Provisional Parliament House, Canberra', p. xx.
    20      WI Emerton, 'Report by the Secretary of the Joint House Department', 7 September 1956, in 'The Case for a Permanent Building', Canberra, Government Printer, May 1957, p. 7; McDonald, Canberra Historical Journal, March 1985, p. 23.
  accordance with its provisional nature, it would have for the most part, as Sulman pointed out, '11-inch hollow exterior walls and 4 1/2-inch inside walls, so that it will really belong to the cottage class of building'.21

  As the building was intended to last for at least 50–100 years and would occupy such a prominent position in the Canberra layout, it was essential that it was a dignified structure possessing aesthetic qualities befitting its role and location. On the other hand, the need to keep costs down, coupled with a wish to avoid turning the building into an architectural jewel that might preclude later demolition, dictated that it should not be a lavish or ornate structure. In the words of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee, 'the external architecture would be simple, but decorous'.22 To fit these strictures, Murdoch produced a design in Stripped Classical style which, apart from the moulding of its cornice, left the building free of external decorative features. It was Murdoch's intention that the classical proportions and other classical elements would give the building the dignified appearance desired of it. This would be enhanced by a plain white plastering of the external walls. Murdoch himself described the whole design as characterised by 'plainness' and referred to it rather apologetically as a 'rush job'. Owen was somewhat more positive, saying that Murdoch's design aimed 'to obtain effect with simple lines, and without expensive architectural embellishment' and that it did not 'provide any features purely for the gaining of effect'.23

  The design of the building was also influenced by