Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00620:body:0:p21
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00620
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 56651–59571

building now known as East Block, was completed first, in 1927.  'Secretariat No. 1' provided 2,579 square metres (27,760 square feet) of floor space and accommodated a telephone exchange, post office and space for 150 staff.  It was anticipated that the building might eventually be used as offices for Members of Parliament.[34]  Today it houses the National Archives of Australia.
In January 1925 the FCC Architects Branch reported that the construction of West Block had commenced:
Steady progress has been made by the contractors, Messrs Hutcherson Bros, in the erection of West Block (Secretariat No. 2), and the completion of the central blocks and south block should be affected by the end of July.  In order to give proper divisions for the various Departments who will be occupying this building, a large amount of coke breeze partitions [a light concrete building block made with cinder aggregate] have been erected and Ministerial Office(s) have been panelled.  The various mechanical services covering lifts, heating, electrical installation, and fire alarm system, are well advanced, and in some cases are now completed.[35]
It is assumed that construction would have been preceded by excavation works to level the sloping site, creating the embankment that remains to the east of West Block.
Although there was a preference for the two Secretariat buildings to be completed in time for the official opening of Parliament in May 1927, only East Block was ready in time.[36]  The fit-out of West Block was at least partially completed in August 1927, as reported in the 'Canberra News' section The Week periodical.[37]
Distinguishing characteristics of the architectural language adopted by Murdoch for the two buildings included the following (see Figure 9 and 1926 drawings at Appendix A):
      * Horizontal massing
      * Symmetrical façade divided into vertical bays
      * Classical proportions
      * Plinths and ground level treatments of face brickwork, with the upper levels rendered and painted white
      * Corner balconies and verandahs
      * A general absence of applied details, an exception being the Greek-pattern metal railings to the balconies and verandahs
      * Screened courtyards
      * Flat roof areas concealed by parapets
The design response was a pragmatic and well-resolved solution to the challenge of accommodating a variety of uses quickly.  The buildings are architecturally unpretentious, adopting a neutral, or official character; by the mid-twentieth century, the two buildings were recognised as early and influential examples of the Federal Capital style. See Section 3.2.1 for discussion of the Federal Capital style in Chapter 3).
While the two buildings were not mirror images in plan – possibly relating to their original uses, which were quite distinct (see discussion of West Block's original occupants at Section 2.5) – both East Block and West Block are