Nesca House

Item details


Name of item:	Nesca House
Other name/s:	University House
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Manufacturing and Processing
Category:	Industrial Office/Admin Building
Location:	Lat: -32.9278868622 Long: 151.7712660290
Primary address:	300 King Street, Newcastle, NSW 2300
Parish:	Newcastle
County:	Northumberland
Local govt. area:	Newcastle
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Awabakal

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	2		DP	225689

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
300 King Street	Newcastle	Newcastle	Newcastle	Northumberland	Primary Address
Auckland Street	Newcastle	Newcastle	Newcastle	Northumberland	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
University of Newcastle	University	29 Mar 99

Statement of significance:


	NESCA House is of state significance as an outstanding Art Deco building by the architect Emil Sodersten. The House is evidence of Newcastle's shift from a coal port to a heavy industry city. It is also intimately linked to perceptions of electricity in the 1930s as a novel energy source that was the way of the future. The Art Deco style, rather than a more traditional building, is a reflection of these perceptions.
	Date significance updated: 20 May 09
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Emil Sodersteen, with Pitt and Mereweather (building); RH Patterson (adjacent park landscaping)
Builder/Maker:	Ratcliffe & Kirsopp
Construction years:	1937-1939
Physical description:	N.E.S.C.A House was designed, by Emil Sodersteen, on contemporary English lines in keeping with the work of Wells Coates and George Coles (Collins, 1990; p5). Described as having a 'heavy, streamlined form', the 'new style was the streamlined functionalism of leading European architects' (Collins, 1990; p5). Structural drawings show the main buildings framework to be of concrete encased structural steel with mild steel reinforcing rods used throughout the structure. Concrete floors and some secondary floor beams appear to have been cast in-situ and were specified to use normal Portland cement, sand and course aggregate (Collins, 1990; p26).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	N.E.S.C.A House is in good condition although some of the significant fabric is in need of repair or maintenance (Collins, 1990; 28). Some of the original fabric has also been removed or relocated.
	Date condition updated:20 May 09
Modifications and dates:	The exterior of N.E.S.C.A House was altered by the removal of the original curved glass front windows in 1979, due to damage by water leakage. Slight earthquake damage was sustained in 1989 which is 'cosmetic' in nature and readily repairable (Collins, 1990; p27).


Current use:	University administration
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, Local government administration building, private offices

History

Historical notes:

In 1890, Newcastle City Council began to generate electricity for street lighting, moving in 1892 to establish a district supply, providing electricity to other neighbouring councils and to private consumers (Collins, 1990, 3). With the opening of BHP Steelworks in 1915, industrial development stimulated population growth in the area resulting in an increasing demand for power. By 1937, the Council's Electricity Department 'was providing over 87 million kilowatt hours of power and attracting annual revenue of (Pounds)450,000' (Collins, 1990, 3).

Outgrowing its office space in Newcastle City Hall, council decided, in 1937, to 'construct a separate administrative centre' (Collins, 1990; 3) for the Electricity Department, to be situated adjacent to the Town Hall. Selected by the delegates, Mayor, Alderman H. Fenton and Electrical Engineer, Guy Allbut, Emil Sodersteen (his name was changed to Sodersten by deed poll in 1941), who in 1927 achieved national prominence by winning the design competition for the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, was chosen as the architect to design the new building. His associates on the project were to be local architects, Pitt and Merewether.

The new building was to be designed to compliment the Town Hall (designed by theatre architect, H.E White) which was constructed in 1929. It needed to be, however, of a modern design, as Collins (1990; 4) explains: 'Electricity, which is now taken for granted completely, was still relatively novel in the 1930s. It was the age of electrical wonders, particularly of the cinema, and the documents explaining the building to the public are persuaded with the theme of progress through electricity. Thus, it would have been unthinkable for the Council's electricity administration centre to have been more traditional in design.' The new building would 'be modern, efficient, timesaving and functional', pulling together the city's many electrical departments into one building (Collins, 1990; 4). The building was to house a demonstration theatre, showroom, administrative and business offices and staff accommodation.

N.E.S.C.A House marks a new era in the architecture of Sodersten, his disillusionment with the skyscraper leading him to draw on English perspectives and European functional modernism for his future designs.

The interior decoration and layout of N.E.S.C.A House had much to do with Guy Allbut, who had toured American electrical facilities. Allbut was very taken with American perspectives and was a defining influence on the interior of the building.

Construction began in 1937 and, after significant delays due to water on the site and difficulty in obtaining the correct steel sections, the building was opened on 8 September 1938 by Hon. E.S. Spooner, former Minister for Works and Local Government.

Newcastle City Council Parks and Building Surveyor, Richard Henry (R.H.) Patterson's beautification work included showpiece central city gardens such as the parkland between City Hall and NESCA House. Patterson's design featured a diagonal central walkway between the two buildings, with garden beds for roses and annuals halfway along, in a circular design around the existing drinking fountain. It included seating under bays of pergolas hung with Bougainvillea, and shrubbery treatment along the northern part of the park to block the view of the proposed Council garage (James, 2015, 77-78).

In 1959 Shortland County Council assumed control of power supplies for the Hunter Region. In their new role they oversaw the construction of a three story addition to the rear of N.E.S.C.A House. During their tenure they also added a decorative tower in 1967 and in 1969 the theatre and demonstration centre were remodelled. Further remodelling occurred in 1970 when two floors were added to the 1959 addition and the original council chamber was revitalised for new purposes.

In 1979, in a move deplored by the National Trust, the curved windows were removed from the front of the building. The sandstone facing was also cleaned and re-caulked with silicone.

The Shortland County Council occupied the building until 1987, when the Council moved operations to Wallsend. In 1989, the building was used by Newcastle FM radio and by Suters Architects Snell, using the ground floor in 1990.

In 1995 the University of Newcastle established a library in the building. N.E.S.C.A House also houses collections of the Conservatorium: School of Music and Drama. More recently the building has also become the Graduate School of Business and the Newcastle Legal Centre. The building today is known as University House.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	(none)-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Communication-Activities relating to the creation and conveyance of information	Utilities-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Technology-Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences	Technologies for electrical supply-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in urban settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing civic infrastructure and amenity-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Distributing electricity-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - providing education-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - 20th century Art Deco/Jazz Age-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Emil Sodersteen, architect-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Richard Henry Patterson, Kurringai, later Newcastle Parks and Bldg.Surveyor 1926-48-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Richard Henry Patterson, Kurringai, later Newcastle Parks and Bldg.Surveyor 1926-48-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	NESCA House is of State significance as evidence of the development of Newcastle from a coal port into a heavy industry city and the subsequent increase in importance to the State's economy. The House is of State significance as evidence of the historical integration of electricity into society and the notion of "progress through electricity". The House is of State significance as evidence of the practice of local government activities and the shift through local and regional to state electricity supply.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	NESCA House is of State significance as the work of Emil Sodersten, an eminent architect of the 20th century.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	NESCA House is of State significance as an outstanding example of Art Deco style with tendency towards Functional Modernism. It expresses the change from traditional design towards the concepts of modern efficiency, timesaving and functional designs.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
CMP-Comment	Conservation Plan submitted for comment	CMP received from The University of Newcastle.		Mar 12 2015
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) OF THE HERITAGE ACT 1977 Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977. I, the Hon James Griffin MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales do by this Order, effective at the time of publication in the New South Wales Government Gazette: 1. revoke the order made on 9 November 2020 and published in the Government Gazette Number 318 of 13 November 2020; and 2. grant the exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 that are described in the attached Schedule. The Hon James Griffin MP Minister for Environment and Heritage Signed this 2nd day of June 2022. To view the standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 click on the link below.	Jun 17 2022

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00217	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00217	09 Nov 84	157	5466
Local Environmental Plan	Nesca House		08 Aug 03	124
National Trust of Australia register		4417
Royal Australian Institute of Architects register

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Newcastle City Wide Heritage Study	1996		Suters Architects Snell		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Collins, Barry	1990	NESCA House
Written	James, Dr. Peggy	2015	The Life and Works of Richard Henry Patterson

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045739
File number:	S90/01077 & HC 32403

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