Bonython Hall
Bonython Hall
General information
TypeGreat hall
Architectural styleGothic
LocationAdelaide, Australia
AddressNorth Terrace
Construction started1933
Completed1936
Cost£50,000
OwnerUniversity of Adelaide
Design and construction
Architect(s)Woods Bagot

Bonython Hall is the "great hall" of the University of Adelaide, located in the university grounds and facing North Terrace, Adelaide.[1] The building is on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate and the South Australian Heritage Register.[2][3] It is primarily used for University graduation ceremonies, examinations, expositions and public lectures and meetings likely to draw large audiences.[4][5]

History

The hall was built in the period 1933-1936 as a result of a donation of over £50,000 from Sir John Langdon Bonython.[6] It was opened on 8 September 1936 by Governor-General Lord Gowrie and the first public lecture was held a week later.[7]

Folklore

There are many local legends about the building, with two being particularly resilient:

Bonython Hall is opposite Pulteney Street. Folklore has it that the Bonython donation was made on the condition that a hall be built opposite Pulteney Street, thus blocking any future path through the parklands and preventing the division of the campus by a major thoroughfare.[8]

Folklore also maintains that the Bonython family were very conservative and did not want the building used as a dance hall. Hence, the hall was designed and built with a sloping floor rather than flat floor.[4][5]

Renovation works

Beginning in 2005, the University has been conducting renovation works. The quality of these works has been rewarded with an Award of Merit at the 2007 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.[1][8][9]

References

  1. 1 2 "UN heritage award goes to Adelaide icon". University of Adelaide. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  2. ↑ "Bonython Hall, North Tce, Adelaide, SA, Australia - listing on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate (Place ID 6368)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. 21 March 1978. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  3. ↑ "Bonython Hall, The University of Adelaide (listing SA10878 )". Australia Heritage Places Inventory. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  4. 1 2 Salkow, Howard (September 2005). "Helping a University treasure keep its cool". Adelaidean. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  5. 1 2 "University Heritage Walk: Keith takes a walk in the Adelaide City region of South Australia". Postcards SA. NWS Nine. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  6. ↑ Pitcher, W. B. (1979). "Sir John Langdon Bonython (1848–1939)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 7. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  7. ↑ "Bonython Hall | Adelaidia".
  8. 1 2 "Heritage hall is green and cool". University of Adelaide. 15 December 2005. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  9. ↑ "Winners Announced for the 2007 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation". UNESCO. 11 September 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2009.

34°55′14″S 138°36′19″E / 34.920548°S 138.605396°E / -34.920548; 138.605396

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