Bonython Hall

Bonython Hall
Bonython Hall
General information
Type Great hall
Architectural style Gothic
Location Adelaide, Australia
Address North Terrace
Construction started 1933
Completed 1936
Cost £50,000
Owner University of Adelaide
Design and construction
Architect 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 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]

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.[7]

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][7][8]

References

  1. 1 2 "UN heritage award goes to Adelaide icon". University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  2. ↑ "Bonython Hall (listing RNE6368 )". Australia Heritage Places Inventory. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  3. ↑ "Bonython Hall, The University of Adelaide (listing SA10878 )". Australia Heritage Places Inventory. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  4. 1 2 Salkow, Howard (September 2005). "Helping a University treasure keep its cool". Adelaidean. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  5. 1 2 "University Heritage Walk: Keith takes a walk in the Adelaide City region of South Australia". Postcards SA. NWS Nine. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  6. ↑ "Sir John Langdon Bonython". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  7. 1 2 "Heritage hall is green and cool". University of Adelaide. 15 December 2005. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Winners Announced for the 2007 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation". UNESCO. 11 September 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-12.

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

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