Ainslie School Building, Canberra - a photo on Flickriver

            The current school building was built in 1938 and is a fine example of the era's Art Deco style, especially in the symmetrical facade, chevron ventilators, front foyer and library mural. It was designed by Cuthbert Whitley under the direction of Chief Architect E H Henderson of the Dept of the Interior Works and Services Branch.

It is on the Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture which says:

A fine example of a symmetrically-composed school building of the late 1930's Art Deco style, with a central 2-storey section, stepping up to the vertical entrance element.  Characteristics of the Art Deco style are apparent in the details of the facade and interior, and as represented by the library mural and entry foyer.

The structure is rendered brick with a red brick base, with a well-articulated facade, which has recesses and projections to achieve verticality at the entrance, aided by a variety of parapet heights along the flat roof.  Art Deco details and styling include arrow-like ventilators and fluted elements externally and internally.

From ACT Art Deco Walk Brochure:

This beautiful Art Deco school, designed by Cuthbert Whitley for students from the new suburbs of Ainslie, Braddon and Reid, opened in 1938. 

Symmetry and balance characteristic of Art Deco is evident in the semicircular driveway, the plantings of trees and shrubs, and most strikingly in the balanced façade of the building itself, its roof hidden behind parapet walls. 

Every element is in balanced harmony: from the wings and recesses that gracefully step down from the central portico to the windows, the attractive grooved rain heads, the down pipes and even the different sized chevron air vents. Instead of disguising these practical features, they are made central to the design and decoration in a marriage of form and function. 

Balance between horizontal and vertical elements is a key feature. Verticality is enhanced by narrow setbacks in the façade, by elongated windows, rain heads and down pipes. 

In the central portico, the vertical glazing bars are emphasised in the window, front door, and the fluted columnar mouldings either side of the central window. 

Horizontal features can be seen in the lines along the top of the parapet wall, the blocks framing the entrance door, the horizontal glazing bars in the windows, and the lines where the red brick base meets the rendered walls. 

Some features tie horizontal and vertical elements together. Look at the zigzag mouldings at each corner of the central parapet, repeated at the top of the central window and above the entrance doors.  A similar effect is achieved by the scalloped moulding above the first side windows and around the Art Deco eyebrow feature over the porch as well as by the curved balcony railings. 

You will find many examples of ‘the rule of three’ in this building. Note how often Whitley has used six as a coordinating number, within the metal windows and in the numbers of windows in the different wings.

Other features to look for include the bronze door and lights that frame it, the flagpole, the terrazzo door step, and the school lettering with its characteristic Art Deco font with low-waisted E, A and H.

Taken on: December 4, 2016

Tags:

ACT

Architecture

Art Deco

Deco

Cuthbert Whitely

E H Henderson

Canberra

Australia

Building

Braddon

Interwar Period

Ainslie

Ainslie School

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Camera:	Panasonic DMC-FZ150
Aperture:	f/4.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/800)
Focal Length:	11mm
ISO:	100
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