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Supreme Court of Victoria Architecture

Introduction

The Supreme Court of Victoria is part of a complex known as the Melbourne Law Courts, and is located at 192 Williams Street Melbourne, Victoria. The design for the building was the winning entry for a competition conducted by The Public Works Department [1]. The building design was revealed in 1873 and construction was carried out between 1874-82. The architects were the English immigrant duo Alfred Louis Smith (1830-1907) and Arthur Ebdon Johnson (1859-95) of Smith and Johnson [2]. In 1852 Victoria separated from New South Wales and became an independent colony complete with its own Constitution and judicial institutions [3]. The Supreme Court of Victoria signifies the formation of these institutions and the preservation of the Constitution in Victoria. The mid 19th century Victorian Gold Rush financed the construction of many grand public buildings. The Supreme Court exemplifies this though its Renaissance Revival Style on an imposing scale. It is architecturally significant for being part of the largest court buildings in Australia constructed to a single design. The planning behind the functional division of different groups of courts was unparalleled.

Description

The Supreme Court of Victoria is located on the corner of Lonsdale and William Streets, Melbourne. This junction also locates the Melbourne Magistrates' Court and the County Court of Victoria [4]. These buildings known collectively as The Melbourne Law Courts comprise a complex of two story brick constructions, resting on a Malmbury bluestone and Tasmanian freestone base [1]. The combination stone base is acknowledged for the expert masonry craftsmanship used in its construction. The site is contained within a square block with a court positioned at each of its corners. Additional courts are located along the lateral, north and south wings. Administration offices and Judges Chambers enclose a circular central courtyard from which rises the Supreme Court Library with its central tower and dome.

Key Influences and design approach

Johnson and Smith were English immigrants who designed public buildings in a Classical style. Their design for the Melbourne Supreme Court is no exception, and draws on the style of Renaissance Revival Architecture. The Library tower is particularly expressive of this style with its three floors appropriating to form a base, piano nobile and attic story. It has been proposed that following suggestions by Chief Justice William Stawell, that the the building may have had design origins in James Gandons Four Courts building in Dublin[1].

References

Walking Melbourne.[1]

Smith and Johnson. [2]

Supreme Court Victoria. [3]