Larrakeyah Barracks Headquarters Building facts for kids

The Larrakeyah Barracks Headquarters Building is a special old office building in Darwin, Australia. It's located at Fullarton Place in Larrakeyah. This building is so important that it was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on June 22, 2004. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design.

History of Larrakeyah Barracks

The Larrakeyah Barracks started being built in 1934. This was one of the first big steps Australia took to protect its northern areas. Some smaller defence work began in the 1920s. But in 1934, construction started on living quarters for soldiers.

Darwin's Defence Build-Up

In 1939, the soldiers known as the Darwin Garrison were replaced. A new group called the Darwin Mobile Force took over. This led to serious construction of a large military base at Larrakeyah. This defence build-up completely changed Darwin. It went from a quiet, isolated town to a fast-growing, modern city. By late 1941, when the Pacific War began, about 10,000 service people were living in or near Darwin.

Building the Headquarters

The Headquarters Building itself was designed and built in 1940. A famous government architect named B. C. G. Burnett designed it. He had a big impact on how many buildings in Darwin looked during that time.

About the Headquarters Building

The Larrakeyah Barracks Headquarters Building (also called Building 196) is found at Fullarton Place. This is just off Allen Avenue, inside the Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin. It also includes the gardens around it.

Building Design and Features

Building 196 is a single-story building. It was designed in a style called "Moderne architecture," but adapted for the tropical weather. It has concrete walls and a strong iron roof. The roof used to be covered with asbestos cement. The building is designed to be very airy. It has high, wide rooms and fans to keep it cool. Even though the building is long, it's narrow. This helps air flow through easily, keeping it cool inside.

The building has an impressive entrance with a wall-like top, which suits its important role. There are also old guns on either side of the road leading up to it. Building 196 is a key part of the barracks area. It sits on a main pathway through the site and is in the very centre of the barracks. It's also next to the oval.

Building Condition and Care

Overall, the building is in fair condition. The steel inside the concrete has rusted. This has caused the concrete to crack and weaken, a problem called "concrete cancer." Repairs for this were happening in 2003. Air conditioning was added to the communications room in 2002. The Headquarters Building is used every day. Because of this, it needs regular care and maintenance. In April 2003, it was still very much in its original state.

Why it's a Heritage Site

The Larrakeyah Barracks Headquarters Building was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on June 22, 2004. It was listed for several important reasons:

Architectural Importance

The Headquarters Building, built in 1940, is special because of its design. It's a rare example of a public building made to suit a tropical climate. This was before air conditioning was common. It's also an early example in Darwin of Moderne architecture. This style combines modern looks with features that help in hot weather.

Connection to a Famous Architect

The building is important because it's linked to the well-known government architect, B.C.G. Burnett. He played a big part in shaping Darwin's buildings during that time.

Visual Appeal and Location

The Headquarters Building has an impressive entrance. Its central spot on a main path within the Barracks makes it visually important. It adds to the overall look and feel of the barracks area.

Historical Significance

The Headquarters Building is historically important. It shows the big increase in defence buildings before the Pacific War. It also represents Darwin's growth into a major city during that period.