Transport House, Sydney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Transport House |
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| Location | 19-31 York Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Henry Budden & Mackay |
| Architectural style(s) | Inter-war Art Deco |
| Official name: Transport House; Railway House; Greenhouse; Wynyard SRA Offices; Wynyard Walk | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1271 |
| Type | Office building |
| Category | Government and Administration |
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The Transport House is a special old office building in Sydney, Australia. You can find it on York Street in the heart of the city. It's also known as Railway House, Greenhouse, or the Wynyard SRA Offices. This building is privately owned. It was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's protected because of its important history and design.
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The Story of Transport House
Transport House used to be called Railway House. It was designed by architects Henry Budden & Mackay. The building was finished in 1936. The way it was built caused some discussion at the time. However, everyone loved its look and design. People said it was colorful but not too much. They also thought it was modern but not extreme.
The building was made to hold all the different offices of the Railway Department. It even had the Commissioner's special office. There was also a unique "Trouble Room" for solving problems. The outside of the building is very interesting. The ground floor is covered in a dark stone called trachyte. Above that, you'll see green-colored terracotta tiles. Green was chosen because it was the color of the railways.
The windows have cool bronze frames. You can also see wrought iron railings and metal window covers. These were made by the railway's own workshops. Transport House won two big awards. It received the Sir John Sulman Medal in 1935. It also won the Royal Institute of British Architects Medal in 1939. Over the years, parts of the inside have changed. This includes the lifts and the main entrance areas. A big change was when a wall was removed. This allowed access to the building next door.
What Does Transport House Look Like?
Transport House is a tall building with twelve floors. It has a strong steel frame. It sits right above Wynyard railway station. The building was designed in a style called Inter-war Art Deco. This style was popular in the 1930s. It often features bold shapes and decorative details.
The front of the building is wide and not perfectly even. It has horizontal lines of large bronze-framed windows. A tower stands out with vertical lines. This creates a nice contrast. Above the ground floor, the outside is covered in green terracotta tiles.
The building has two main entrances. These entrances include stairs and escalators. They lead directly down to Wynyard station. Inside, some of the original office spaces are still there. They have beautiful wooden details and fancy plaster ceilings. The windows on the first floor are special. Each one has its own unique design.
This building is a great example of 1930s office architecture. It won the Sulman Medal in 1935. It also won the RIBA Medal in 1939. Transport House is part of a group of similar-sized buildings. You can still find parts of the old underground railway spaces nearby. These were also designed by H. E. Budden & Mackey.
Why is Transport House Important?
Transport House is a very important building. Its size and beautiful design show how important the railway system was to Sydney and New South Wales. It also shows how government offices were brought together in one place.
Transport House is one of the best-preserved Art Deco buildings in Sydney. It was one of the first buildings in the Sydney central business district to fully show the Art Deco style. It's an important work by the famous architects H. E. Budden and Mackay. They won the Sulman Medal in 1935 and the Royal Institute of British Architects Medal in 1939 for this building.
Many of the original office interiors are still in great condition. The building is special because of its large size. It's also rare for its wide use of green terracotta tiles. Many people think it's the most impressive building in Sydney with these tiles. It's a major part of the look of the Wynyard Square area.
Protecting Transport House
Transport House was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This listing helps to protect the building. It ensures that its important history and unique design are preserved for the future.
