Urban Taskforce Chief Executive, Tom Forrest, has slammed the hypocrisy of Ryde Council who are speeding towards the demolition of a classic mid-century office building that has all the character of a scene from Madmen, Bewitched or Get Smart – the Ryde Civic Centre.
“This is the only building constructed in the 20th Century in the entire Ryde LGA worth preserving – and Council are knocking it over and replacing it with a community Centre and facilities that have the architectural merit of a concrete toilet bowl”, Mr Forrest said.
“Where is the Australian Institute of Architects on this? Where is DPIE? Where is the Heritage Council and the Office of Heritage NSW?”, Mr Forrest asked.
Urban Taskforce sought the views of the former NSW Government Architect, Chris Johnson. Mr Johnson’s review of the heritage value of this important building are attached below.
Critically, Mr Johnson finds:
“The Ryde Civic Centre, designed by Buckland and Druce, is a classic example of the post-World War 2 International Style. It was opened with great fanfare in 1964, only two years after the heritage-listed AMP tower at Circular Quay, with which it shares key design characteristics. The subtle curve and the gridded glazing pattern of the curtain-wall facade are very similar to the AMP building and the location on a ridge in Ryde gives this civic centre a dramatic appearance and iconic symbolism as the centre of governance for the Ryde area.”
“Ryde Council has been quick to use Heritage as a fig-leaf for NIMBY rejections of private sector development – but when it comes to their own history, they run down the asset then rush for the bulldozers”, Mr Forrest said.
“This is a disgrace. The site is not even listed as a heritage item – while other items of highly questionable heritage value have been listed (see Chris Johnson’s Report). The tram tracks on Blaxland Rd are listed as State Significant – but this office icon of mid-century post war modernism has been wilfully neglected.
“If a developer did this they would be hung out to dry. The hypocrisy is disgusting. We deserve better from Ryde Council and all those involved.
“The same rules need to apply to everyone. A heritage asset as significant as the Ryde Civic Centre should be preserved. The demolition is due to begin next Monday. There is still time for those with even a passing interest in heritage to have a say”, Mr Forrest said.
COMMENTS ON RYDE CIVIC CENTRE
By Former NSW Government Architect Chris Johnson
BACKGROUND
There has been local controversy over the Ryde Civic Centre where Ryde Council has voted to demolish the building so that a new competition winning design can be built. The Mayor of Ryde – Jerome Laxale, used his casting vote to progress the demolition and redevelopment after a group of five councillors called for an extraordinary meeting to discuss deferring the project.
The Civic Centre is not on council’s Heritage List but it is clearly a significant building both in its architectural expression and in its impressive location on a ridge looking over the municipality. Having looked at the building’s history and at its relativity to other buildings of that era, including the AMP tower on Circular Quay and Council House in Perth, I believe the building should not be demolished and have put together the following statement.
STATEMENT
“The Ryde Civic Centre, designed by Buckland and Druce, is a classic example of the post-World War 2 International Style. It was opened with great fanfare in 1964, only two years after the heritage-listed AMP tower at Circular Quay, with which it shares key design characteristics. The subtle curve and the gridded glazing pattern of the curtain-wall facade are very similar to the AMP building and the location on a ridge in Ryde gives this civic centre a dramatic appearance and iconic symbolism as the centre of governance for the Ryde area.”
“Amazingly the City of Ryde Council has approved the demolition of the building and refuses to accept that it has any heritage significance. A quick look at the Ryde heritage listings shows that a substation at 293 Pittwater Road or a fountain at the junction of Blaxland and Victoria Roads are on council’s heritage list as well as a couple of single storey shops at 113-115 Tennyson Road. Yet a seriously important modernist building like the Civic Centre misses their cut?”
“Council could keep this significant building and develop a new civic centre on another site if councillors feel the need for a fresh architectural statement. While metropolitan councils must encourage new development this needs to be balanced against the importance of protecting icons from the past.”
“An outstanding example of preserving a modernist-style council building is the preservation of the 1963 Council House in Perth. The building now has colourful new facade lighting and is promoted in tourist publicity as one of Perth’s great 20th century modern landmarks.”
ILLUSTRATIONS
Ryde Civic Centre as it looks today (opened 1964)
Ryde Civic Centre – circa 1960s
The Heritage Listed AMP Building at Circular Quay (1962) has strong similarities to the Ryde Civic Centre (1964)
Council House in Perth (1963) has been preserved as a heritage item
