Irwin Barracks

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Value:
The building is important to the community for its aesthetic characteristics (1.1) and for its landmark qualities (1.3)

Histo1ic Value:
The building is significant for its connection with the Second World War (2.2) and for its association with Lieut-Gen. Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs and his son Athol Hobbs (2.3)

Scientific Value:
The building is important for its potential to yield information on the defence history of WA (3.2)

Social Value:
The place is highly valued by the military community for social and educational reasons (4.1) and is important in contributing to a sense of place in the community (4.2)

Rarity:
The building is the only one of its type in Western Australia (5.1) and demonstrates distinctive aspects of military life and customs no longer practised (5.2)

Representativeness
The building demonstrates characteristics of a range of activities of the defence forces. (6.2)

Physical Description

This one-storey brick Art Deco styled building was designed by Athol John Hobbs and built by the Public Works Department in 1938. The pale blue-painted building is hip roofed with corrugated colour bond, the central section having a curved roof over. The building has brick pier foundations and is situated on land sloping from front to back with undercroft garages for artillery weapons at the back.

The front elevation has a smooth cement rendered wall to the bottom window level thereafter treated with rough stucco to the stepped parapet. This parapet feature is repeated at front and back of the middle section of the building. A decorative chevron and fan motif is repeated across the highest section of the building under which Hobbs Artillery Park, 3n1 Field Regiment is lettered in metal.

The building is symmetrically designed with 18 double sash windows in groups of Ss and 3s across the front. The entrance at the centre is recessed and has double glass doors with timber frames and a transom light over the original etching of the Artillery insignia.

The entrance opens on to foyer, beyond which is a large drill hall surrounded by balustrading. This impressive space has a coffered ceiling and opens onto the various offices and recreational rooms. The gun bays are located at the rear.

History

Assessment 1998, Hobbs Artillery Park Building only
Construction 1938
Architect/designer: Athol John Hobbs, Senior Partnere Hobbs, Winning
Builder: Public Works Department.
The building of Hobbs Artillery Park came about as The Australian Army Irwin Barracks had requested that the complete artillery be housed there. As well as a necessity to place the guns, the Barracks was also in need of s drill hall, an officer's mess, a sergeant's mess, an administration and office block. When the building was designed provision was made for extensive kitchens and 24 garages below the gun park.

The architect for Hobbs Artillery Parle was Athol Joseph Hobbs, son of Lieut General Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs, Commander of the Australian Army Corps and fo1IDder of the architectural partnership Hobbs Smith and Forbes, and for whom the building is named. (See Biography Lieut-Gen. Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs attached)

Conversations with architect John Hobbs (grandson of J.J.Talbot Hobbs) revealed very little about his father Athol Joseph Hobbs and the subsequent partnership of Hobbs Winning except that the other partner was Alec Winning and that the firm came into being towards the end of the 1930s.

A conversation with Gany Leighton (son of William T. Leighton who became a partner in 1946 when the name of the firm changed to Hobbs Winning and Leighton), offered a little more about the architectural firm According to Garry Leighton, Athol Hobbs worked until the late 1930s in the old firm of Hobbs Smith and Forbes which had by that time become Forbes and Fitzhard.inge. (After several changes of name that firm is today known as Cox Howlett Bailey and Woodland). Before the commencement of the Second World War, and with contracts in short supply, Athol Hobbs and Alec Winning left the firm of Forbes and Fitzhardinge and formed Hobbs and Forbes. With the commencement of the War, Athol Hobbs was subsequently called up for active service, leaving Alec Winning to deal with whatever work came into the office at that time. This was mainly government work. In 1944 Athol Hobbs returned to Perth from war service and to the architectural practice, after which time William T.Leighton was invited into the firm. Much later, in 1952, Garry Leighton joined the group as a partner, remaining there until 1%3 when he sold his share of the practice. After that time the firm continued to be known as Hobbs Winning Leighton and Partners and alternatively, Hobbs Winning (Australia). After the War, with William T. Leighton the expert draughtsman, the firm received many important commissions, including the extensions to the Perth War Memorial at Kings Park and the twin development of the Fremantle Port Authority and Passenger Terminal.

Gany Leighton surmises that the firm of Hobbs and Forbes came about around 1937.With the Hobbs' long standing family connection with the armed services, it is felt that the breakaway firm was a result of a contract which came through the Returned Soldiers League to Athol Hobbs personally to design the Artillery Barracks at Karrakatta. With the building dating from 1938 it was perhaps the only building designed solely by Hobbs with the newly formed firm before the commencement of the War and the enlistment of the architect to overseas service.
By the time the building was completed Hobbs' father Lieut-Gen Talbot Hobbs, who was commander in chief of the Australian corps at the end of the First World War, had died at sea on his way for France to attend the unveiling of the Australian War Memorial at Villiers-Bretonneux. (At the time his body had been brought back to Perth for a burial with State and military honours on the 14111 of May 1938.Wrth a memorial designed by Hobbs and Winning to be unveiled in 1940 on the Esplanade in Perth, it was thought fitting to name the Artillery Barracks after the architect/soldier..

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.