Christ Church Grammar School

Child Places

• 08046 Walters House - Christchurch Grammar School
• 04355 Three London Plane Trees
• 17283 Three Trees in Grounds of Christ Church
• 04354 38 London Plane Trees
• 15685 Christ Church Grammar School Honour Roll
• 08045 Parry House - Christchurch Grammar School

Statement of Significance

ARCHITECTURAL ACCOMPLISHMENT At the time, school chapels were seen as an important icon to distinguish the concept of the private church schools from the contemporary government institution. The design of the building was an adventurous choice by the School authorities and provided a number of additional benefits. In planning terms, the external approach works well as a large assembly space for the school, in addition to being a vital component ini the progression of formality from the noisier school environs to the quitter sanctity of the Chapel. Internally the multi-functional role of the building has achieved its design requirements. The ‘theatre in the round’ concept for worship, assembly, music and theatrical performances is successful. Careful consideration for acoustics, natural ventilation, good sight lines, lighting and solar penetration are exemplary for this period. The replacement of the traditional reredos with the breathtaking view is memorable for visitors and participants. Materials of quality have been utilised in a restrained manner, carefully combined and assembled with attention to the quality and dirability of finish reflecting a perceived long life for the building and the philosophy it represents. The building was acknowledged as distinguished architecture by the Western Australian Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in awarding the Bronze Medal Award in 1970. DEMONSTRATION OF A WAY OF LIFE, CUSTOM, PROCESS OR FUNCTION The philosophy of the design brief in conveying the concept of a Chapel with other important functions including spaces for the teaching of music, theatre assembly and other performances, in a contemporary format purveys its significance. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The building of the CCGS Chapel reflects the concern of the private school sector over the increasing secularisation of society and the apparent breakdown of ‘traditional’ values in the 1960’s. This led to a call by the Headmaster’s Conference of Australia for private schools to re-emphasise the religious values that underpinned their foundation. The call was heeded in Perth where Aquinas College (1966), Scotch College (1968), Hale School (1969) and CCGS (1970) built chapels at this time. SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE The building is important to the social and philosophical structure of the school and is a centre for a variety of community function. SCARCITY VALUE The building is a fine example of School Chapel designs executed in the period, exhibiting in this case a multi-functional role.

Physical Description

When completed the Chapel stood alone. The design format accepted by the School family eventually set the parameters for the design and use of materials in the continuing development of the school campus. The resolute application of these parameters has resulted in a homogenous built environment. The Chapel no longer stands alone and is now an integral part of the whole. The pre-war ‘blood and bandages’ buildings that still stand have been renovated and their external appearance conforms to the parameters stated by construction of the Chapel. Two projecting walls forming the forecourt and approaches provide the necessary protection from prevailing winds that are prevalent on the relatively exposed site. Few physical changes have been made to the building since it was completed in 1970. These are confined to the internal planning of the lower floor to provide teaching space for the Music Department.

History

Assessment 1995 (Chapel) Built 1970 Architect: John Lidbury of Hobbs Winning Australia Builder: P H Prosser The possibility of a multi-use school chapel was first broached in May 1968. This was a period of self-analysis in the architectural world, a period in which, in the opinion of some members of the community, left a lot to be desired. The 60’s continued a movement born prior to the war in which architectural design philosophy was being looked at long and hard, and as a result the philosophy behind the CCGS Chapel was to adhere to the demands of the brief with the constraints of paying lip service to the physical appearance of the pre-war building already on campus – in other words to start afresh. The main contributing factor to the design of the Chapel was of course the site. The magnificent view overlooking the Swan River had to be exploited. Thanks to the wisdom of the School Council and no doubt after great and lengthy debate the site was chosen close to the escarpment, despite the objections of some who maintained that the Chapel – the spiritual fulcrum of the school - should be centrally located and readily visible to the general public. It is interesting to note that the School Council had to be satisfied that when built, the Chapel could be seen from Stirling Highway. This requirement has been partly negated with the advent of the new Junior School completed in 1985. The initial design concept selected by the School Council was one of six submitted in competition, the majority of which were traditional, some with ‘gothic overtones’. The structure that exists today could well have been one of several, the final decision being made by the School Council. When considering the initial concept, the Architects decision to abandon ‘tradition’ could have resulted in the design not being accepted by the School Council. In fact, it was initially discarded and then reinstated – because it was not viaully sympathetic and did not pay homage to the immediate built environment – that is it was not considered’ good mannered’. The one significant factor that swung opinion in favour of the concept embraces the need for the School to cater for large external gatherings. The concept provided a satisfactory venue for conducting the annual speech night assembly in the forecourt of the chapel. Speech nights had entailed the costly and time consuming chore of erecting temporary screens on the main school oval. The provision of a forecourt was not asked for in the brief. The other factor which may have swayed the School Council in its selction of the design due to a break in tradition, made it possible to treat the south face of the nave each side of the sanctuary with clear glazing, thereby exploiting the superb view of the Swan River and nearby Freshwater Bay. Traditionally, the stained glass window, amongst other things, encouraged contemplation and provided adornment. The use of clear glass in this environment does the same in a contemporary manner. The Chapel was completed and dedicated in 1970. A 50 cent coin dated 1970 was soldered onto the top of the copper cross above the Chapel, a spontaneous gesture by the craftsman who fashioned the cross.

Uses

Historic Themes

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