Godfrey and Spowers

Godfrey and Spowers was an Australian architectural design firm[1] which operated during the early 20th century in Melbourne.

William Scott Purves Godfrey

William Scott Purves Godfrey

W.S.P Godfrey was born in Toorak on 6 April 1872. He was educated in Brussels and at Melbourne Grammar and studied Architecture at the University of Melbourne where he was articled to Joseph Reed of Reed, Henderson & Smart.[2][3] W S P Godfrey retired from practice in 1944. He died in August 1953, aged 81.[2]

Henry Howard Spowers

Henry Howard Spowers was born on 18 Jul 1872 in Melbourne, Vic., Australia. He died on 7 Jan 1933 in Hawthorn.[4] Spowers Trained with Charles d’Ebro.[2]

Firm History

In 1895, William Scott Purves Godfrey formed an architectural partnership with a surveyor named Howitt. They called their firm Howitt & Godfrey. After six years Howitt left and Henry Howard Spowers joined the firm. The firm was then registered as Godfrey and Spowers,[5] and shortly afterwards they moved into an office at 34 Queen Street, Melbourne.

Although a few commercial buildings were undertaken, until 1910 the firm’s practice consisted mainly of houses for the 'well-to-do', with coach-houses and servant’s wings.

The First World War slowed the growth of the firm. In the mid-1920s a number of commercial and industrial projects were carried out, most significantly the Argus Building, a newspaper office which is still standing on the north-west corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets.

After the war the firm built a large number of branches for the State Savings Bank of Victoria, and continues to do so to the present day. The Bank of New South Wales also became a client and Godfrey and Showers built many branches in the Victoria suburbs and the country.

Business at the company was slowed during the depression of the 1930s. In December 1932 Spowers died and in January 1933 William Purves Race Godfrey succeeded as partner. The Practice was commissioned to design the new Melbourne headquarters for the Bank of New South Wales,[6] and this building was the winner of the Street Architecture Medal for 1936.

During this decade the firm designed mainly residential buildings, along with is competition winning South Yarra Club project, a large warehouse for Bennie Teare Pty Limited, Studios for 3AW, and further works for Associated Dairies.

In 1941, the practice was suspended. W R Godfrey worked with the RAAF as a civilian architect in Melbourne and Sydney, while W S P Godfrey (Founder), who was then 69, carried out a few commissions for air-raid shelters and other requirements of ARP authorities until the war ended. W R Godfrey returned to Melbourne to recommence practice late in 1944. W S P Godfrey did not continue with the new firm, and retired from practice in 1944.[2]

In 1961, John M. Davidson was made a partner of the firm. He later became a director and eventually chairman.[7] At about this time the firm designed the National Mutual Building.[8]

Significant Buildings

The Argus Building, completed in 1926, is an office building of State historical and architectural significance. It was the former headquarters of Melbournes Argus newspaper. A classical cooling tower is a prominent feature of this building.[9][10]

The former Bank of New South Wales (Westpac Bank) building was constructed in 1929-30. The building is six storeys in height and located at 190-192 Bourke St Melbourne. The building is of the Interwar period and sits on a sandstone base. The use of Egyptian motifs and of decorative terra-cotta faience makes are unique in Melbourne.[11]

The company designed the Melbourne Grammar School in 1905. In 1908 they completed the Cuming Wing begun by Inskip and Butler in 1898. In 1910 the Ross Memorial Gates were built to form the Chapel Square. Later, in 1913, the company designed the Jubilee Wing.

Awards

View of Godfrey & Spowers' new Bank of New South Wales building, since demolished

1936 Street Architecture Gold Medal - The Bank of New South Wales at 368-374 Collins St.[12][13]

References

  1. ↑ Australian Mechanical Engineering. 50. Tait Publishing Company. 1962. p. 16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 History of Godfrey and Spowers Architecture Firm, Company Profile, History 1890 - Current
  3. ↑ Sunday Times (Perth, WA :1902 - 1954), Sunday 22 August 1909, page 2
  4. ↑ Obituary of Henry Howard Spowers, The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria : 1848 - 1957) 9 January 1933 page 6.
  5. ↑ Transition. Transition Pub.,. 1991.
  6. ↑ "New Bank Building for Northcote". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 October 1935 page 21.
  7. ↑ Europa Publications (2003). The International Who's Who 2004. Psychology Press. pp. 396–. ISBN 978-1-85743-217-6.
  8. ↑ Nation. 160-184. Nation Review. 1965. p. xxv.
  9. ↑ "Former Argus Building". Victorian Heritage Database. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  10. ↑ Masanauskas, John (April 18, 2013). "Famous Argus building site to be redeveloped". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  11. ↑ "Former Bank of New South Wales". Victorian Heritage Database. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  12. ↑ Nov 1936. Royal Victorian Institute of Architects Journal, "Gold Medal for Bank of NSW Building". pp138-139.
  13. ↑ "Medal for City Architects". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Friday 20 November 1936 page 8.
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