POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Model of the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board Building

Object No. D10182

Model, Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board building, plywood / metal, possibly made by Budden and Mackey, Australia, 1937

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Summary

Physical Description

Wooden scale model of the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board Building constructed in Sydney in the late 1930s. The model is of unpainted plywood with metal trim to simulate window frames and sheets of thin plastic to simulate glass. It stands on a plain plywood base. The building itself has a relatively plain art deco facade with the 'Wilmott St' corner curved rather than squared off. There is also a central light well.

DIMENSIONS

Height

900 mm

Width

1100 mm

Depth

1100 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

The MWSDB Building in Pitt Street, Sydney (corner Bathurst Street) was designed in 1937 by Budden and Mackey. The building was completed in 1939. The building is notable for the quality of its materials and detailing, especially the bronze relief sculptures on the Pitt Street facade. Sydney's leading commercial practice of the 1930s, Budden and Mackey also designed Railway House at Wynyard and Transport House on Macquarie Street. The State Library of NSW holds a photograph by the Sam Hood studio of this model being finished in 1937; the photo was published in the journal Building.

HISTORY

Notes

This model, and an accompanying watercolour, pen and ink drawing (95/258/1), were acquired by the Museum in 1937, two years before the building was completed.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Presented by Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board, 1937

Acquisition Date

29 October 1937

Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.

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