George Temple-Poole
Encyclopedia
George Thomas Temple-Poole (born George Thomas Temple, 29 May 1856 – 27 February 1934) was a British architect and public servant, primarily known for his work in Western Australia
from 1886.
As Western Australia
's Government architect, in a period of rapid urban development during the gold boom
, he made notable contributions to Australian architecture and town planning prior to federation
. His designs for public space and buildings are often identified and preserved by local councils and heritage registers. He also held roles relating to town planning, commerce, the Arts
and 'society' of Western Australia. His founding and chairing of committees and institutions included; the Western Australian Institute of Architects (later merged to the RAIA
), Perth Park (Kings Park
Board) and the Wilgie Sketching Society.
. His mother remarried, altering his surname to Temple-Poole. He was educated at Winchester College
in England
. Articled in engineering and architecture to a London
engineering firm designing harbour works for the Thames, he then practised in Sri Lanka Ceylon for two years before being appointed to the Public Works department in Western Australia
.
) designed a 'series' of public buildings that were constructed in and around ports, towns and suburbs of Western Australia during the Federation Period c. 1890 - c. 1915. While his work was largely influenced by contemporary British movements, Poole contributed in the development of the Australian architectural response to environment and circumstances. He provided a unifying style to the public buildings as government established its presence throughout Western Australia. His buildings influenced residential and non-residential architecture in the state regional centres.
Poole was also an artist, painting in watercolours and oils and was the founder of the Wilgie Sketching Club (1889). He was a prominent Freemason, Anglican and member of the Weld Club
, an important member of the Perth establishment.
Appointed by the British government as a Supervisor for the Public Works department in 1885, he became head of department in 1889, then assistant-engineer-in-chief and 'government architect' in charge of public buildings.
The discovery and exploitation of gold and other mineral wealth during his period resulted in increased migration and associated commerce. Prior to this, the colony then state's growth was modest in comparison.
His designs for were often built in emerging towns, sometimes in very remote areas such as the north west of Australia. One of his first projects was Roebourne
(over 2000 km from Perth) and its port Cossack
. The gaol complex, designed in 1886, for that place was an 'unusual octagonal' design and featured the use of verandah
s, planned (replacing haphazard) siting in a complex, locally quarried freestone walls and slave labour by those to be incarcerated.
In 1894 Temple-Poole created design standards for 'official' and 'public' buildings including bank
s and assay offices, etc., in the 'gold boom' towns Coolgardie
, Marble Bar
and Cue
. These works were sometimes the first permanent structure in locations occupied by 'shantie' and other improvised buildings thereby creating centres of government and commerce in what became larger towns and cities in Western Australia.
The siting or replacing of court
s, gaols, police stations and other buildings around the state was also occurring at this time, following the establishment of 'responsible government' from Perth
. He also supervised and designed new buildings or additions for the established towns Albany
, the port; Fremantle
, the centre of government; Perth and other parts of Western Australia. To meet the significantly increased population, post offices, schools, lighthouses and town halls were constructed in this period. Architectural reference was made to earlier colonial buildings, gracefully acknowledging the prior colonial architects, but existing ones were often removed to site the new plan. Large scale harbour, railway and other planning schemes were also realised during his time as 'government architect', and these also required new buildings and structures.
Poole's work contained a variety of design approaches that could display the new government's authority or facilitate public works and schemes. In contrast, plans such as the identical village railway precincts of Claremont
and Walkaway
have been identified as examples of Federation Arts and crafts
. Claremont was to become a population centre 'halfway' between the port of Fremantle and the city. Walkaway, the end of a 400 km railway from Perth, was abandoned, becoming a tourist destination occupied only by National Trust
guides.
Poole resigned from the position of government architect in 1897 but returned from 1900-1902 to finalise works on the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme
after the death of its author C Y O'Connor
.
Temple-Poole started a private practice (architectural) with Christian Mouritzen and designed private residences for himself and wealthy clients. His residence, Tagel, overlooking the Swan River from Crawley (Kings Park), was in an English Arts and Crafts
style. This burnt down, destroying almost all his private documents and art, but a similar design by him is extant in Cottesloe (Kulahea).
He was also appointed as one of three commissioners to design the new British capital in India (New Delhi
) but ill health forced him to decline. This position was taken up by renowned English architect Edwin Lutyens
.
Along with his second wife, artist Daisy Mary, he was amongst the overlapping memberships of the new clubs and groups that were forming in Perth at that time. The Wilgie Sketching club promoted local subjects, flora and fauna, and a shift from imitation of English styles and subject matter (Wilgie means coloured clay in an aboriginal dialect). He was well known to the wider community and referred to in the newspapers of the day, including editorial cartoons, and his fame extended to the Eastern States and the 'home country'. They had one daughter and resided in Crawley and Claremont. He retired to the arts and literature community centred around the hills village of Darlington
where he died in 1934.
Other examples of Poole's work are:
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
from 1886.
As Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
's Government architect, in a period of rapid urban development during the gold boom
Australian gold rushes
The Australian gold rush started in 1851 when prospector Edward Hammond Hargraves claimed the discovery of payable gold near Bathurst, New South Wales, at a site Edward Hargraves called Ophir.Eight months later, gold was found in Victoria...
, he made notable contributions to Australian architecture and town planning prior to federation
Federation
A federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...
. His designs for public space and buildings are often identified and preserved by local councils and heritage registers. He also held roles relating to town planning, commerce, the Arts
ARts
aRts, which stands for analog Real time synthesizer, is an audio framework that is no longer under development. It is best known for previously being used in KDE to simulate an analog synthesizer....
and 'society' of Western Australia. His founding and chairing of committees and institutions included; the Western Australian Institute of Architects (later merged to the RAIA
Raia
Raia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
), Perth Park (Kings Park
Kings Park, Western Australia
Kings Park is a park located on the western edge of Perth, Western Australia central business district. The park is a mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza with two thirds of the grounds conserved as native bushland. With panoramic views of the Swan...
Board) and the Wilgie Sketching Society.
Early life and education
George Temple-Poole was born in Rome, Italy to Louise Mary, née Poole, and John George Temple, a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army. Poole's father died shortly after the family returned to England following the Crimean WarCrimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
. His mother remarried, altering his surname to Temple-Poole. He was educated at Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Articled in engineering and architecture to a London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
engineering firm designing harbour works for the Thames, he then practised in Sri Lanka Ceylon for two years before being appointed to the Public Works department in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
.
Works and life
Poole (the surname he used in PerthPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
) designed a 'series' of public buildings that were constructed in and around ports, towns and suburbs of Western Australia during the Federation Period c. 1890 - c. 1915. While his work was largely influenced by contemporary British movements, Poole contributed in the development of the Australian architectural response to environment and circumstances. He provided a unifying style to the public buildings as government established its presence throughout Western Australia. His buildings influenced residential and non-residential architecture in the state regional centres.
Poole was also an artist, painting in watercolours and oils and was the founder of the Wilgie Sketching Club (1889). He was a prominent Freemason, Anglican and member of the Weld Club
Weld Club
The Weld Club is a gentlemen's club in Perth, Western Australia, founded in 1871 by members of the establishment of Perth. It was named after the then Governor of Western Australia, Sir Frederick Weld with the club building designed by Talbot Hobbs and constructed in 1892.-External links:*...
, an important member of the Perth establishment.
Public works
The discovery and exploitation of gold and other mineral wealth during his period resulted in increased migration and associated commerce. Prior to this, the colony then state's growth was modest in comparison.
His designs for were often built in emerging towns, sometimes in very remote areas such as the north west of Australia. One of his first projects was Roebourne
Roebourne, Western Australia
Roebourne is an old gold rush town in Western Australia's Pilbara region. It is 202 km from Port Hedland and 1,563 km from Perth, the state's capital. It prospered during its gold boom of the late 19th century and was once the biggest settlement between Darwin and Perth...
(over 2000 km from Perth) and its port Cossack
Cossack, Western Australia
Cossack is an historic ghost town located 1,480 km north of Perth and 15 km from Roebourne in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The nearest town to Cossack is Wickham. At the 2006 census, Cossack had a population of 236....
. The gaol complex, designed in 1886, for that place was an 'unusual octagonal' design and featured the use of verandah
Verandah
A veranda or verandah is a roofed opened gallery or porch. It is also described as an open pillared gallery, generally roofed, built around a central structure...
s, planned (replacing haphazard) siting in a complex, locally quarried freestone walls and slave labour by those to be incarcerated.
In 1894 Temple-Poole created design standards for 'official' and 'public' buildings including bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s and assay offices, etc., in the 'gold boom' towns Coolgardie
Coolgardie, Western Australia
Coolgardie is a small town in the Australian state of Western Australia, east of the state capital, Perth. It has a population of approximately 800 people....
, Marble Bar
Marble Bar, Western Australia
-North Pole:An ironically named locality nearby is known as North Pole , no doubt for its heat. It is the location of rock formations considered to have evidence that puts the origin of life on earth back to 3,400–3,500 mya, due to stromatolites in particular rock sequences...
and Cue
Cue, Western Australia
- Further reading:* 'Along the Cue railway. Inspection of line with suggested improvements, visit to Georgina Siding'. West Australian, 11 June 1898, p. 5-External links:* *...
. These works were sometimes the first permanent structure in locations occupied by 'shantie' and other improvised buildings thereby creating centres of government and commerce in what became larger towns and cities in Western Australia.
The siting or replacing of court
Court
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
s, gaols, police stations and other buildings around the state was also occurring at this time, following the establishment of 'responsible government' from Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
. He also supervised and designed new buildings or additions for the established towns Albany
Albany, Western Australia
Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, some 418 km SE of Perth, the state capital. As of 2009, Albany's population was estimated at 33,600, making it the 6th-largest city in the state....
, the port; Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
, the centre of government; Perth and other parts of Western Australia. To meet the significantly increased population, post offices, schools, lighthouses and town halls were constructed in this period. Architectural reference was made to earlier colonial buildings, gracefully acknowledging the prior colonial architects, but existing ones were often removed to site the new plan. Large scale harbour, railway and other planning schemes were also realised during his time as 'government architect', and these also required new buildings and structures.
Poole's work contained a variety of design approaches that could display the new government's authority or facilitate public works and schemes. In contrast, plans such as the identical village railway precincts of Claremont
Claremont, Western Australia
Claremont is a western suburb of Perth, Western Australia on the north bank of the Swan River.-History:Prior to European settlement, the Noongar people used the area as a source of water, for fishing and for catching waterfowl. In 1830, John Butler, a settler, set up an inn at Freshwater Bay to...
and Walkaway
Walkaway, Western Australia
Walkaway is a small town in the City of Greater Geraldton local government area of Western Australia. At the 2006 census, Walkaway had a population of 262....
have been identified as examples of Federation Arts and crafts
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
. Claremont was to become a population centre 'halfway' between the port of Fremantle and the city. Walkaway, the end of a 400 km railway from Perth, was abandoned, becoming a tourist destination occupied only by National Trust
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
guides.
Poole resigned from the position of government architect in 1897 but returned from 1900-1902 to finalise works on the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme
Goldfields Water Supply Scheme
The Goldfields Water Supply Scheme is a pipeline and dam project which delivers potable water to communities in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields, particularly Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie...
after the death of its author C Y O'Connor
C. Y. O'Connor
Charles Yelverton O'Connor CMG was an Irish engineer who is best-known for his work in Australia, especially the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme.-Early life:...
.
Later roles
After resigning from this position he continued to have an important role in public life; founding or chairing professional organisations and government committees. This is a range of examples:- Perth Park Board, first chair and plan for Kings ParkKings Park, Western AustraliaKings Park is a park located on the western edge of Perth, Western Australia central business district. The park is a mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza with two thirds of the grounds conserved as native bushland. With panoramic views of the Swan...
. Preserved from development and exploitation of resources, as John Septimus RoeJohn Septimus RoeJohn Septimus Roe was the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia. He was a renowned explorer, and a Member of Western Australia's Legislative and Executive Councils for nearly 40 years.-Early life:...
originally proposed. He planted lemon-scented gum trees at centennial celebrations ceremony. - Institute of architects (WAIA), president/founded in 1896. Founding meeting at Criterion Hotel, Perth; Michael Cavanagh - vice president; John Talbot HobbsTalbot HobbsLieutenant General Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs KCB, KCMG, VD was an Australian architect and First World War general.-Early life:...
- first treasurer and later president. There had been approximately a dozen practising architects in 1896 Perth and over one hundred within a couple of years. IncorporatedIncorporation (business)Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
1902
- Town Planning association developing a widely discussed plan "Perth as it should be" in 1911, generating interest and debate amongst the general public. His wife Daisy, also a member, continued to promote this plan.
- The company, Perth Tramways, was floated in 1899. This was the first tram system in the state and continued to run for many years affecting the development of surrounding suburbs.
- Poole was to chair an international competition for design of a new National capital and Parliament in CanberraCanberraCanberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
but planning was postponed during World War 1. He also chaired or spoke at interstate and international conferences and lectured at universities and public meetings.
Temple-Poole started a private practice (architectural) with Christian Mouritzen and designed private residences for himself and wealthy clients. His residence, Tagel, overlooking the Swan River from Crawley (Kings Park), was in an English Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
style. This burnt down, destroying almost all his private documents and art, but a similar design by him is extant in Cottesloe (Kulahea).
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
) but ill health forced him to decline. This position was taken up by renowned English architect Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
Along with his second wife, artist Daisy Mary, he was amongst the overlapping memberships of the new clubs and groups that were forming in Perth at that time. The Wilgie Sketching club promoted local subjects, flora and fauna, and a shift from imitation of English styles and subject matter (Wilgie means coloured clay in an aboriginal dialect). He was well known to the wider community and referred to in the newspapers of the day, including editorial cartoons
Darlington, Western Australia
Darlington, Western Australia, is a locality in the Shire of Mundaring on the Darling Scarp, dissected by Nyaania Creek and north of the Helena River.- Location :...
where he died in 1934.
Notable works
- Albany Cottage HospitalAlbany Cottage HospitalAlbany Cottage Hospital is the heritage site of a former hospital in Albany, Western Australia. The site is also named the Vancouver Arts Centre Group for its later use as a community arts centre.-Description:...
- 'Old' Perth Observatory BuildingsPerth ObservatoryThe Perth Observatory is the name of two astronomical observatories located in Western Australia.-First Perth Observatory:The original Perth Observatory was constructed in 1896 and was officially opened in 1900 by John Forrest, the first premier of Western Australia. The observatory was located at...
overlooks Perth City, parliament house and Kings Park. "... many architectural details, apparently unrelated, are combined by the architect, George Temple-Poole, to create an aesthetically satisfying structure which has a structurally sculptural quality." It is now the headquarters of the West Australian National TrustNational Trust of AustraliaThe Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
. - Perth railway stationPerth railway stationPerth Station including Perth Underground is the largest railway station in Perth, Western Australia, and functions as an interchange between the Transperth Trains Armadale / Thornlie, Fremantle, Joondalup, Mandurah and Midland railway lines, as well as the Transwa Australind.-History:The Victorian...
and the nearby cultural area, including the Jubilee BuildingJubilee BuildingThe Jubilee Building is part of the Western Australian Museum in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It was opened in 1897 and was designed by George Temple-Poole and his 1895 successor John Grainger in the Victorian Byzantine style....
and Perth Boys School. - Claremont Police Station and railway precinct, replicated at Walkaway.
- Kings ParkKings Park, Western AustraliaKings Park is a park located on the western edge of Perth, Western Australia central business district. The park is a mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza with two thirds of the grounds conserved as native bushland. With panoramic views of the Swan...
founding of the Board and initial designs for Perth Park's landscaping and layout. - Titles Office Building; erroneously titled 'NW wing of Perth Government Offices'. Architectural style Italian.
- Fremantle Arts CentreFremantle Arts CentreFremantle Arts Centre is a multi-arts organisation, offering a program of exhibitions, residencies, art courses and music in a historic building in the heart of Fremantle, Western Australia....
- major additions, again sympathetically incorporating earlier designs and materials. - Perth Government Printing Office Corner of Pier and Murray St.
- Toodyay Post Office.
- South Femantle Post Office.
Awards and honours
- The National Trust of AustraliaNational Trust of AustraliaThe Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
has assessed some of the works he designed as being, 'essential to the heritage of Australia and must be preserved'. Many of his buildings and designs are listed and praised by this Trust and other heritage or historical interest groups of Western Australia. - Poole Avenue in Kings Park was named in honour of his contributions.
- An Australian architecture award also bears his name.
See also
- List of Australian architects
- List of historic buildings in Perth, Western Australia
- Perth history in the 1890s
- History of Western AustraliaHistory of Western AustraliaThe human history of Western Australia commenced between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago with the arrival of Indigenous Australians on the north-west coast. The first inhabitants expanded the range of their settlement to the east and south of the continent. The first recorded European contact was in...
- Architecture of AustraliaArchitecture of AustraliaArchitecture in Australia incorporates the architecture produced in the area of the Commonwealth of Australia...
Further reading
- Matters, Leonard W., (Mrs.), Australasians Who Count in London and Who Counts in Western Australia, London, J. Truscott, 1913. Held at Battye Library, Perth
- R. and J. Oldham, George Temple-Poole, Architect of the Golden Years.
- LePage, John S H, Building a State, Water Authority of WA, (Leederville, 1986)