Back to search results »

Back to search page »

PRAHRAN MECHANICS INSTITUTE

Location 140 HIGH STREET PRAHRAN, STONNINGTON CITY File Number PL-HE/03/0261 [1 to 2 ] Level Registered

[1/9] PRAHRAN MECHANICS INSTITUTE [2/9] PRAHRAN MECHANICS INSTITUTE [3/9] h00400 1 facade full [4/9] h00400 central dome [5/9] h00400 h prahran mechanics map [6/9] h00400 pmi hex stair [7/9] h00400 streetscape2 [8/9] h00400 top floor [9/9] h00400 top floor window

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Prahran Mechanics Institute was established in 1854 when Prahran was a small hamlet surrounded by swampland. Mechanics Institutes were popular in their various communities as places where mainly working class men could go to improve themselves by listening to lectures related to practical work and enabling them access to books. These Institutes were the forerunners of adult education and the public library system in Victoria.

A building was completed to accommodate the Institute and its library in Chapel Street, Prahran in 1856. The Institute began providing formal classes in French and stenography from the 1860s.

In 1870, the Institute started a School of Art offering classes in art and design. The following year, the Prahran Institute of Art was registered with the Education Department.

Beset by poor management and financial problems, the Institute went into decline in the late 1870's. Measures were taken by concerned citizens who persuaded the Government of Victoria to pass an act that provided for the Incorporation and Government of the Prahran Mechanics Institute. On October 27th 1899, the Victoria Government passed Act No, 1617 (The Prahran Mechanics Institute Act, 1899) which ensured the continuation of the Institute.

By 1908, the Institute's new secretary, J.H. Furneaux had introduced cookery and industrial art classes and in 1909, the Institute registered its school with the Education Department as the Prahran Technical Art School.

By 1910, the Institute could no longer accommodate the numbers of students enrolling for classes and the committee planned to sell the Chapel Street building in order to accommodate its expansion. An amendment to the Act allowed the Chapel Street building to be mortgaged and leased. Money raised from the sale enabled land to be purchased at High Street, Prahran where two buildings were constructed in 1915 to accommodate the Institute's expansion.

The architect for the new Institute building was Ernest Horatio Willis. Willis was Member of Prahran Council: 1908- 1920 and Mayor of Prahran Council: 1913-14 & 1918-19 and was architect for Fawkner Mansions in South Yarra, Waingawa Mansion in Armadale and houses in Victory Square, Armadale.

Willis designed a red brick building in the Federation style with an eclectic combination of Classical and Romanesque architectural motifs. The roofline consisted of terminating vertical pilasters and three copper domed turrets that featured circular vents and flag poles. The front area of the building had a main arched entrance into the Institute and either side of the entrance were a series of shops, each with its own High Street entrance. The leasing of shops enabled financial income for the Institute.

The building that extended to St Johns Street at the rear of the Prahran Mechanics Institute was known as Prahran Technical School and operated from 1915 to 1970 when it became part of Prahran College of Advanced Education (now Swinburne University of Technology).

In 1915 the Institute leased the site of the Prahran Mechanics Institute to the Department of Education for a peppercorn rent of 1 shilling per year in return for funding and equipment. This agreement was valid for 33 years. In 1947, the Institute entered a new lease with the Minister of Education giving the Department use of the High Street buildings for 99 years, again at a shilling per year payable on demand until the year 2046.

The Prahran Mechanics Institute library has remained in the building, firstly at the rear and in 1974 relocated to the areas at the front of the building on High Street. The walls between the shops were removed to accommodate the Institute's library and some offices of the University. The High Street entrance to the library was the original main entrance to the building and led to the central hexagonal space with its symmetrical staircases. The hall leading into the hexagonal space was blocked off in the 1970s. Part of the Institute's building is occupied by Swinburne University of Technology.

How is it significant?
Prahran Mechanics Institute is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
Prahran Mechanics Institute is of historical significance as a rare surviving example of a Mechanics Institute built in a suburban environment. Other comparable Institutes are the Footscray Mechanics Institute c.1913 and Oakleigh Mechanics Institute c.1906.

Prahran Mechanics Institute is also historically significant as one of a small group of Mechanics Institutes still operating. As well as running a library service, it conducts educational and recreational activities in the Mechanics Institute tradition.

Prahran Mechanics Institute is historically significant for its long association with technical education in Victoria and with the Mechanics Institute movement.

Prahran Mechanics Institute is of architectural significance as a purpose built Mechanics Institute designed in the Federation Free style. The High Street facade is considerably intact and important elements include the main entrance and brick arched feature, window front details intact with copper frames and decorative geometric floor tiled entrances. A portion of the red brick facade is bordered by glazed ceramic tiles that form an ornamental effect.