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HARTWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Location 4 Merton Street CAMBERWELL, BOROONDARA CITY Level Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/1] Hartwell Primary School

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?

Hartwell Primary School, 4 Merton Street Camberwell, built 1922 with major extension in 1928 is significant.

How is it significant?

Hartwell Primary School is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Boroondara.

Why is it significant?

Hartwell Primary School is historically significant as a reflection of the rapid growth of the population of Boroondara and the subsequent increase in school enrolments in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Significant growth in the eastern part of the municipality in the early twentieth century provided ample numbers of children for which the establishment of several new schools was required, and the continual expansion of existing schools. Hartwell Primary School is historically significant as a reflection of the changing needs of the school community through expansion, firstly in 1928 (major extension to house 200 students), 1930 and 1942 (two further classrooms) followed by major upgrades in 1946 (school grounds), 1970 (library) 1997 (sports hall), and c.2010 major extensions), and in accommodating student numbers from over 600 in 1946 to 370 today. The school is an expression of the local community through their agitation for its initial construction following overcrowding at neighbouring schools; and its continual improvement, through to fundraising for the provision of new facilities. (Criterion A)

Hartwell Primary School is a fine example of the fine Interwar school buildings exemplified in the work of the Victorian Public Works department under Chief Architect Edwin Evan Smith. Smith's leadership of the Department from 1922-1928 corresponded with the construction of a number of fine schools that expressed contemporary ideas of civic beauty through the use of classical styles, an emphasis on axiality and at times, Palladian plans. These include several examples of State significance including University High School Parkville, Bendigo Senior Secondary College and Kyneton Secondary College. Hartwell Primary School is also one of several Interwar schools within Boroondara including Camberwell South, Ashburton, Chatham and Kew East. (Criterion D)

Hartwell Primary School is aesthetically significant for its use of classical elements to enrich the entrance through a rendered porch with pilasters, a shallow arched porch with corbels and dentillations. The building is distinguished through its use of face red brick with concrete sills and lintels around the regularly spaced multi-paned sash windows. Other elements of the style include the low pitched hipped roof and eaves with exposed rafters and face brick and rendered chimneys. Whilst some external changes have taken place to the main 1922 and 1928 wings (roof replacement, front door, major extensions), the school retains its Interwar character through the axial plan, hipped form and detailed elements evident in historic photos. (Criterion E)

Group

Education

Category

School - State (public)