John Gorton Building, Parkes ACTformerly known as the Administration Building

Record last updated 15 January 2015 | 1


John Gorton Building, Parkes ACT.
Source: Department of Finance, 2012

Finance ID Number / DFD-61008
Commonwealth Heritage List (CHL) Place ID Number / John Gorton Building: 105472
Apart of the Parliament House Vista: 105466
Current Status (including CHL Place ID Number) / The John Gorton Building is included on the Commonwealth Heritage List and Register of the National Estate. The John Gorton Building is also included as part of the Parliament House Vista as contributory elements (CHL Place ID: 105466 and RNE Place ID: 19128).
The Central National Area has been nominated to the National Heritage List and is under consideration by the Australian Heritage Council (NHL ID: 106100).
Ownership / The John Gorton Building is managed by Department of Finance on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Location / The John Gorton Building is located in the north-eastern corner of Canberra’s Parliamentary Zone. The John Gorton Building and Communications Centre are a total block development located on Block 1 Section 35, Parkes, ACT. The site is bounded by King Edward Terrace to the north, ParkesPlace to the west, King George Terrace to the south and Dorothy Tangney Place to the east. The property is located in the suburb of Parkes, three kilometres south of the Canberra City Centre.

Above: Location of the John Gorton Building.
Source: Environment Resources Management, 2014 via Google maps
Description / The John Gorton Building lies within the Parliamentary Zone, Canberra’s ceremonial precinct featuring some of Australia’s most culturally significant buildings. These buildings include Parliament House, Old Parliament House, Defence Headquarters, Treasury Building, National Library and the High Court of Australia. The John Gorton Building is considered to be an example of the inter-war Stripped Classical Style and was designed to match the aesthetics of existing buildings in the Parliamentary Zone.
Exterior
The exterior of the building features cladding of a pale pink granite facade on the ground level, with sandstone cladding to the upper floors. The Stripped Classical Style has resulted in minimal ornamentation of the building. As part of this style, the John Gorton Building features symmetrical portico and restrained spandrels between the storeys of the building.
The John Gorton Building comprises of a ground floor, six upper floors (including a plant room on level six), a basement, a sub-basement, and a Communications Centre. Access to the building is provided on all four facades of the building. The entrance on the west facade differs to the other entranceways as it is raised and features ornate period style doors handles. A heavy set of aluminium-faced portico is supported by pink granite clad pillars that provides access to the north of the building via a publically accessible cafe. Access to the south facade provides access way to the Department of the Environment reception.
Major facade conservation works to the sandstone commenced in 2013 and the interior has been refurbished several times although original finishes have been retained in all public areas. The roof was replaced during 1996-8 and comprises of ribbed clip lock metal sheeting. There is also copper cladding over each of the wings, lead flashing to parapets and steel framed skylights above the light wells.
The John Gorton Building features prominent guttering, water heads and downpipes of copper. In 2011, sections of the downpipes were affected by theft. A majority of downpipes were replaced with German oxidised copper welded to the existing copper downpipes, mounted to the granite. Two replacements involved Colorbond rather than copper in the most prominent locations to deter theft in the future.

John Gorton Building exterior
Sources: Department of the Environment, unknown; Environment Resources Management, 2014;
and Australian Heritage Photographic Library Barcode number: rt60288
Interior
The interior of the John Gorton Building is divided between three tenancies, the Department of Finance, Department of the Environment and Cafe Milieu. The structural columns on each floor have been retained and incorporated into the current layout. The building comprises if a wide central corridor, light wells, lifts and stairwells. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are located on each floor. In 1996 (and reopened in 1999) John Gorton Building was closed to undertake demolitions and major refurbishments. As a part of the refurbishment works, eight of the 11 light wells were restored; three remaining light wells were converted into meeting rooms. Good quality and finely polished marble floors and terrazzo wall panels were retained, and stainless steel handrails and balustrades were installed in prominent areas to meet current code requirements. The entrance foyer accessed via the southern entranceway was extensively refurbished and contains highly polished timber flooring, mixed polished marble and stone clad concrete pillars, with a reinstated light well.
The basement level contains bike storage, lockers, meeting rooms and a prayer room. The bathrooms and kitchenettes are similar in design, layout and materials across all levels and in all tenancies in the building. Work areas are open plan and extend away from the central corridor. Suspended ceiling panels have been installed to conceal modern air conditioning, lighting, telecommunication and electrical wiring. To maximise natural light, all offices and meeting rooms have at least one glazed wall.

L to R: Interior of the John Gorton Building from the entrance of the Department of Finance side; entrance from the Department of the Environment side; and the second floor demonstrating high quality fit out materials.
Source: Environment Resources Management, 2014.
Landscape Setting / The John Gorton Building plays a significant role, along with the Treasury Building, in balancing the land axis as design by Walter Burley Griffin. The John Gorton Building also contributes to the heritage values of the Parliament House Vista.
The building takes up the majority of the block of land, and is complemented by well maintained grounds surround John Gorton Building, including substantial lawns, mature plane trees, a large car park with mature trees and raised planter beds within pink granite planter boxes on either side of the entranceway.
A paved central-northern courtyard features a central sculpture fountain constructed in granite that is consistent with surrounding building materials. To the east of the fountain are two eucalypt plantings, which do not appear to be a part of the original fountain design and are not a component of the earlier, exotic plantings in the immediate landscape.

Mature plane trees to the north of John Gorton and a fountain looking north to King Edward Terrace.
Source: Environment Resources Management, 2014.
Heritage Objects and Collections / The cultural heritage significance of the John Gorton Building is enhanced by its moveable heritage items, which either directly relates to the purpose of the buildings and/or through significant artworks. The John Gorton building features several artworks and displays. These artworks include the bust of John Gorton and Aboriginal artworks including Larrakitj Poles, Glass panel titled Tjapatji Bates, and a painting titled Four Arches by Limmen Bight Country.
Part of the artwork collection includes winning entries in the National Indigenous Heritage Art Award and a collection of paintings of small marsupials and birds. The reception desk in the foyer features paintings by artists from Melville Island (Commonwealth of Australia, 1999).
Photographs and original artworks are used throughout the building, particularly in public spaces and the meeting rooms. Large photographs in the foyer include close-ups of bark, rocks and stonewalls. Photographs and artwork for the key meeting rooms follow the themes established by the meeting room names: Waratah, Banksia, Burra, Reef, Aurora, and Uluru.
Interpretation of the history of the John Gorton Building is provided in the central foyer and eastern corridor on the ground floor. The display comprises historic photographs, plans and text explaining the design, construction and refurbishment of the John Gorton Building. The display also includes photographs of the Ministers that have been responsible for the various agencies that have occupied the building.
The Department of the Environment maintain the collection of artwork along with the historic images and items relating to the history of John Gorton Building and the Communications Centre.

L to R: Larrakitj Poles from Arnhem Land; and the bust of John Gorton.
Source: Environment Resources Management, 2014
History and Summary of Uses /
  • Pre-European settlement - Ngunawal people travelling through the region, utilising resources on the annual gatherings for moth hunting and initiation ceremonies.
  • 1830s- Pastoral settlement of the region, large areas of land granted to and purchased by Robert Campbell. Introduction of sheep farming.
  • 1910s - Walter Burley Griffin wins design competition for the new Federal Capital. Construction of Canberra begins.
  • 1924 - Competition for the design of government buildings including the Administrative Building announced. The competition was restricted to architects residing in Australia, 94 entries were received. Sydney architect George Sydney Jones won the competition. Estimated cost for the preferred design is £631,819.
  • 1927 - Jones died suddenly in January before the working drawings were completed. Sydney architects Robertson and Marks continued the project. In October, the Federal Capital Commission let the contract for laying the foundations over an eight month period for a total value of £50,783.
  • 1928-1929 - Construction of the foundations was completed in April. Shortly afterwards, the Government decided not to proceed with the construction of the building in the short term.
  • It was discovered that 631 tons of cement were omitted from the concrete and a committee of inquiry was formed. The committee subsequently determined that the foundations were sufficiently strong enough to support the building.
  • 1934 - A new report finds that the foundations were not strong enough to support the building.
  • 1935-37 - An improvement to economic conditions saw the project restarted. After a year of work the project was again postponed.
  • 1943 - The project was revived as part of the post war program for the development of Canberra. The John Curtin Government established the External Communications Branch within the Department of External Affairs to handle all Government cablegrams for transmission to addresses outside Australia either in plain language, code or cipher, as well as all inwards cablegrams for the Australian Government.
  • 1946 - A new scheme for a larger building based on Jones’ original design was prepared. The new design featured five floors, 450,000 square foot of floor space, reinforced concrete construction, with external walls faced with granite at the base and freestone above. Total cost estimated at £1,425,128.
  • 1947 - The Government decided to proceed with the construction of the building in stages, using as much Australian material as possible. The plan was to complete the building in four years and accommodate 3000 public servants, and 1000 bicycles and 30 cars in the basement.
  • 1948 - The original foundations were gelignited. Construction proceeded slowly due to changes to the plans, post war labour shortages, competing government priorities and strict controls.
  • 1953 - In early 1953 it was estimated that construction was still three years from completion. Plans for a corresponding building across the main axis from the Administrative Building were abandoned. The Administrative Building was described at this time in government circles as ‘a monument to Cost Plus’.
  • 1955 - A Senate Select Committee reported that the building was still two years from completion.
  • 1956 - Occupation of the building commenced on 6 February by the Australian News and the Information Bureau. At this time, the building was substantially completed, with some minor work occurring until 1960.
  • 1963-68 - The volume of international messages handled by the External Affairs Branch of the Federal Government increased at 28% each year.
  • 1969 - Administrative Building occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The urgent requirement for a computerised system for all Government communications outside of Australia was required.
  • 1970-72 - The feasibility of incorporating the computer system into the Administrative Building was considered by the Government. It was concluded, that the security requirements, space requirements and custom installation specifications necessitated a purpose-built underground facility. The MacMahon Government approved the construction of the Communications Centre adjacent to the Administrative Building.
  • 1973-74 - Increased cost estimates resulted in further Government approvals. The Whitlam Government approved the revised costs to allow the construction of the Communications Centre to proceed. Rankine and Hill were appointed as design engineers for the Communications Centre and Schmaehling Boys and Vickery Pty Ltd (Sydney) were appointed as the architects and interior designers. The Department of Housing and Construction managed the project on behalf of the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) and Wagdy Hanna was the Supervising Architect. Mainline Constructions won the tender to construct the new Centre and commenced work in August 1974. Following the collapse of Mainline Constructions, Civil and Civic was appointed as the replacement contractor with an expected completion date of August 1976 and an adjusted tender sum of $3,367,070.
  • 1977-78 - Construction of the new Communications Centre was completed and staff commenced staged occupation from March 1977. The completed Centre featured a wide range of interior artworks, lighting and detailed interior design to ensure sensory deprivation issues that may arise from working underground were prevented.
  • 1979 - The Centre transitioned to full reliance on the new computer mainframe for all communications. The new mainframe commenced operation in February, with nodes in London and Washington brought online in April and July of that year respectively.
  • 1980-81 - Upgrade of the Administrative Building and its northern entrance was undertaken for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
  • 1983 - A new roof was installed over the original roof.
  • 1987 - The Administrative Building was listed on the RNE as part of the Parliamentary Triangle. The Administrative Building and Communications Centre were also individually listed on the RNE.
  • 1988 - Communications Centre computer system simplified, with the nodes in London and Washington decommissioned. Following these changes, the Canberra mainframe operated the entire network.
  • 1989 - The southern entry and lobby were upgraded for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
  • 1987-1992 - Reports on options for refurbishment of the building were commissioned by the Domestic Property Group within the Government.
  • 1994 - Project Coordination Australia was appointed to manage the base building refurbishment. In October Wilde Woollard (cost consultants) and Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayne (design team) were appointed to the base building refurbishment team.
  • 1995 - Final sketch plans for the refurbishment were completed and approved.
  • 1999 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade departed the building and relocated to the RG Casey Building in Barton in September. The demolition of internal structures in the Administrative Building commenced in November. During the refurbishment works, eight of the eleven original light wells were reinstated, bringing the internal layout closer to the 1940s re-design. The Communications Centre staff and some equipment were also relocated to the RG Casey Building at this time. The original Communications Centre was vacant from this time.
  • 1997 - The Commonwealth Property Committee approved the relocation of Environment Australia and the Department of Finance and Administration in September. In November Project Coordination Australia and Wilde Wollard were appointed to project manage and cost plan the relocation of Environment Australia to the building. Robert Peck von Hartel Trethowan was engaged to design the fit out and Connell Wagner was engaged to prepare the environmental assessment of the building and services.
  • 1998 - In April Lend Lease were engaged to construct the Environment Australia fit out and work commenced in May. The practical completion for the fit out for the Department of Finance and Administration was completed in November and the Department moved into the western end of the building in December.
  • 1999- The practical completion for the fit out for Environment Australia was completed in January and the agency staff moved into the building between February and March. The building was officially renamed as the John Gorton Building by the Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard on 30 June 1999.
  • 2000 -The Communications Centre mainframe was replaced by a new system that was progressively implemented in January and completed in mid-June. The system was decommissioned on 23 June 2000 after 21 years of reliable global service.
  • 2001-2003 - Environment Australia implemented plans to refurbish the former Communications Centre for use by the Australian Greenhouse Office. Several light wells were constructed through the slab to accommodate the new use. A range of original artworks including the original 1970s foyer were retained during the refurbishment works. Environment Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs conducted research projects and oral history interviews to compile a history of the Communications Centre and provide material for a permanent display in the new Greenhouse Office installed in the former Communications Centre.
  • 2004 - JGB and Communications Centre gazetted for inclusion on the CHL.
  • 2011 - Replacement of several copper downpipes that were stolen. Replacement material is German oxidised copper; two replacements are Colorbond.
Source: Environment Resources Management, 2014.