Inspection Headquarters (Building 72) Ordnance Reserve, Maribyrnong
71 and 72 Ordnance Reserve Maribyrnong, Maribyrnong City
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Statement of Significance
The Central Drawing Office and Inspection Branch are of architectural and historical significance at the Metropolitan level as an expression of the once extensive munitions industry which made Maribyrnong the 'Arsenal of Australia'. The CDO was involved in all major design and development of new military supply facilities from the 1920s and from 1938 in this building. The Inspection Office played a similar role in ensuring the standard of defence production. As all other production building relating to the Ordnance Factory has been demolished, these two buildings are an important reminder of the factory. (Criterion A4) As two of the few remaining buildings from the Ordnance Factory Maribyrnong, these represent a significant development in defence industry, and specifically the centralised design of munitions installations. (Criterion D2)
With the corporatisation and privatisation of many defence supply facilities, the centralised design, development and testing functions which were represented in these buildings has been dispersed. Likewise the creation of distinctive public works architecture to house major national institutions is a thing of the past. (Criterion B2)
Architecturally the two buildings represent the competent International Modern style of Public Works Department Architect, D.C. Ward, (Criterion H1) and are expressive of their time in their clean lines and robust construction. (Criterion F1) The associated trees and landscaping are contributory.
Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) criteria
The Australian Heritage Commission criteria consist of a set of eight criteria which cover social, aesthetic, scientific, and historic values. Each criterion has sub-criteria written specifically for cultural or natural values. The relevant criteria are:
D.2 good example of type
B.2 rarity
H.1 association with important person or group
F.1 design or technological achievement .
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Inspection Headquarters (Building 72) Ordnance Reserve, Maribyrnong - Physical Description 1
Two multi storey office buildings of brick and reinforced concrete representing slightly different periods of construction and style. The Central Drawing Office (Ordnance Factory Maribyrnong Building 71) was constructed in 1938 and has been substantially altered and enlarged. It is a three storey brick building, with corrugated asbestos sheet roof. Built in an "H" floor plan which provides even lighting from large timber framed double hung sash windows, floors are of polished hardwood on oregan bearers, interior walls are plastered, some with timber panelled dados. Ceilings are plaster or pressed metal.
The adjacent Inspection Headquarters (Building 72) is of similar scale, but in a "U" plan with the style reflecting the smoother lines of the 1940s. It also has steel casement windows and the dark manganese brickwork defines the elevated front entrance. Some smaller single storey, related buildings to the south served as ancillary stores, but it is believed these have been demolished.
Some remnants of the original landscaping surrounding the buildings survives in the form of cypress trees and other exotic species. This was once a feature of much of the Defence Department establishments.Inspection Headquarters (Building 72) Ordnance Reserve, Maribyrnong - Physical Conditions
Both buildings are in sound external condition although stripped of furniture and suffering from some vandalism.
Inspection Headquarters (Building 72) Ordnance Reserve, Maribyrnong - Integrity
Some alterations are evident but externally the buildings remain generally intact.
Inspection Headquarters (Building 72) Ordnance Reserve, Maribyrnong - Historical Australian Themes
Thematic context
Australian Principal Theme Providing for the common defence
PAHT Subtheme: Going to war
Local Theme Maribyrnong Ordnance FactoryInspection Headquarters (Building 72) Ordnance Reserve, Maribyrnong - Physical Description 3
Creation date(s): 1940 c.
Heritage Significance metropolitan
Map (Melway) 27 J8
Boundary description
Two buildings located at the end of Ordnance Reserve, now on a newly created street as part of the Waterford Green development.
Local Government Area: City of Maribyrnong
Ownership Type Commonwealth Department of Defence ?Heritage Study and Grading
Maribyrnong - Maribyrnong Heritage Review
Author: Jill Barnard, Graeme Butler, Francine Gilfedder & Gary Vines
Year: 2000
Grading:
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FOOTSCRAY RAILWAY STATION COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H1563
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HENDERSON HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0183
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ERCILDOUNEVictorian Heritage Register H0494
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