Test your Design IQ
MANILA, Philippines - Who is the emancipated convict who designed the Hyde Park Barracks, the Government House, and what is considered to be his masterpiece — the St. James Church, Sydney?
Born in Mangotsfield near the English city of Bristol, he became an architect “of some eminence” in Bristol and Bath. His only remaining building in the United Kingdom is the Clifton Club in Bristol, originally the Clifton Hotel and Assembly Rooms. In 1809 he became bankrupt, and in 1812 he pleaded guilty, “under the advice of his friends,” to forging a financial document and was sentenced to death; this sentence was later commuted to 14 years transportation. Why he pleaded guilty is not now certain; he may have been told it was the only way to save his life. He had been friendly with Admiral Arthur Philip who was living in retirement at Bath, and Phillip wrote to Lachlan Macquarie recommending the convict to him.
He arrived in Sydney, New South Wales on the transport General Hewitt in February 1814 to serve his sentence. He commenced work as a colonial architect by designing a geometric stair for Ultimo House. He first met Macquarie in July 1814 and it was during this meeting that Macquarie raised the construction of a town hall and courthouse giving the architect an instruction book to follow. The latter was so offended by this that he responded with a letter exclaiming his skills and quoting Sir William Chambers that his Excellency should utilize the opportunity for a classical design: “Immediately copy the drawing Your Excellency requested me to do, notwithstanding it is rather painful to my mind as a professional man to copy a building that has no claim to classical proportion and character.”
Between 1816 and 1818, while still a convict, he was responsible for the design and construction of the Macquarie Lighthouse on the South Head at the entrance to Port Jackson. After the success of this project, he was emancipated by the governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, and in the role of acting civil architect and assistant engineer responsible to Capt. J. M. Gill, inspector of Public Works, went on to build many significant buildings in the new colony.
His works include Hyde Park Barracks, the Government House, and what is considered to be his masterpiece, the St. James Church, Sydney, Australia. There are still 49 buildings in central Sydney attributed to his designs. (From www.wikipedia.com)
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Last week’s question: Who are the French brothers who create designs that both inspire the masses and push the boundaries of design?
Answer: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Winner: Christian E. Marquez of Sta. Mesa, Manila
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Text your answer to 0905-3142614 with your name and address. One winner will be chosen through a raffle of texts with the correct answer. The winner will receive P2,000 worth of SM gift certificates for use at Our Home, SM Department Store, or SM Supermarket. They can claim their prize at Our Home in SM Megamall. Call the store manager at 634-1950, 634-1943. Bring photocopies of two valid IDs and a clipping of the Design Quiz issue in which you appear as winner.
