| Bonython Hall | |
| Building Type: | Great hall |
| Architectural Style: | Gothic |
| Cost: | £50,000 |
| Location: | Adelaide, Australia |
| Address: | North Terrace |
| Owner: | University of Adelaide |
| Start Date: | 1933 |
| Completion Date: | 1936 |
| Architect: | Woods Bagot |
Bonython Hall is the "great hall" of the University of Adelaide, located in the university grounds and facing North Terrace, Adelaide.[1] The building is on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate and the South Australian Heritage Register.[2] [3] It is primarily used for University graduation ceremonies, examinations, expositions and public lectures and meetings likely to draw large audiences.[4]
The hall was built in the period 1933-1936 as a result of a donation of over £50,000 from Sir John Langdon Bonython.[5] It was opened on 8 September 1936 by Governor-General Lord Gowrie and the first public lecture was held a week later.[6]
There are many local legends about the building, with two being particularly resilient:
Bonython Hall is opposite Pulteney Street. Folklore has it that the Bonython donation was made on the condition that a hall be built opposite Pulteney Street, thus blocking any future path through the parklands and preventing the division of the campus by a major thoroughfare.
Folklore also maintains that the Bonython family were very conservative and did not want the building used as a dance hall. Hence, the hall was designed and built with a sloping floor rather than flat floor.[7] [4]
Beginning in 2005, the University has been conducting renovation works. The quality of these works has been rewarded with an Award of Merit at the 2007 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.[1] [8] [9]