Description and Key Features
The Royal Exhibition property and Carlton Gardens is situated in Melbourne Australia and covers an area of 26 hectares. At the center is the Royal Exhibition building which is constructed using a combination of brick, timber, steel and slate. Designed by Joseph Reeds of Reeds and Barnes Architects, the building and grounds have both gothic and classical elements together with the German round-arched style. It has motifs from earlier European buildings combining both secular and religious elements (Jokilehto 2008).
As a reflection of its religious values, the building assumes the shape of a crucifix in accordance with the Christian faith. It has two elevations; the south and the north. The southern one has a large central porch with a large round-arched semicircular opening. This is a feature originating from the Crystal Palace in London. It terminates with projecting pavilions with rounded corners.
The northern elevation has projecting transept and a porch but most of its features are similar to the ones on the southern elevation. The eastern and western sides of the building are symmetrical and terminated by square cornered pavilions. Despite this, they share most of the features with the southern and northern parts of the building (UNEP 2004).
Another prominent feature of the building is an octagonal drum that is 18.3 meters in diameter and 68 meters tall known as the dome (Wells 2006). Made of timber and cast iron, it is situated at the crossing point of the naves and transepts. The dome concept can be said to be borrowed from Christian and Muslim religions.
The original décor was done exclusively by John Mather who used images that promote art, science, agriculture and coat of arms in conjunction with aesthetic flowers (Yule 2007). The second theme by John Clay Beeler used strong colours like red, gold and blue but with the same message of empire, glory and improvement.
John Ross Anderson did the third repainting in 1901 using brown, red and green colours and introduced concepts to the building that reflected peace, war, federation and government. Currently, the building is in the process of being restored to the theme that was there in the 20th century (Yule 2007).
The Carlton Garden was added to host the 1888 great exhibition. It reflects inputs from horticulturalist William Sangster and surrounds the building on all four sides. The south end is used as pleasure gardens. In the southern garden, there were both exotic and native oak trees together with a flower bed planted in a formal symmetrical layout pattern (Gonzales et al. 2008).
Some of the trees are still there today but the railings, fountains and seats are absent. The garden and the fountains are surrounded by a cast iron fence. The largest fountain known as the Hochgurtel is found in the southern pathway (Jules 2008).
The northern garden was initially used to house temporary exhibition halls but it is now used as the Melbourne museum. Less original features have survived here as compared to the southern part of the garden (Yule 2007). Both gardens have value in that they contain some of the oldest trees which are also very rare.
They are also maintained in such a way that they still represent history. Most parts of this garden are almost intact with the design originally made by Clement Hodgkinson. Nicholas Bickford and John Guilfoyle are responsible for restoration of Clements’ style (Pedersen 2008).
Criterion for Selecting World Heritage Sites
The first criterion used in declaring a world heritage site is the presence of a building and a site. The Royal Exhibition Building is the building and the Carlton garden is the site in this case.
The second criterion is that the building should represent an interchange between human values which the Royal Exhibition Building together with the Carlton gardens depict clearly through culture, architecture and technology. For instance, architecture is evidenced through the outstanding structure of the building while culture is shown through the use of European aesthetic decorations as discussed above.
The third criterion is not met by the building but the fourth is justified given that the building can be described as outstanding in many ways. It depicts the transition into a period known as the Exhibition Movement (Pedersen 2008). The building itself is a representation of various forms of art and applications of technology. People were able to see the differences between their culture and those of others.
Criterion six is also met where the building clearly represents the ideas and ways of life of people in the 19th century. During this period, there was technological improvement and industrialization was at its highest.
Trade was also an aspect of this society. The building fuelled international trade and used various forms of technology such as scales used during construction to come up with straight structures. Since people who came for the exhibitions were not solely drawn from the surrounding areas, human interaction was enhanced and this is another feature of the exhibition movement.
This is a national heritage site as it depicts the benefits of technology, social progress and diverse cultures around the world. These are all brought about by industrialization. International social and economic links are all part of the themes and concepts of the heritage. Because people were able to see what their counterparts in other parts of the world could provide, exchange of goods, ideas, technology and culture was possible. In effect a new era of trading was introduced.
The positive effects of industrialization can also be seen through the acute scales with which the building was developed (Jules 2008). This means that industrialization spurred the development of scales and people could now construct buildings that were up to scale. This is for example the dome and giant entry portals which could have been impossible to construct in the past. Apparently, the great hall is the only surviving hall of its kind in the world and it continues to be used to date.
Structures and sites used for international exhibitions have the same characteristics. The Royal Exhibition Building is the only way through which the present generation can experience this. This national heritage site was designed with precision and designed to reflect the above features. Some of the features have however been lost but the site is still treasured.
How the Site’s Inscription Met Procedural Requirements of that Time
During its inscription as a world heritage site, exhibition buildings and gardens were supposed to reflect the Great Exhibition Movement. Observers also known as commissioners were responsible for reporting on whatever was happening at each exhibition for the purpose of identifying new concepts. Information was also passed on to the commissioners from other areas to update them on new developments.
These commissioners were considered as very important people and were highly trained for their work. They were considered to be very important and in some cases, the state depended on them for information (Piggott 2004). The exhibitions at this time were considered to be very important and the success of any such event was gauged through its ability to attract visitors from different parts of the world.
The structures were not mere buildings but were exhibitions in themselves. As discussed earlier, the building was made of brick and timber which was not innovative when compared to other exhibition buildings of the time such as the Eiffel Tower which is made of cast iron.
The effects of modernity were supposed to be evident so that people can celebrate them. As a result, future generations can see how human beings could use the worlds’ natural resources to improve their life. The buildings were to be continuously used as exhibition centres but this was not the case in Royal Exhibition Building. The building started to be used for exhibitions about ten years ago.
Such buildings were expected to be exemplary representing the great exhibition movement. This building was not used for such purposes. In fact it is not until recently that it was considered as having features of the Great Exhibition Movement. At one time it was used as a fever hospital during World War 1 and as stores and offices in 1975. Some scholars suggest that it is only used as an exhibition centre because it is one of the very few such buildings that survive today (Brown 2008).
Such buildings were also expected to have survived without alterations to the original design. If repairs were to be carried out, the original work should remain untouched (Wells 2006). Most parts of the Royal Exhibition Building have undergone changes especially the interior decor and cast iron fences. According to historians, most exhibitions were carried out before this building was made and therefore it is just but a midpoint of the exhibition movement.
Buildings meant to depict the exhibition movement were to be under the custody of the state. However the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens are in the Commonwealth Government Register which means that the state has no direct control over them (Jokilehto 2008). In as much as the building has reflects some themes of the Great Exhibition Movement, there is still the question as to why it should be characterized as such.
The Time Table
The building’s foundation stone was laid by George Bowen in 1879. In 1880, the building was completed with the intention to host the Melbourne International Exhibition (Pederson 2008). In conjunction with the above exhibition, the Royal Exhibition building hosted the Centennial Exhibition in 1888. In 1901, the building hosted the opening of the Australian Parliament after which it housed the Victorian Parliament for 26 years.
It was used as a venue for regular weekly dances between 1940 and 1950. In 1948 it was almost demolished by the City Council of Melbourne. In 1953 the part that housed Melbourne aquarium was consumed by a fire. In 1956 it was used to host the Summer Olympics where games such as basketball, wrestling and weightlifting were played. From the late 1950’s, the building housed several offices and stores. Boats and car shows were also held during this period. In the 1960’s and 1970’s high school matriculation was held here.
Princess Alexandra bestowed the royal title to the building during a visit to Victoria in 1984. This is why the building is referred to as the Royal Exhibition Building. This title made people realize the importance of the building and between 1980 and 1990 Alan Willingham was among the first people to promote its restoration.
In1996, Jeff Kennet (the premier of Victoria) advised that a state museum should be built adjacent to this building. This was greatly opposed by Victorian State Labour Party and the local community. In 1997 and 1998, a large portion of the building which was destroyed was repaired and restored. John Brumby (the then state opposition leader) combined efforts with Melbourne City Council and lobbied for the nomination the building as a world heritage site.
The listing was however not implemented until the year 1999 when the Victorian State Labour Party won the elections. This made the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens the first in Australia to be enlisted as a world heritage site. Currently, the building is being used for exhibitions among other things but it is revered and respected as an important part of Australia’s heritage.
Procedural and Definitional Requirements of Operational Guidelines: How do they Seek to Capture the Spirit of UNESCO’s Constitution and World Heritage Convention?
The 2011 operational guidelines describe a national heritage as “one that has outstanding universal value from aesthetic or scientific point of view” (Meyers 2012: p. 344). This description is similar to the one given during the elevation of the Royal Exhibition Building into a national heritage site. Currently, the Royal Exhibition Building is regarded as a site and building that is revered not only for its aesthetic and scientific value but also for its rich history which is studied in schools.
In articles 1 and 2 of the convention, a feature is described as a natural heritage if it conforms to the definition of cultural and natural heritage. Most parts of the Royal Exhibition Building are natural and culture is evident. This is the rule that has been applied in the past and the building still conforms to it. It is therefore possible to have one philosophical approach to a world heritage centre because the same factors are considered over the years.
A major difference between the 2011 operational guidelines and others in the past is the fact that more countries are encouraged to participate. Also, there is inclusion of countries from Africa, Pacific and Caribbean together with communities that preserve their tradition. The reconstruction of archaeological remains can be justified if there is documentation.
The physical fabric, landscape and landform features are all considered during the integrity testing. There is delineation of boundaries to enhance protection and preservation of the sites. Such boundaries are reached upon using the guidelines for outstanding universal value.
In addition to this, a buffer zone is established around the area for the purposes of protection (UNEP 2004). Exceptions are made for management systems where each country is allowed to come up with its own management system. In some cases, management of the site is handed over to the community.
For the nomination of the property or feature to be completed, the property, boundary and buffer zone must be fully identified. A detailed map should be provided together with the description and history of property (UNEP 2004). An analysis of the property using the provisions of the operational guidelines will also be carried out.
In addition to this, a list of factors affecting the property will be provided. For instance natural calamities such as floods and such others will be listed just like it was done in the case of Royal Exhibition Building. All these are taken into consideration when the property is being nominated as a world heritage site (Dustan & Colligan 2009).
Conclusion
Major changes have been carried out on the building. This is for example the addition of a lift on the dome. It is one of the few surviving nineteenth century buildings. Scientific and botanical significance can be seen through the large collection of plants like conifers, palms and deciduous trees. These are sometimes used in botanical studies. Social significance is seen in its attraction of all sorts of people and plans are underway to make it a tourist attraction site.
As we all know, exhibition centres are not only social places but learning also takes place there. This is another feature of the Royal Exhibition building and it shows how it fulfils the world heritage values.
According to Yule (2007), ideas and values are some of the most interesting aspects exchanged during exhibitions. This ensures that values are learnt and kept. Apparently, out of all the exhibition buildings constructed during the Exhibition Movement, only the Royal Exhibition Building survives. This is another reason why it should be cherished.
References
Dustan, D & Colligan, M 2009, Victorian icon: The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, The Exhibition Trustees, Melbourne.
Gonzales, R et al. 2008, Phantom sightings: art after The Chicano Movement, California University Press, California.
Jokilehto, J 2008, The World Heritage List: what is OUV? Defining the outstanding universal value of Cultural World Heritage Properties, ICOMOS, Paris.
Jules, DB 2008, American artifacts, Michigan State University, Michigan.
Meyers, M 2012, World heritage sites, McGraw-Hill, London.
Pedersen, A 2008, Managing tourism at world heritage sites: a practical manual for world heritage site managers, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Paris.
Piggott, JK 2004, Palace of the people: The Crystal Palace at Sydenham 1854-1936, University of Wisconsin Press, Wisconsin.
UNEP 2004, Review of the world heritage network: biogeography, habitats and biodiversity, UNEP, Cambridge.
Wells, RT 2006, Earth’s geological history: a contextual framework for assessment of world heritage fossil site nominations, IUCN, New York.
Yule, P 2007, Carlton: a history, Melbourne University Publishing, Melbourne.