Joseph Charles Fowell (2 August 1891 – 3 July 1970) was a prominent Australian 20th century architect. Renown for his ecclesiastical architecture, Fowell was primarily responsible for the design of over forty churches in New South Wales and Victoria, including Catholic churches at North Sydney (1937), Parkes (1939) and Neutral Bay (1941).[1]

Joseph Fowell
Born(1891-08-02)2 August 1891
Died3 July 1970(1970-07-03) (aged 78)
NationalityAustralian
OccupationArchitect
Years active1928—1970
Spouse(s)Ettie Spong Horne (1919—1939), Eileen Stella Hunt (1939—1970)
AwardsRIBA Street Medal 1933, Sir John Sulman Medal 1935 & 1943, RAIA Gold Medal, 1962
Practice
  • Fowell & McConnel: 1928—1939
  • Fowell & Mansfield: 1939—1946
  • Fowell, Mansfield & Maclurcan: 1946—1962
  • Fowell, Mansfield, Jarvis & Maclurcan: 1962—1970
ProjectsBritish Medical Association (BMA) House, P&O Building Sydney, Commonwealth Club, Gladesville Bridge
DesignChurches and public buildings

Background edit

Born in Albany, Western Australia and educated in England, Fowell returned to Australia in 1919 where he worked with Professor Leslie Wilkinson at Sydney University. In 1926 Fowell became an assistant to Henry Budden.

Architecture firms edit

Fowell created a number of architectural partnerships including:

  • Fowell & McConnel: 1928—1939, with Kenneth McConnel
  • Fowell & Mansfield: 1939—1946 with J.L.S. Mansfield
  • Fowell, Mansfield & Maclurcan: 1946—1962 with D.C.B. Maclurcan
  • Fowell, Mansfield, Jarvis & Maclurcan: 1962—1970 with O.R. Jarvis

Notable works edit

Year Work Firm Location Image Award(s) Comments Notes
1930 British Medical Association (BMA) House Fowell and McConnel 135-137 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW   RIBA Street Medal and Diploma, 1933 The first RIBA medal to be awarded in Australia. [2]
1935 St. Anne's Church Blair & Mitchell Streets, Bondi, NSW Sir John Sulman Medal, 1935 The first church to win this award. Later remodelled in 1964. [3]
1937 St Peter's, Church of England Proston, Queensland
1939 St Mary's, North Sydney North Sydney, NSW
1939 St Canisus' College Pymble, NSW
1941 St Joseph's Neutral Bay, NSW
1943 Orient Line Building Fowell, McConnel & Mansfield 2-6 Spring Street, Sydney, NSW   Sir John Sulman Medal, 1943 Since remodelled.
1956 St Augustine's Church Fowell, Mansfield & Maclurcan Meehan Street, Yass, NSW   Sculpture at this Church was created by prominent Australian Sculptor Tom Bass.
1962 P&O 565 Hunter Street, Sydney, NSW RAIA Gold Medal, 1962 Since remodelled.
1965 Gladesville Bridge Victoria Road, Drummoyne and Huntleys Point, NSW   [citation needed]
1967 Church of St Rose Fowell, Mansfield, Jarvis & Maclurcan Rose Street, Collaroy Plateau, NSW
1967 Commonwealth Club Fowell, Mansfield, Jarvis & Maclurcan 25 Forster Crescent, Yarralumla, ACT Canberra Medallion, 1967
 
BMA House elevation.

References edit

  1. ^ Martin, Pamela; Reynolds, Peter. "Fowell, Joseph Charles (1891–1970)". Australian Dictionary of Biography (published first in hardcopy 1996 ed.). National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  2. ^ "BMA House". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00252. Retrieved 13 October 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  3. ^ "St. Anne's Church". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01706. Retrieved 2 June 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.

Bibliography edit

External links edit