The first men’s urinals were above ground, flimsy affairs
compared to the extravagant lavatories which became a feature of
early twentieth century Sydney. A number of health scares and a
rising community interest in question of public health and hygiene
resulted in the construction of a range of ornate underground conveniences
with no expense spared.
Many of these lavatories, especially ones built in pavements, did
not last the distance, and by the 1930s the fashion for going
underground had run its course. More utilitarian structures
began to make their appearance on the surface, and by the
end of the twentieth century the preference was for easily
demountable structures that could be located and relocated
as needs changed.
Images
Trams,
trains and toilets
This 1904 lavatory at Railway Square fitted right into
the streetscape. It replaced an older Jennings octagonal
6-person cast iron urinal, now considered ‘out of
date as regards convenience and sanitation’. The
council’s official take on their handiwork was that
‘ the public conveniences have been constructed
with the best materials, and with every regard for proper
sanitation, ventilation, easy access, lighting, and adequate
accommodation. They featured cast ironwork, sandstone
surrounds, and pavement lights, glass tiles, and polished
Tasmanian blackwood or cedar joinery work and fittings
‘of the highest class’. This style of on-street
underground lavatory was built in various city streets
in the early twentieth century. (City of
Sydney Archives, Vade Mecum, 1930, pp.163-173;
CRS 538/298; Town Clerk’s Annual Report, 1904,
pp.188-189)
Plan
of Public Convenience, Macquarie Reserve
This watercoloured plan gives a feel of the flamboyant
Edwardian architecture with Art Nouveau detailing applied
to Sydney’s new underground conveniences. The decorative
metal sign over the entrance became the standard symbol
across the city of what convenience lay below. (City
of Sydney Archives, CRS 569/P425)
Closed
but not forgotten
When this facility was proposed for Macquarie Place in
1907, there was some concern that it would be an intrusive
element that detracted from the important historic relics
in the park – such as the anchor from the flagship
of the first fleet, the Greenway obelisk etc. Concern
over safety issues and the reality of expensive repairs
and upkeep led to their closure in 1996. In 2002 the Council
took the decision to fill it in below ground level while
retaining and restoring above ground elements to become
part of the heritage relics on this site. (Tony
Smith / City of Sydney)
Underground
Convenience, Wynyard
Designed by J. H. Merriman under the supervision of the
City Building Surveyor Robert Broderick in 1911, the Wynyard
underground convenience was originally designed to be
similar to its ‘brother’ in Macquarie Place.
The glazed roof and extensive pavement lighting maximised
light into underground areas. The shiny ‘white opalite’
glass tiled walls symbolised the early twentieth century’s
obsession with sanitary hygiene. (City
of Sydney Archives, CRS 569/T1216)
The
Lav at Wynyard in the thirties
A photograph from the 1930s shows the lavatory’s
dome as cone shaped. But the original plans show a spherical
dome. No one knows when the design changed – during
construction or at a later date. In any case, this photograph
shows the survival of this convenience despite the digging
up of the park for the underground railway. (City
of Sydney Archives, CRS 538/012)
Vacant
but not available
This facility was closed in 1996 as by then it required
extensive repairs and many now considered these underground
conveniences neither convenient nor safe. Commuters, protesters
at this familiar rallying point, and the Sisters of Perpetual
Indulgence all had to find another place. (Tony
Smith / City of Sydney)
Spend
a penny
This photograph shows an attendant standing at the door
of one of the above-ground loos. It is in Belmore Park
near the railway underpass at Hay & Castlereagh Streets.
Underground conveniences were expensive to build and to
maintain and as the twentieth century progressed the council
reverted back to building more utilitarian above ground
toilets. (City of Sydney Archives, CRS
538/299)
Domestic
bliss
This building reflected domestic architecture of the Arts
& Crafts movement which flourished around World War
I. Constructed in 1921 it was one of the last urinals
the council built. It closed in 1938 having been superseded
by a sandstone lavatories block, which now functions as
an outdoor café. (City of Sydney
Archives, CRS 538/40)
Loos
of today
In 1999 the City of Sydney launched a new range of public
utilitarian above ground toilets. The self-contained self-cleaning
facilities bear little resemblance to their ancestors
in Hyde Park. (City of Sydney Archives,
SRC Photographic Files)
