The Pymble Substation is a heritage-listed

electrical substation A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system. Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions. Between the generating station an ...

at 982–984 Pacific Highway, in the

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

suburb of

Pymble Pymble is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Pymble is north of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council. West Pymble is a separate suburb t ...

, in the

Ku-ring-gai Council Ku-ring-gai Council is a local government area in Northern Sydney ( Upper North Shore), in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The area is named after a fictional Aboriginal language group. Major transport routes through the area include th ...

local government area of

New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...

, Australia. It was built from 1926 to 1928. It is also known as #195 Pymble 33KV Zone/Depot. The property is owned by

Ausgrid Ausgrid is an electricity distribution company which owns, maintains and operates the electrical networks supplying 1.8 million customers servicing more than 4 million people in Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter regions of New South Wale ...

, an

agency Agency may refer to: Organizations * Institution, governmental or others ** Advertising agency or marketing agency, a service business dedicated to creating, planning and handling advertising for its clients ** Employment agency, a business that s ...

of the

Government of New South Wales The Government of New South Wales, also known as the NSW Government, is the executive state government of New South Wales, Australia. The government comprises 11 portfolios, led by a ministerial department and supported by several agencies. Th ...

. It was added to the

New South Wales State Heritage Register The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Heritag ...

on 2 April 1999.

History

The Pymble Zone substation/depot is a purpose designed and built structure dating from 1928. "Substation No. 195, 1928" is written on the lintel pediments in relief. Historical period - 1926–1950

Description

The Pymble Zone substation/depot is a large and elegant parapetted one and two storey structure with roofs of varying heights, round headed windows, and contrasting

lintel A lintel or lintol is a type of beam (a horizontal structural element) that spans openings such as portals, doors, windows and fireplaces. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented/structural item. In the case ...

pediment Pediments are a form of gable in classical architecture, usually of a triangular shape. Pediments are placed above the horizontal structure of the cornice (an elaborated lintel), or entablature if supported by columns.Summerson, 130 In an ...

s. It is a refined example of the Interwar Stripped Classical style as evidenced by the vertical emphasis, vestigial classical

cornice In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian ''cornice'' meaning "ledge") is generally any horizontal decorative Moulding (decorative), moulding that crowns a building or furniture element—for example, the cornice over a door or window, ar ...

and groupings of multi-paned windows. Stylistic elements also include recessed panels incorporating corbelled

brickwork Brickwork is masonry produced by a bricklayer, using bricks and mortar. Typically, rows of bricks called '' courses'' are laid on top of one another to build up a structure such as a brick wall. Bricks may be differentiated from blocks by ...

near the base and

parapet A parapet is a barrier that is an upward extension of a wall at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony, walkway or other structure. The word comes ultimately from the Italian ''parapetto'' (''parare'' 'to cover/defend' and ''petto'' 'chest/brea ...

levels, and decorative elements including contrasting brickwork and cement rendered lintel pediments. Two large entrances with roller shutters provide access. The Pymble Zone substation/depot is constructed in load-bearing face brick with externally expressed engaged

piers Piers may refer to: * Pier, a raised structure over a body of water * Pier (architecture), an architectural support * Piers (name), a given name and surname (including lists of people with the name) * Piers baronets, two titles, in the baronetages ...

. The windows make use of brick arch construction. The sustain is completed in the Interwar Stripped Classical architectural style. Exterior materials used include face brick, cement render, and steel roller shutter.

Condition

As at 8 November 2000, the substation condition was good.

Heritage listing

As at 21 October 1998, the Pymble Zone substation/depot is an elegant and refined example of a well detailed face brick substation building designed in the Interwar period. It is considered to be of State significance and a rare and representative example of this style of substation building. Substation was listed on the

on 2 April 1999.

References

Attribution

External links

{{Ausgrid, state=autocollapse New South Wales State Heritage Register Pymble Electric power infrastructure in New South Wales Articles incorporating text from the New South Wales State Heritage Register 1928 establishments in Australia Energy infrastructure completed in 1928 Buildings and structures completed in 1928