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 and ...

at 982-984 Pacific Highway, in the

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

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 ...

, 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 the Guringai Aboriginal people who were thought to be the traditional owners of the area. ...

local government area of

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, 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 Wales, A ...

, 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 ...

of the

Government of New South Wales The Government of New South Wales, also known as the NSW Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of New South Wales. It is currently held by a coalition of the Liberal Party and the National Party. The Governmen ...

. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register 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 varing 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 of w ...

pediment Pediments are gables, usually of a triangular shape. Pediments are placed above the horizontal structure of the lintel, or entablature, if supported by columns. Pediments can contain an overdoor and are usually topped by hood moulds. A pedimen ...

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 that crowns a building or furniture element—for example, the cornice over a door or window, around the top edge of a ...

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

parapet A parapet is a barrier that is an extension of the 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/breast'). Whe ...

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 New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

References

Attribution

External links

{{Ausgrid, state=autocollapse New South Wales State Heritage Register Pymble, New South Wales 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