The Summerhayes Architecture collection was donated to the Curtin University Library by the late Geoffrey Summerhayes (1928-2010). Geoffrey was the third generation in his family to practice as an architect in Western Australia, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Edwin, and father Reginald (Reg). The oldest item in the Summerhayes collection is this beautifully drawn plan of Subiaco Hotel.

Subiaco Hotel plan

The Subiaco Hotel built was opened around 1897. Built on the corner of Rokeby Road and Hay Street, this Subiaco landmark has undergone several renovations during its one hundred and twenty years, but still retains much of the original design character.

The plan date is based on information regarding the acquisition of the land and licence for the hotel in 1896 by Ernest McGillicuddy, whose name appears on the plan. The plan of Subiaco Hotel is drawn on linen, hand coloured with some pencil alterations, and shows elevations to Hay Street and Rokeby Road. There is no architect’s name on the plan, however The Daily News, p4 16 Sept 1896 attributes the design to Henry Trigg. Edwin Summerhayes was employed by Trigg for several years until 1905, and during this time the first alterations were undertaken on the hotel.

The Summerhayes architects were involved with the Subiaco Hotel during several subsequent refurbishments. Reg Summerhayes was the architect for major alterations and additions undertaken during the 1950s, and the Summerhayes firm was again commissioned for alterations undertaken in 1972.

Both the photograph below and the plan show the hotel with the distinctive turret intact, and the verandas which were removed during renovations in 1957. The turret was removed in 1963 as a result of termite damage.

The Subiaco Hotel still stands and is one of the few existing hotels in Western Australia built in the Federation Romanesque style.

Summerhayes Collection

The collection of plans and photographs represents one hundred years of architecture in Western Australia. Edwin Summerhayes arrived in Western Australia in 1894, with his earliest designs being for the Coolgardie Exhibition Building and the Claremont Municipal Chambers. Reginald commenced practice with his father in 1926, and Geoffrey likewise joined his father in 1953.

The collection contains examples of the work of all three generations. Reg was highly awarded and well known for his work on the Karrinyup Country Club, the Colonial Mutual Insurance building and Lawson Flats. Geoffrey Summerhayes completed architecture studies at Perth Technical College in 1950, followed by a masters degree at Princeton. He practised in Western Australian for many years, making his mark with his modernistic architecture and design work.

The Summerhayes collection is currently in process. When completed this valuable collection will enable researchers with an interest in Western Australian architectural history to discover this unique material, now stored for posterity in the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library.

Acknowledgements

With thanks to the Subiaco Museum, City of Subiaco for additional information and assistance with the date of the photographs.

References

State Heritage Assessment,  Register of Heritage Places, Subiaco Hotel, 20 Oct 2015, and Assessment documentation, 7 Nov 2014