William Wardell was a civil engineer and architect who lived between 1823 and 1899. He was notable for his work in Australia, England and Scotland. (Information taken from Wikipedia)
His most notable works include the St Patrick's cathedral in Melbourne, The University of Sydney and St John's Collage. He worked in both Gothic and Classical styles. Although Wardell built many public buildings, He also had a private practice building houses and buildings for individuals. Many times he teamed up to work with his friend Augustus Pugin who was an English architect, designer, critic and artist and who simulated him to Wardell's interest in the Gothic Revival.
Between the years 1846 and 1857, Wardell designed close to 30 churches one of which being St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. Wardell became attracted to the catholic church through its architecture. He was not a spiritual person and Pugin often tried to inject interest in Catholicism into Wardell. In the end he ended up converting to Catholicism, creating a new life and a new family for him. He used his architecture and designs as a way of praising and thanking God. His architecture and sculpture give us an insite to his beliefs and views on religion.
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| St Mary's Cathedral Sydney. |
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| St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne. |
St Patrick's cathedral is one of William Wardell's most famous and prestigious works.
Wardell's interiors were very soft. Light and tranquil pastel colors are used together with gold. The gold gives the room a sense of richness and wealth. The image on the left shows the interior of a government house in Melbourne.
William Wardell was on of the major pioneers in the Gothic Revival period. He was fascinated by the style of the buildings and felt that his designs brought him closer to his new found religion.
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