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Mockridge, Stahle & Mitchell

On April 1st, 1948, John Pearce Mockridge, James Rossiter Stahle, and George Finlay Mitchell formed an architectural practice firm named, Mockridge, Stahle and Mitchell. Each and every one of the three became principals of the firm. John Mockridge and Ross Stahle met while they were at the Atelier at Melbourne University. After World War II, both Mockridge and Stahle worked at the firm Buchan Laird and Buchan and tutored at Melbourne University, and are both brothers-in-law. The practice was formed through these associations.

In the early days of their association, all three principals found their forte in the practice. This set up soon became impractical. Mitchell handled relationships with clients and officialdom, whereas, Mockridge, at his drawing board, slaved over the elegant details that were the signature of the new firm's work as he was strong in design and the main designer of this firm, while Stahle, the administrator, supervised staff benevolently and building contracts meticulously.

Their first projects in the firm, Mockridge, Stahle & Mitchell, were residential but soon they were invited to design buildings for private schools and, within a few years later, educational building dominated their practice.

At the first glance, three of the partners looked remarkably alike, but Stahle was the odd man out as his partners were bachelors, outgoing and confirmed. John Mockridge was a chubby Geelong boy and a talented draughtsman, painter and painter, and a witty anecdotist who lived in an extraordinary life in his smart, new townhouse in a Carlton Square, to which on his retirement, he added a studio; George Mitchell was a good-looking man, an urbane figure, prominent and respected in high Anglican circles, who formed a respected choral group, Canterbury Singers, and had directed it for many years.

They won and received ACT Canberra Medallion (1964) for the H.C Coombs Buildings, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory as a group, and some of the firm’s buildings have since been heritage listed.

The architectural triumvirate that influenced the design of schools in Melbourne and Canberra over much of the latter half of the 20th century ended after the death of Ross Stahle at his home in Hawthorn in 2010.

Personal Life

John Pearce Mockridge

John Pearce Mockridge was born in May 14th 1916 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. His mother’s name is Stella nee Pearce and his father Arthur Stella Mockridge. He studied architecture at Gordon Institute of Technology in Geelong, Victoria and Melbourne University Architectural Atelier (MUAA). He won RVIA Scholarships & two prizes. He died in 1994.

James Rossiter Stahle

James Rossiter Stahle was born in January 22nd 1917 London, England. His mother’s name is Daisy Bland and His father Leon Rossiter Dalgleish Stahle, and wife Lesley Mitchell. He studied architecture at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology & Melbourne University Architectural Atelier (MUAA). He died in 20th April 2010. Outside his profession he had few interests apart from his family, home and garden.

George Finlay Mitchell

George Finlay Mitchell was born January 2nd 1916 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. He studied architecture at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology & Melbourne University Architectural Atelier (MUAA). He died in October 15th 2006.

Notable Projects

Some of their recent notable projects are:

1. Classrooms, Melbourne Grammar School built in 1954. It is Bromby Street, South Yarra, Victoria. This building was originally designed by Charles Webb which is castellated in Tudor Gothic Style. Over the years many additions have been made and post-World war II structures by Mockridge, Stahle & Mitchell are really appealing additions to a remarkably cohesive precinct of building which makes it stand out.
2. Whitley College was built in 1962-1965. It is located at 271 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria. It is built by grey Besser bricks as circular like a doughnut. It is the main building at Whitney College. Inside is a central courtyard landscape by Beryl Mann, with curved concrete seats and some native Australian trees.

Whitley College

1. Religious Centre, Monash University was built in 1963-1967. It is located at Wellington Rd, Clayton, Victoria. It is design circular with stained glass windows. It is consisting of two chapels, large and small; the large one is the main chapel as well as several meeting areas. It is a multi-faith centre used for services, weddings, christenings, funerals, memorials, private prayer and seminars.

Religious Centre, Monash University

External Link

• Melbourne Grammar School
• Whitley College
• Religious Centre, Monash University
• Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
• Buchan Group
• Australian National University
• Canterbury Singers

References

Websites:

1. ^ https://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/greatscot/2010sepGS/73.htm Scotch College Melbourne 2013, accessed 30 April 2014
2. ^ http://gnet.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au:8080/wiki/MOCKRIDGE-John-Pearce-1916-1994.ashx Illustrated Heritage Guide to The Geelong College 2013, accessed 30 April 2014
3. ^ http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/PR89/059/ Australian War Memorial 2009, accessed 30 April 2014
4. ^ http://www.eoas.info/biogs/P005300b.htm Encyclopedia of Australian Science 2013, accessed 30 April 2014

Books:

• Goad, Phillip (1999), Melbourne Architecture (2nd ed.), Boorowa: The Watermark Press., ISBN 978-0-949-28489-1 {{citation}}: Check |author-link= value (help)

• Goad, Phillip (2012), Australian Architecture (1st ed.), The United States of America: Cambridge University Press., ISBN 978-0-521-88857-8 {{citation}}: Check |author-link= value (help)

Journal:

1. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/schools-were-in-for-designer-20100704-zvu1.html Niel Clerehan, 2010. James Rossiter Stahle Architect. Schools were ‘in’ for designer. The Age, 5 July 2010, accessed 28 April 2014