Harry Kent

Harry Chambers Kent (1852–1938) was an English-born Australian architect. He was Sydney-based during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and a leader of his profession as President of the Institute of Architects of NSW (1906–07). During his career he was associated with the design of over 670 buildings. Many of his designs are heritage listed and two are on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.

Early life Kent was born in Devonshire, England, the son of the Rev. Samuel Chambers Kent and his wife Emily Deacon. A year after his birth, the Kent family emigrated to Australia and the Reverend Kent was appointed Principal of the Camden College in Newtown, Sydney. Harry Kent was educated at Camden College and the University of Sydney where he graduated with a Master of Arts in 1875. Before his graduation Kent was articled to James Barnet, the New South Wales Colonial Architect, and in 1873 to John Horbury Hunt. Agincourt, Albert Road, 1890, now Jesmond Nursing Home Institute for Blind Women, Albert Road, 1891, now the Catholic Institute of Sydney; Alterations to Strathfield Council Chambers, Homebush Road, 1913; First floor extensions to Strathfield Council Chambers, Homebush Road, 1921–23; Kent's original house is now called Woodstock and has been converted to apartments.

Family In 1886, Kent married Mary Louisa Elbury Jefferis, the daughter of the Reverend James Jefferis of the Pitt Street Congregational Church and Mary Louisa Elbury. They had two daughters, Gladys and Louise (Lulu), and a son, Geoffrey.

Architecture

Early work

When Kent was unable to find employment after graduation from university, he sought advice from John Fairfax. With a recommendation from Fairfax, Kent managed to secure work with master builder John Young. During this time he worked on the construction of the Department of Lands Building, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney and the Garden Palace that was built for the Sydney International Exhibition of 1879. He went into private practice in 1882 and his first commission was the design of Eldon Chambers in Pitt Street, for Josiah Mullens.

In 1890, Kent designed the main school building at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney. An important early residential design was Lincluden at 12 Fairfax Road, Bellevue Hill, for Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart. The home was constructed 1896–97 and is heritage-listed. In 1895, Kent designed his first major warehouse. The Farmers & Graziers No. 1 Woolstore building is a 3 & 4-storey Federation style warehouse constructed of face brickwork with sandstone detailing and timber windows and doors. It has in recent years been converted into residential apartments.

Kent and Budden In 1899, Kent entered into partnership with his former student, Henry Budden and the firm became known as Kent & Budden. Buildings of this partnership include: New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, wool store, 330 Wattle Street and 89 Jones Street, Ultimo, 1906; Cheyne, 21 Redmyre Road, Strathfield 1906; Emu Creek, Emu Creek Road, Walcha, 1908; Kent House, Liverpool Street, Sydney (1912), now heritage-listed. Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children at Camperdown (with Stuart Bros of Annandale)

Kent Budden & Greenwell In 1913, Harry Kent and Henry Budden were joined in partnership by Carlyle Greenwell. Greenwell had served his articles with Kent & Budden and after attending Sydney Technical College and the University of Sydney he had completed a Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. The partnership of Kent Budden & Greenwell was dissolved in 1919, having produced 150 buildings. Budden and Greenwell continued to work in partnership until 1922. later Woolworths on the corner of George and Park streets, Sydney. and a series of country banks in Newcastle and Cessnock.