Christopher Arthur Smith

Christopher Arthur Smith (19 November 1892 – 2 March 1952), also known as Chris Smith and Chris A. Smith, was a South Australian architect. Smith had no formal architectural training, but was a prolific designer of picture theatres and public buildings in Adelaide and regional South Australia during the 1920s and 1930s, and is recognised as one of the leading South Australian exponents of the Art Deco style.[1][2]

Early life

Smith was born on 19 November 1892 in Rosewater, South Australia (then known as Yatala), with his name registered as Arthur Christopher Smith; however, this order of names was never subsequently recorded. His father Thomas Edwin Smith was a sailor and then labourer, his mother Elizabeth Ellen Williams was likely illiterate, and Chris was the youngest of six sons.[1]

Chris only had about eight years of schooling, going into business with his brothers in a film distribution business in Port Adelaide. In 1915 Smith was registered as a carpenter. There is no record of any architectural training.[1]

Architectural career

In 1917 he signed himself as architect in documentation relating to the construction of a cinema in Kadina, and in 1924 claimed to have practised as an architect for ten years. He practised in King William Street, Adelaide until 1932, and subsequently from his home at 5a (now 3) Prospect Road, Prospect. After purchasing the adjoining property at no. 5, he built an Art Deco style home on that property’s tennis court, including a garage with his office and studio above facing Carter Street,[1] in 1938. This was later hailed as an "iconic building" of Adelaide.[3][4]

After the Architects Act 1939[5] came into force, Smith was registered from 1941 until his death in 1952, having fulfilled the requirement of working as an architect for a specified period. In January 1946 he was admitted as an Associate of the South Australian Institute of Architects, even though he was no longer working as an architect.[1]

Later life and legacy

He lived with his wife and children in Prospect. In later life he was a Freemason, belonging to the Lodge of Faith No. 9,[1][6] and was also a member of the Prospect Bowling Club.[1]

He died at home on 2 March 1952.[2]

Five of his buildings appear in the Australian Institute of Architects listing of "South Australia Significant Twentieth Century Architecture", and several more the South Australian Heritage Register.[1][2]

Works

Significant buildings designed by Smith include:

• Princess Theatre in (then) Marryatville (1929), now the Regal Theatre, Kensington Park;
• Semaphore Soldiers’ Memorial Hall (1929);
• Hindmarsh Town Hall (1936);
• Port Adelaide Municipal Chambers (1939);
• Capri Theatre in the suburb of Goodwood (1941); and
• Peterborough Town Hall (1927).

References

1. "Architect Details: Christopher (Chris) Arthur". Architects of South Australia. University of South Australia. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
2. University of South Australia (2013), "Smith, Christopher Arthur (Chris)", Trove, retrieved 27 July 2020
3. Williamson, Brett (27 June 2016). "Iconic buildings of Adelaide: Christopher Smith art deco home in Prospect". ABC Radio Adelaide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
4. "3 Prospect Road, Prospect". Google Maps. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
5. "Architects Act 1939 [ceased]". South Australian Legislation. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
6. "Masonic Heritage - History". Freemasons. Retrieved 29 July 2020.

Further reading

• Smith, Chris A. Scrapbook (PDF). Includes press cuttings, photographs, drawings and documents, collected by Smith and pasted into a scrapbook.