Cyril Christian Ruwald (1895-1959) was one of several architects who designed hotels for Tooth & Co during the 1930s and 1940s. Born in Redfern, Sydney, Ruwald attended Sydney Technical College and was indentured to the architects Waterhouse and Lake. In 1917 Ruwald enlisted in the Field Artillery Brigade and sailed for France, where he served during 1918.

During the 1920s Ruwald worked with Reg Prevost, a noted patron of young architects including Sydney Ancher, before spending time in Europe during the 1930s Depression. On his return Ruwald established his own practice and was instrumental in adapting the streamlined horizontal look of European modernism to hotel design. His Cross Keys Hotel, Newcastle set the pattern for many others including the Canterbury, Vauxhall, Woollahra and Premier hotels. The Beach Hotel, Merewether is perhaps the most intact of Ruwald's numerous 'modern' hotels. Ruwald also designed the Greengate (Killara) and Bull and Bush (Baulkham Hills) hotels, notable exercises in historic pastiche.

As well as hotels, Ruwald's practice encompassed apartment buildings (notably Selsdon, Macleay Street, Potts Point), banks (for the Bank of NSW) and numerous residences. A champion golfer, Ruwald designed club houses for Cammeray Golf Club and other sporting clubs. He also designed alternations to two significant Sydney buildings: the City Mutual Building, Hunter Street and the former Grand Central Hotel, York Street.

The drawing was produced by Cyril C Ruwald in 9 Martin Place and printed by the Commercial Copying Company Pty Ltd, 28 Martin Place, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 10 September 1937.

Diazo print, New Premises ground and first floor plans Bank of NSW Port Kembla, paper / ink, Cyril Ruwald, 9 Martin Place, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, printed by the Commercial Copying Company Pty Ltd, 28 Martin Place, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 10 September 1937

A diazo print showing the 'NEW PREMISES' of the Bank of NSW in Port Kembla. The 'GROUND FLOOR PLAN' and 'FIRST FLOOR PLAN' are given. Measurements, notations have been printed on each plan with additional notations in red ink. There is a rectangular border around the plans and a title written within the border below the plans. The printers stamp in red ink can be seen on the back.

Made: Ruwald, Cyril; Sydney; 10/09/1937

Printed: Commercial Copying Company Pty Ltd; Sydney

Title reads 'NEW PREMISES CNR WENTWORTH & ALLAN STS PORT KEMBLA / FOR THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES / SCALES 1 INCH EQUALS 8 FEET'. Further text to the left of the title reads 'SHEET No 2' and to the right of the title 'Cyril C Ruwald / FRIBA, FRAIA / Architect / 9 Martin Place Sydney / 10th Sep 1937'.
Stamp on back reads 'COMMERCIAL / COPYING COMPANY PTY LTD / 28 MARTIN PLACE / SYDNEY / BLUES HELIOS / PHOTOSTATS / BLACLINES / DIAL B 6403'.

90/317-55

10/09/1937

457 mm

527 mm