Postmodern social housing

21 May 2024

Some postmodern Heritage – this is a pair of houses designed by Edmond and Corrigan in Kay Street Carlton, the most famous result of the Ministry of Housing’s 1980s inner suburban ‘infill’ program. They were built in 1983 and Heritage Victoria is proposing to list them! (I just found out, you can make a submission to support but it’s due today). The houses feature Corrigan’s trademark simple detailing, and 50s suburban bricks, but there’s so much more going on – the curves, the stepped bits, the patterns and angled bits too, providing three beds and lounge, and kitchen meals room out front. The houses made it into Domus and Crowd magazine (pic 5), and there’s a great night shot by John Gollings. There’s more Ministry housing by other architects in the inner suburbs (pics 7-10 are nearby, 7 is also by Corrigan) – the report doesn’t really rank them but if you were going to choose one this would be the one. It seems that HV is doing this themselves because the period after 1970 is ‘under represented’, they’re only 1% of the 2400 places listed, so it’s quite an understatement. The period 1950-1970 isn’t well covered either, so many great houses. First pic mine 2013 and last few pics mine, others from the report or the internet.