Original post 22 March 2020
Can’t go past without a photo, i guess because it’s quite photogenic!
Repost August 2020:
The #ChemistryBuilding at #MelbourneUniversity, completed in 1938-40. Shows that my fave architect #PercyEverett could do any style, not just Moderne. This is called #CollegiateGothic, which means the kind of Tudor/Gothic that so many universities used in the interwar years, there’s many great American ones. I do like the simple lines here, with the zig zag shapes at the top of the tower being both Gothic and Expressionist. The Gothic lettering over the entrance goes all traditional by contrast.
Found some photos from not long after construction, it looked very fine before the trees (and I now realise Percy did the Old Commerce building that had the old bank facade built in at exactly the same time).
The stairs inside are kind of extravagant, like formal grand stairs, adding some spatial drama.
Found an original plan, and a couple of the construction, showing the hefty steel frame to hold up the labs and lecture theatres.
These two photos from the internet – it’s steep ! And top 1/3 now roped off.
Storey of Melbourne 