13 June 2020 This is the 1872 #ChineseMissionChurch in Little Bourke, by Crouch & Wilson, a great example of #polychromebrick, 3 colours, highlighting voissoirs, quoining, diaper patterns, the lot! I’m now thinking Melb might be the capital of polychrome like this, though there’s examples elsewhere, England, France, Netherlands, Germany even Sweden, but can’t find anything … Continue reading Polychrome Brick – who did it first, who did it better ?
Month: June 2020
St Kilda Park State School, 1882
10 June 2020 #StKildaParkPrimarySchool, possibly the most compactly vertical of the many late 19thC #primaryschools built in Victoria after the 'free and compulsory' 1872 Education Act. All the schools in the first decade were #GothicRevival, mostly in #polychromebrick, getting more elaborate into the 1880s. By then they’re all said to be designed by #HenryBastow, chief … Continue reading St Kilda Park State School, 1882
Modern Revival townhouse, Lindsay Holland, 2001.
Original post 12 June 2020 Photos 30 April 2018 A great little #townhouse in #NeptunePlace, a site created in about 1996 when a large office building and carpark in the middle of #StKilda was demolished and subdivided. Anyone know the architect? Update : it’s the Connolly House by #LindsayHolland, and won the top ‘Harold desbowe … Continue reading Modern Revival townhouse, Lindsay Holland, 2001.
Interwar flats, Mitford Street, Elwood
Original post 7-8 June 2020 Photos July 2018 A great pair in #MitfordStreet, Elwood, similar proportions and both #spanishstyle - Santa Fe and Las Palmas both 1929 by builder/designer JH Soderberg. ‘Santa Fe’, #MitfordStreet, #Elwood, lovely #SpanishStyle, complete with #barleytwistcolumns to the front balconies. Sold as a lot in 2019, and looks like maybe still … Continue reading Interwar flats, Mitford Street, Elwood
Mid Century Modern in Elwood
Original post 7 June 2020 Photo July 2018 Until recently I wouldn’t have given this kind of block a second look, but this one at 57 Mitford Street Elwood had nice details like patterned mosaic tiles and brickwork, and wrought iron, a bit of interest on an otherwise modern design. Probably 1960s. Big windows, reasonably … Continue reading Mid Century Modern in Elwood
Myoora, Caulfield North, 1887
Original post 4 June 2020 Photos 12 August 2018 Always thought this one must’ve lost its verandah, but no it never had one. #Myoora, off #DandenongRoad in #CaulfieldNorth, was built in 1886-7 in a pretty unusual style; an eclectic combo of #Italianate and #QueenAnneStyle, and the tower has been described as Romanesque. I guess the … Continue reading Myoora, Caulfield North, 1887
Armadale Theatre, 1912
Original post 3 June 2020 Photo 1 September 2019 This place on #HighStreetArmadale doesn’t look like much, but the wide front with an arch and simple detailing were clues that it might be an old cinema - which it is, in fact one of the oldest purpose built cinemas that’s still somewhat intact. The #ArmadaleTheatre … Continue reading Armadale Theatre, 1912
Melbourne fragments – Model School, Spring Street
Original post 2 June 2020 Photos Jan 2020 If you go round the back of the College of Surgeons in Spring Street, and look into the sunken courtyard, you’ll see these random bits of #columns, which were discovered when they were digging it out in 2004 for new wings - they’re all that’s left of … Continue reading Melbourne fragments – Model School, Spring Street
Hamer Hall, 80s glam.
Original post 1 June 2020 Photos 19 November 2019 The interior of #HamerHall is an odd combo of late 70s #SirRoyGrounds #brutalist #bushhammeredconcrete, with 1980 #JohnTruscott glam #goldleaf, #smokedglass, and leather walls, with a 2012 overlay by @armarchitecture of orange carpet, brass and angled escalators- and it works ! I remember seeing this #goldleaf at … Continue reading Hamer Hall, 80s glam.








