2 February 2025

Pride March over, time for architecture! The wild curvy Pride Centre in Fitzroy Street, first pic just after the parade, others a week ago – as I said in 2021, the design, by @grantamonarchitects and @bauarchitects.urbanists, doesn’t attempt to represent LGBTQI in some obvious way (thank goodness) but instead was inspired by the exotic styles (and many domes and arches) of st kilda, re-interpreted as circular and ovoid tubes, that notionally go right through the building, but really only seen in the facades and the ground floor. (There is a giant flagpole on top flying the rainbow colours though). I was worried about the massive scale, and it is big in the street, but with the stepping back, it’s not so dominating; I’m not a fan of steppy buildings but this one overlaps and blurs the edges, making for a variety of effects. Straight on is actually rather nice, and exactly like the render. I’m still concerned about the way it builds right out over the footpath, with a tall wall right on the street, but it certainly fits the design, and I guess the street is wide enough to cope (though I don’t want to see this leading to a whole line of them). There will be great views from the all the decks, and a rooftop bar (yay!) but one day someone will build something equally big where the ex-bank is on the corner, getting somewhat in the way. Update : I thought today it would be bursting with people but they must have safety limits or only ticketed events, not so many on it, and a queue to get in. And the rooftop is generally only open for events. Mind you, it is great to have !

22 January 2025

Been hanging out at the Pride Centre in Fitzroy Street St Kilda for a while, and just took the lift to the top floor for the first time to check out the atrium – pretty wild ! Very fluid. It’s a rounded cone, I think, with rounded bits cut out. Amazing really. I like it. Photos go top down, except for the first one. The ground level is very spacious, with lounges and booths so you can just play on your phone if you like. It’s composed around the idea of circular and elliptical tubes, with only the cross walls in concrete. Designed by @grantamonarchitects and @bau_brearly, it opened in mid 2021, and houses all sorts of queer organisations like @joyfm and @thorneharbour.

22 December 2023

The Victorian Pride Centre porch / verandah makes some great shadows. I hadn’t noticed till I took a photo, wanting to say that it’s actually a very generous space under there. But the amount of structure, really a two storey wall with big holes, taking the building right up to the gutter, rather breaks up the street wall.

10 December 2023

Hobbit house at the back of the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda. I do like how it has rounded openings in surfaces that are sort of scooped out, ending up with pointy corners. A bit dour in that dark grey cladding (with a zillion spider webs), but the chairs and geraniums add colour. Architects @grantamonarchitects and @bau_brearley.arch.urbanists.

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