7 April 2024

I’m posting this not because it’s great but because it isn’t – it’s a new facilities building at the Ian Johnson Oval in Albert Park, off Fitzroy Street, where I hang out in the afternoons. Very much a failure of imagination, and possibly budget, but annoyingly neither just a plain shed, nor an interesting design, but a shed with some angly bits attached. And lots of ramps, stairs and concrete. It’s really quite large, since it’s got everything they could think of thrown in – Four female change rooms, umpires’ change rooms, Kitchen, Community space, First aid room, Gym, and Scorer’s room, so ends up with multiple beige doors, interrupting the very ordinary but nice green colourbond cladding. The architects were Coxon Ramsay, who specialise in community buildings, most more interesting than this, pics 8,9. Google showed me a much nicer design by @arkular_, last pic, pity that wasn’t chosen. This is all particularly annoying given I keep seeing seen some really simple, elegant facilities in Sydney posted by @hillthalisaup. Honestly @parksvic just seem to hopeless with anything architectural (except their own office in the park is rather nice !)

Responses on Instagram

• hillthalisaup Thanks, see also @chrofi_architects @samcrawfordarch @lacosteandstevenson @carterwilliamson_architects @lahznimmoarchitects @meloccomoorearchitects @eoghanlewisarchitects et al
• j_kidman You’re so right about Sydney’s pedigree with these sorts of buildings. But Kennedy Nolan have just finished what looks like a good one for Lewin Reserve in Glen Iris (I don’t think it’s on KN website yet, you can see it on photographer @peternevett ‘s Instagram and website)
• b.o.o.t.private it’s giving design by committee
• g1nchy Architects that design inward slopping roofs and awnings for football fields haven’t been to a football game. There are so many of these designs.
• artsmedianetwork There was zero consultation with local community, including the close by primary school – I walk that park daily and I have never seen this glorified shed open…. it’s unwelcoming. Further the bureaucrats paid zero thought that the shed blocked a view to Albert Pk lake from Fitzroy street
• thenotsocleanchemist Apart from a rejected design – what features would be better. What design principles are missing?
  • tallstorey  what’s missing is a design that isn’t a shed with some angles stuck on each end. Either just be a shed, or be an overall visually interesting or at least elegant design.
  • thenotsocleanchemist what I’m hearing is a lazy design if any effort was made at all – probably topped off with a dash of lacklustre execution
• aprils_fotos No worries mate. Coupla large sheds & she’ll be right! Whaddya mean style or design? It’s just a footy field.😮
• r.buh Ah, shipping container chic!
• bradhooperarchitect Another example of the need for a Minister for Building. One office to deliver buildings across all ministries & service providers
• rickeckersleyart Oh dear…. Another fuggly! They keep coming😫🤬
• fi_hardie Absolutely agree. It’s an ugly, base design and way too big. It destroys the sense of space and connection between Fitzroy St and the lake. An abomination. Our parkland is encroached upon time and time again – asphalted, built on, and commercialised.

September 2025

Took these photos in midwinter sunshine – two of the pavilions at Albert Park that were built as part of the revamp of the whole place for the Grand Prix in 1996. I always thought gosh they’re so …. clunky, just precast panels and galvanised steel- which they are, but there’s a bit of postmodern style there. Some stepped bits and arched roofs, some sort of late high tech joints, and the pastel ochre and pink aren’t paint, that’s the colour of the concrete. Interesting but not very elegant that they’re sunken into the landscape behind so it’s almost level access to the upper floors. Doing well for nearly 30 years later, except for the rusty names, and very much in use. Just also took photos of the very different pavilion next to the tennis courts, all 45* angles and pyramidal roofs, very mid 80s. No idea of designers, possibly Parks Victoria in house ? Possibly Bill Williams, now Williams Ross

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