Repost this day 2019: Some #traminfrastructure : this is the ‘Grand Union’ #tramcrossing at the corner of #HawthornRoad and #BalaclavaRoad in #NorthCaulfield. Just an ordinary intersection, but when the #PrahranandMalvernTramwaysTrust was building the electric tram network in the south east burbs in the 1910s, they decided they needed to be able to turn #trams in … Continue reading Grand Union Junction →

Repost this day 2018: HarleyHouse, a ‘chambers’ built for the medical profession (named after the once famous medical street in London #HarleySteeet), 1923, in a broadly #CommercialPalazzo form by #SydneySmithOggandSerpell. Said to have Greek and Egyptian motifs, but I don’t see them - I see Georgianish arches, #ChicagoSchool #bayWindows, a giant stylised classical #cornice, in … Continue reading Harley House, 1923 →

A very nice modernist house - that was put up in St Kilda Road as part of a raffle for the #QueenVictoriaHospital in 1958 ! It was designed by #BernardEvans (soon to be knighted and become Lord Mayor of Melbourne) but that’s all I know about it. No idea if the winner got to pick … Continue reading Lost Modernism (and a winning ticket) →

The #NewZealandInsurance Co building in Bourke Street was completed in 1961, and was a rather slick, late example of #glasscurtainwall by #BatesSmartMcCutcheon, who had pioneered them in the mid 50s. Lots of great photos by #wolfgangsievers at the @library_vic, and one later colour one by #peterwille. I think it was demolished in the 80s, with … Continue reading Lost Modern in the CBD →

Repost this day 2018: Not outstanding but the former #Presbyterian, now #ManninghamUniting, Church, by #KeithReid, was actually quite radical for 1962, with its solid, almost #brutalist expression of a plain volume with textured #clinkerbrick walls. The domestic style entry pergola and the rather suburban planting are a let-down, but help it blend in to the … Continue reading Templestowe Presbyterian Modern →

13 June 2019: The #absolutelyfabulous #CollingwoodPostOffice; this bonkers #HighVictorian front was added in 1892 to an 1868 building, don’t know why, guess the #PublicWorksDepartment (or someone) thought it didn’t stand out enough ! They even included a clocktower / mansard thing. It really is a very thin front, check out the photo I took in … Continue reading Collingwood Post Office →

Repost from this day in 2017: Grand #neoclassical #terracepair #PrincesStreetStKilda. Found a ref to 1865, could be earlier. Rather clumsily turned into four flats maybe 1920s; what might have been #castiron balustrade made solid, infilled ends, but the fence and all the #ioniccolumns perfectly intact. Possibly still one owner, no sales, just rental ads. Ones … Continue reading Neoclassical terraces St Kilda →

Repost 2 years ago - and looking at it again, what’s with the big grey and pink squares ? Prefer refined simplicity, or all out colourful mosaic : The new #SouthMelbournePrimarySchool on the edge of Southbank is huge ! Designed by @hayball_arch with @tractconsultants landscape, it’s our first #verticalschool, five storeys, and no fence or … Continue reading High rise primary school →

Repost this day 2018: The simply wonderful 1972 #VenetoClub in Bulleen by Italian/Slovenian Australian architect #ErminSmrekar, whose work was quite outside the mainstream of Australian architecture in the 70s and early 80s. From the beginnings in the late 60s he showed a love of geometry like the quarter circle elements seen here, as a well … Continue reading Concrete club in Bulleen; another Smrekar triumph →

Repost this day 2019: This lovely house is down a culdesac called Gordon Grove off Punt Road near the river - turns out it’s the original house in the area ! Probably had everything from Domain Road to the river and Punt Rd to the rail line. Called Avoca, first part built 1848. And the … Continue reading Avoca, South Yarra →