This article in #AustralianHomeBeautiful Feb 1953 features a flat in Kew belonging to Mrs L Y Sher, and pretty sure that was my second (unofficial) #godmother Eve Sher ! - who I knew in the 70s and 80s as a short squat lovely lady who said dahlink a lot, lived in a high rise flat in Toorak … Continue reading My 2nd godmothers house in Australian Home Beautiful, 1953. →

23 March 2019: Another bit of family history - after graduating from Commerce from #MelbourneUniversity, my mother in about 1955 instead of becoming a stock broker like she wanted got a job here at #PrestonMotors (now #PMautomotivegroup), in this great streamline Deco / #Moderne #carshowroom on the corner of Russell and #LittleCollinsStreet almost exactly when … Continue reading Preston Motors, a Moderne city showroom (and a bit of family history) →

If you own an #officetower with some space between it and #CollinsStreet, why not squeeze in another one ? You only have to leave a 6m gap, front and back. #80collins, pka #NauruHouse. (There weren’t any rules that anyone taking any notice of when this one got a permit in 2011, though the Collins st … Continue reading Kissing Towers, 80 Collins →

That’s not just any star, it’s the star of the #LoyalOrangeOrder, the Irish Protestant association. It’s in #CentenaryHall in Exhibition Street which has been the home of the Victorian #LiberalParty since they bought it in 1976 from the Protestants who built it in 1935, replacing an earlier hall. There’s a big auditorium on the first … Continue reading Centenary Hall & Loyal Orange Order Purple Star. →

Not terrifically exciting but this lift probably dates from 1960, when the rather cute #LaurensHouse at 414 #LonsdaleStreet was extended from the 1956 four storeys to 8 (it didn’t have a lift before). I do like the fluted aluminium (or is it steel ?) sheet. Architect #HaroldBloom, possibly an #emigrearchitect, but might not be; emigre … Continue reading Mid century mundane, a 1960 lift car. →

6 March 2018: #GraphPaperArchitecture, but I like it, the #precast panels are very fine, and each one includes a deep set window, so oblique views quite different from straight on. Also provides #sunshade. #ScottishAmicable, Queen Street, #YunkenFreeman, 1966. Oops posted this only a month ago. But the thing next door gone now, and this is … Continue reading Scottish Amicable →

March 2019 #EvansHouse in #BourkeStreet (now #charlesrosejewellers) was built in 1930 for the co that sold canvas and blinds and is now @evanevans_au flags, designed by Hare Alder Peck & Lacey; the lobby features gorgeous deep red veined #marble and matching red #terrazzo, with black borders, going right up to the first floor lobby - … Continue reading Evans House luscious marble →

18 March 2019: Building2 at #RMITuniversity (their third purpose built one) is a bit curious, such a prominent site but the corner is mostly blank wall ! Built 1917, designed by the #PublicWorksDepartment to house the School of Applied Art, it’s all huge studios over three floors with big#steelframedwindows and exposed concrete structure, all very … Continue reading RMIT 1917 workshops →

The house my grandfather built in 1946-7 on the corner of Percy and Gordon Street, #Balwyn - still there ! And much smaller than I remember. Takes up so little of the block. Pretty sure there were far more trees, it looks rather sad. Nice combo of vaguely Georgian and Modern. I remember Grandpa said … Continue reading A late 40s home, Balwyn. →

Some #latemodern shininess at the #ACIbuilding at 200 Queen Street, completed 1983 - designed by #GerardDePreu, best known for the #RialtoTowers, also late Modern with a dash of Pomo, completed soon after. He liked 45* angles, but then they were all the rage - in the 70s ! The lobby is intact, surprisingly, with brownish … Continue reading Late late Modern, Queen Street, 1983 →