26 May 2024 So Vault aka the Yellow Peril has been recommended for the Victorian Heritage Register. The statement of significance notes that it is an accomplished and pivotal work of public art, by sculptor Ron Robertson Swann, especially notable for its colour and composition, and for its history as a controversial and well-known example … Continue reading Vault →

25 May 2017: Another great Modernist house in Beamaris- by #MockridgeStahleandMitchell, 1957. Great use of levels, simple #skillionroof, big timber framed #windowwall, what more could you want ? Update : later learned it’s now occupied by @mcmalexander, the daughter of Ross Stahle, so it’s in good hands ! She supplied this giro from 1957.

23 May 2017: Satchell House, Summerhill Road, Beaumaris, was built in 1950, making it an early entry in the emergence of the #postwar #modernist house. Looks almost #bauhaus, but in timber, or more likely influenced by US west coast architect #WilliamWurster, and pretty special IMHO. Architects #GodfreySpowersHughesMewtonandLobb (yes 5 of them); Geoffrey Mewton had done … Continue reading Beaumaris Modern no 7 →

21 May 2024 Some postmodern heritage – this is a pair of houses designed by Edmond and Corrigan in Kay Street Carlton, the most famous result of the Ministry of Housing’s 1980s inner suburban ‘infill’ program. They were built in 1983 and Heritage Victoria is proposing to list them! (I just found out, you can … Continue reading Postmodern social housing, heritage listed ! →

20 May 2024 The State Government Offices in Geelong have just been added to the Victorian Heritage Register - I remember when the people of Geelong voted it as the most ugly building in town in the early 90s, when Brutalistm was very under appreciated. The wacky but very dramatic upside down pyramid design was … Continue reading Geelong State Offices →

20 May 2024 The ex Masonic Club Building in Flinders Street, which has just had a refresh, looks nice, though it’s not terribly architecturally interesting. Completed in 1927, the design was by Joseph Plottel, who won a competition (and went on to do many flats city buildings and the Footscray Town Hall); the style is … Continue reading Masonic Club Building →

20 May 2024 My first Instagram post 2013; bought my first smart phone, then in the tram going home immediately downloaded Instagram, created an account, and photographed myself - caption “Stylish ? Great Chinese brand 'Goldus'. Cost me $10 at market stall.” 11 years later, I’ve done 6122 posts, though since 2021 many are repeats. … Continue reading My first post →

19 May 2024 A dragon almost in flight ! This one at 48 Nimmo Street Middle Park is featured in the 1989 book on Federation houses “Towards the Dawn”. Not totally sure it's original, too extravagant for this modest house, might be an early product of Gargoyles & Dragons who started in 1977 - but … Continue reading Dragons & Gargoyles →

18 May 2024 So the tent-like coverings of the service stations either side of the approach to the Westgate Bridge are proposed for heritage listing by the City of Melbourne. They’re not my favourite things, but I appreciate their uniqueness, so yes they should be listed. Cable roofs became a thing in the 1950s, and … Continue reading Tensile roofed petrol station →

18 May 2024 At 6 Loch Street, West St Kilda there’s a block of flats called Glamis Towers that I posted about in 2017, and I discovered it was a single owner and all the kitchens and bathrooms were pretty much original ! Its very nice 1940 Art Deco, with an unusual arrangement of 2 … Continue reading Glamis Towers, St Kilda →