28 March 2017: Beautiful #Brutalism on the #MelbourneUniversity campus - the #EducationResourceCentre, 1971, #PublicWorksDepartment. Huge interlocking beams, expressing the internal column free structure, good for library stacks, which is what it was originally - for the #MelbourneTeachersCollege, now integrated into the adjacent university. #KenzoTange inspiration. Pity about that weird glass canopy hanging off it on … Continue reading Brutalism at Melbourne University →

28 March 2016: Stylish though worn #modernist #tearoom up in the #Dandenongs originally designed by noted architect #FrederickRomberg (part of Boyd Romberg and Grounds in the 50s). Not built as designed in 1945, not completed till 1950. The food wasn't half bad actually, v nice spiced #carrotcake. Romberg v interesting though not super prolific, but … Continue reading Modernist Kallista →

Original post 28 March 2019: It was a genius move to fill the windows of #StPatricksCathedralMelbourne with #amberglass, a lovely soft glow. I’d also forgotten how huge it is inside, and how gorgeous the #painteddecoration, shiny brass, carved altars etc. Restrained for a Catholic Church, but that’s what #WilliamWardell was all about. @ St Patrick's … Continue reading St Patrick’s Cathedral →

Original post 26 March 2021: What I’d like to know is, given the whole history of everything great ever built is easily available, why do McMansions get it so wrong ? This one I saw a couple of years ago surprisingly at the end of a #BickhamsCourt, #EastStKilda, a cul de sac of 60s modernist … Continue reading McMansion in East St Kilda →

Original post 23 March 2020: The history and future of the Melb uni student union has come up, and now I look, it seems incredible that in 1968-70, 'they' (architects Egglestone Secomb McDonald) demolished most of the 1863 National Museum, by Reed & Barnes - but they did ! This is 13 years after the … Continue reading Student Union, Melbourne University →

Original post 24 March 2019: So, in 2017 there was a plan to build a 20 storey tower right here across the #railwaylines in #ChapelStreetWindsor - but #VCAT said no, fortunately; Council luckily had a policy that the low scale of the heritage-listed #shoppingstrip was important - otherwise …. @ Windsor railway station, Melbourne Update … Continue reading Windsor development over rail line →

Original post 23 March 2014: A third #wightandlucas branch for Melbourne Savings Bank in #queensparadecliftonhill. Built #1889. According to the Miles Lewis index might be 4 more beyond the 4 I already know about. So luck great chunky Mannerist detail.

Original post 23 March 2017: The #QueenVictoriaMarket #Munrosite redevelopment render released by council (compare with my terrible sketch next post) - design of #apartmenttower by #BatesSmart, much more faceted than their slick glassy stuff of late, corner community facilities by #SixDegrees, which is nicely broken down volumetrically, though the preserved Art Deco corner facade is … Continue reading Munro site, Queen Victoria Market →

Original post 23 March 2020: Unusually richly elaborated #shoptops in #BridgeRoadRichmond, near Burnley St; same window keystone detail - with lady faces instead of keystones as another shop up on the hill, so probably the same builder or architect. The row was originally red #facebrick but they’ve all been painted differently, the fate of nearly … Continue reading Shop tops in Bridge Road Richmond →

Original post 23 March 2014: Only #housingcommision towers built in brick (1969). Heard it was built as private then bought by commssion but I think just #urbanmyth to explain why its not pebbledash #precast like all the others. From Johnston Street Fitzroy From Nicholson Street to the northeast. (one hiding the other) 28 November 2024 … Continue reading Housing Commission estate on Elgin Street, Carlton →