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 →

Im guessing this #CastIronVerandah in #RathdowneStreet #Carlton is original rather than an 80s/90s reproduction, judging from the moss. Interesting that A. it survived the wholesale removals of the 50s, and B. has posts slightly inset from each side. Nice to see the #CityOfMelbourne #CoatofArms there, not sure why or how that became a thing but … Continue reading Cast iron verandah realness, Carlton →

The super stylish #BoxHillGirlsTech, completed 1937, one of the earlier works by #PercyEverett, appointed Chief Architect of the #PublicWorksDepartment in 1934, and immediately most of the work went #Modernist/#ArtDeco; there’s streamlining here, with long Modernist #stripwindows, terminating in a vertical feature complete with flagpole, and a semi-circular element drawing you into the entrance, all in … Continue reading Percy does it again – Box Hill Girls Tech, 1937 →

#BoxHillTownHall looks fine, even in 35* heat. Great bit of interwar suburban #StrippedClassical grandeur, in fact the wings have almost no detailing. Built 1935, #JSGawler, a successful interwar practitioner, was ‘consulting architect’ and also a Councillor, maybe he really designed it. And in the garden there’s a pair of #CollinsStreet #castironlamps (actually probably from St … Continue reading Box Hill Town Hall, 1935 →