#ArchiNerd research - finally got to see the archive plan I wanted - and yes the building in #LittleBourkeStreet that I thought was interesting 50s is actually 1940 ! The only change is the pink gridded area being rendered in grey (and losing the cute rooftop sign). Designed by RM & MH King, it was … Continue reading Chart House, from the archives. →

23 December 2018 Excellent bank in #ChapelStreetSouthYarra by #WalterButler, built 1918; a very ‘muscular’ as they say composition, the #ioniccolumns almost lost within the deep reveal, high #rusticated base, and those wild stylised hanging things either side. Butler is better known for Arts & Crafts / Old English houses for the wealthy, so this is … Continue reading Union Bank, Chapel Street, 1918. →

December 2018: This grand frontage of the Gordon Institute in #Geelong was created in the late 1940s, and designed my fave architect #PercyEverett. He was tasked with added a Textile School to the college, so of course took the opportunity to mark his mark, so the addition has a pair of tower elements, and elaborate … Continue reading Percy Everett hometown statement. →

Random photo from the archives, Xmas 2015; the fabbo shops in #FaradayStreetCarlton, built 1886, long occupied by #Brunettis before they moved round the corner in 2012. They’re by designer/builder #NormanHitchcock with his characteristic #HighVictorian elaboration, with #cherubs, extra flowery brackets, giant faces, #Corinthian everything, and solid ‘muscular’ details, namely the fat fluted window #pilasters. He … Continue reading Norman Hitchcock goes to town. →

I reckon this looks quite good, even through the trees. Not sure why, maybe it’s the unusual #pattern or colour combo, or just because the slightly green #blinds go well with the trees (or do they look green because of the trees?). Maybe because of its unusual genesis ? It’s a #palimpsest, grey #barcode cladding … Continue reading Curtain wall through the trees – London Assurance, 1959 →

The #Skyrail stations are actually huge compared to the crappy 30s-60s shops next to them (in one case less than a metre!), but it doesn’t feel bad, or cramped it even ‘under’ probably because it’s so high, that you tend to sort of look under it, and the station itself is off to one side. … Continue reading Skyrail stations →

The landscaping around the #Skyrail stations by @aspectstudios is attractive, nice coloured tiles, a bit contemporary angly, lots of Melbourne bluestone (too much maybe) and solid, hard wearing by the looks. Simple anti-skateboard notches. Not sure too many people will actually sit here though.

So the ‘Skyrail’ under-parks (#underline?) actually well used, or at least the #pingpong and basketball bits - so many kids, not many adults - I guess there arnt too many similar things so easily accessible and ‘surveilled’. The path itself, called #DjerringTrail not so busy, but there were some cyclists. A successful design by @aspectstudios. … Continue reading Sky Rail underparks – Djerring Trail. →

Rebuilt and upgraded #AlexanderTheatre at #MonashUniversityClayton, originally 1967, #EgglestonMacdonaldandSecomb, a small scale monument in 60s idiom - @peterelliott.architects valiantly retained as much as possible given OH&S, expanded brief and #asbestostile cladding (!) (even though it’s not #heritagelisted), and stripped it back to structure, rebuilt and reclad - I like the patterned precast on the tower, … Continue reading Monash Clayton update →

Burwood Methodist Church, 1961, Alexander Harris and Associates. One of the best examples of the popular A frame applied to Modernist churches. I’d never noticed it, it was once much more of a landmark on the #BurwoodHighway as in the early photo; the #gumtrees have hidden it away from the busy intersection it once dominated. … Continue reading Suburban Modern Church -Burwood Methodist 1961 →