Original post 10 December 2019 MMTB (Tramways Board) 1962 plan for putting some CBD trams underground - better than replacing them with buses, but I’m glad I don’t have to use an escalator to get from the tram stop to Myers. The plan also shows the city loop, but with statins in different spots. Actually … Continue reading Trams underground ? →

20 December 2023 In 2017 I did an article for the Art Deco & Modernist Society journal on the only 4 Art Deco churches built in Victoria. Others have some Deco elements but these are the most fully fledged; 3 from the 30s and one from the 50s. First is the 1939 Apostolic Church in … Continue reading Four Art Deco churches →

Original post 18 December 2018: Architect #NormanHitchcock wasn’t one for holding back - the #VictoriaBuildings in #SmithStreetFitzroy, built 1889, have mad fat pilasters with exaggerated entasis, so much wider at the bottom, plus his usual brackets on top of columns, loads of #vermiculation, and oddly non-symmetrical brackets under the cornice - which it turns out … Continue reading Norman Hitchcock exaggeration in Smith Street →

Original post 18 December 2016: Rather horrifying design for a tower for #RMITUniversity, cnr #SwanstonStreet and #LaTrobeStreet, 1969, #BatesSmartandMcCutcheon architects (now just #batessmart). Would have replaced #StoreyHall and overshadowed the #statelibraryvictoria forecourt. The raised podium would possibly have been the worst part. Much prefer the Edwardian shirt factory, even with the green brain. What looks … Continue reading Brutalism at RMIT →

Original post -5 December 2020: Oddfellows House is right opposite the State Library - originally quite striking bit of Art Deco, it’s reasonably intact, though with the paint and trees it doesn’t look that exciting anymore. It was built as an investment block for Manchester Unity in 1940-41, designed of course by #MarcusBarlow - I … Continue reading MUIOOF Building, Swanston Street →

14 December 2018: Laird and Buchan, with a young #PercyEverett, won a competition for the park in 1916, and also designed the particularly delightful almost Art Nouveau #bandstand built in 1919. Then they also designed on axis the elaborate Edwardian Baroque #WarMemorial, which rather nicely is called the #PeaceMemorial, built just after in 1922. It … Continue reading Johnstone Park , Geelong →

10 December 2023 Some photos from the Balwyn and North Balwyn heritage peer review - 18 places, mostly houses, going forward for heritage protection. I’m sure there’s more (or were more - some were proposed in 2015), but the good councillors at the @cityofboroondara have always been wary of the idea that modern can be … Continue reading Balwyn Modern →

2 February 2025 Pride March over, time for architecture! The wild curvy Pride Centre in Fitzroy Street, first pic just after the parade, others a week ago - as I said in 2021, the design, by @grantamonarchitects and @bauarchitects.urbanists, doesn’t attempt to represent LGBTQI in some obvious way (thank goodness) but instead was inspired by … Continue reading Victorian Pride Centre, St Kilda →

10 December 2023 Odd little survivor on Chapel Street, sandwiched between Dan Murphy’s and a Kathmandu. The arches now all blocked off on the upper floor perhaps once big windows. It goes right back to the carpark - and I now see the back end has a sign for the Big Store and a nice … Continue reading Big Store walkway Chapel Street →

Original post 7 December 2018: Harcourt & Parry Drapery, 1888, by #CrouchandWilson, sits very grandly in Park Street #SouthMelbourne, near the Town Hall; and unusually the facade is made of carved stone, and there’s a little tower, and you can see ‘H&P’ in lovely curly script up there. It was I guess a mini department … Continue reading Very big store, South Melbourne →