31 January 2019 (update it’s changed a bit) : I can’t say I like the foyer of the 1990 #101collins, but I admire it, for its huge scale and luxury finishes…and of course the bombast of the ginormous #travertine #DoricColumns, a bit of #postmodernirony since they don’t hold anything up, except our expectations. So there’s … Continue reading 101 Collins lobby →

29 January 2024: First pic is Kerferd Road pier in summer 2017-2018. Unlike Brookes Jetty - which took 7 years of lobbying to get rebuilt, in very clunky concrete - the Kerferd Road pier was rebuilt in two years or so, exactly as it was. It was part closed by Parks Victoria due to safety … Continue reading Kerferd Road pier, 1889 →

Original post 26 January 2021 I do like all periods of architecture, including modernism, but this doesn’t float my boat. One of the less interesting of the 55 post war #officeblocks that’s proposed for #heritagelisting - #WalesCorner, at Collins & Swanston, was built 1964-66, and designed by #StephensonTurner, best known for their 1930s hospitals. Like … Continue reading Wales Corner →

28 January 2024: Some great photos of the very interesting Rosebud Uniting Church, built in 1967, and designed by Smith & Tracey. It features a steep swooping up roof made of a pair of hyperbolic paraboloids (also known as hypar), clad in copper. Inside, there’s a lot of great timber framework, and a tall triangular … Continue reading Parabolic roof – Rosebud Uniting Church, 1967 →

27 January 2024: That controversial development in Tiuna Grove, Elwood, nearly complete - in 2019, two WW1 era houses and another which had cream brick flats in front were to be demolished for a big apartment development. Locals were very organised and determined and supported by Council, and the houses were added to the heritage … Continue reading A development win, mostly →

Original post 27 January 2019: Fabbo office entry to the #ESandARoyalBankChambers, cnr Collins & Elizabeth, #StephensonAndTurner, 1941. Luxe Modern/ArtDeco (#artmoderne?), all #marble and #chromiumsteel. Looked better in 2011 when I took the first photo, didnt need that silly clashing gold light thing, installed in 2017 I think, had to turn the saturation down to get … Continue reading Fabulous foyer, 1941 →

24 January 2024: Finally got to see the new Brook(e)s Jetty at St Kilda Beach, near Luna Park, completed early 2022. It’s a nice idea, a 20m circular platform, with seating, and a floor largely of grating, with water sloshing below. Don’t know what it’s coated with, but it wasn’t hot on this hot day. … Continue reading Brook(e)s Jetty, St Kilda →

Original 20 January 2021: Spotted in #AlmaRoad St Kilda - a delightful house, with a corner turret and side entrance. Could be c1890 or c1900. Doesn’t appear to have any info in the port phillip heritage review, but is graded as ‘significant’. Update 2024: for sale now, real estate listing shows inside is grand but … Continue reading Eastcliff St Kilda, c1888 very advanced style →

Original post 26 January 2019: If you poke around, the interiors of the #ANAbuilding in Elizabeth Street near Flinders Lane has all these Australian animals here and there ! The #AustralianNativesAssociation was a #mutualsociety from the 19thC, providing insurance, sickness benefits etc for members. Being National by nature, they used ‘100% Australian timbers and marbles’ … Continue reading Australiana at ANA, Elizabeth Street →

Original post 22 January 2018: Bank of NSW, City Road, Southbank, 1932, #GodfreySpowers, rather nice and very unusual stylised Romanesque, with simple lines and zig zag details that look rather Art Deco. This bank must have served the low rise industrial and warehouse business that once dominated in this area. Now it’s a tiny #mote … Continue reading Great bank, City Road, →