18 March 2023: My next idea for the yet-to-be-built city square site- as some of you suggested why not just something with trees and grass? I thought since it’s a bit like a park, why not go organic? Grass and flowers/shrubs in raised planters in amoeba shapes, with a nice fountain in the middle. They’re … Continue reading City Square as an urban park →

Original post 18 March 2020: If you’re locked down and looking for some light reading, I’ve just had an article published on #HenryElyWhite, Australasia’s premier theatre architect of the 1910s and 20s in On Stage, the theatre historians magazine- link is in my bio. Henry designed at least 40 theatres and cinemas in Oz and … Continue reading Harry White architect →

Original post 18 March 2020: The new (ish) #FrankstonStation is pretty groovy; the design by #GentonArchitecture won a competition (the only station to have one), and it was finished mid 2018. The curves are meant to reference sand dunes, but I had to read that to get it. My main gripe is my usual one, … Continue reading Frankston Station →

Original post 17 March 2020: St Francis Xavier, Frankston, completed in 1954, designed by #AlanGRobertson. It’s one of those quite simple but nice hall- like designs with a low pitched roof, in #creambrick. They extended the narthex at some point, but it’s well done, and they moved the window forward so it’s still dominant. The … Continue reading St Francis Xavier, Frankston →

Original post 17 March 2016: DouttaGallaHotel 1888, great elegant detailing of the #splayedcorner. Clamshell above first floor window, delicate foliation on the panels above, topped by a #brokenpediment. Intact side entry, probably originally access to the residential floors above.

Original post from Mha page 17 March 2017: If you think this Art Deco building on Flinders Street shouldn't be demolished, have your voice heard ! Built in 1936 for Snow's Department Store, there is a proposal before Council to completely demolish for a 13 storey 215 room hotel designed in contemporary style. We think … Continue reading Snows Department Store →

Original post 17 March 2017: View from the stairs up to the #TheHillsRooftop, at the back of the doomed #DukeofKent hotel in #LatrobeStreet, off #FlanniganLane. Looks like every building in this area that isn't protected by the #GuildfordLane #heightlimit is or has already been replaced by an #apartmenttower. And the other way it’s towers too.

17 March 2019: The new face of #CliftonHill; the brown one is #agedcare (not exactly like the drawing) the other is apartments, another is proposed for behind the fabbo Art Deco facade, and another two beyond these already built, each a bit taller up to 17 storeys maybe. I don’t mind this being an island … Continue reading Clifton Hill going up →

Original post 17 March 2019: Can’t wander round #QueensParadeCliftonHill without snapping this one ! The United Kingdom Hotel, 1938, by far the most striking of the #ArtDeco pubs in Melbs (maybe because many are makeovers of Victorian pubs). Designed by #JamesWardrop, who also did the fab #AlkiraHouse, and before that co-designed the Shrine. He designed … Continue reading Art Deco McDonalds →

Original post 15 March 2019: Another landmark on #QueensParadeCliftonHill, built for the #NationalBankofAustralasia 1886, designed by W A Tyree (never heard of him before and just found out died that year aged 36 so no wonder). Anyway, strong #classicalrevival design with most unusual inset #verandah or #loggia behind that #arcaded and #trabeated #renaissancerevival screen. That … Continue reading Stylish Bank, Clifton Hill →