Something we can Learn from Perth
Something we can Learn from Perth
I have recently purchased a book called "Tall Buildings: Australian Business Going Up" in which it details the growth of the high-rise building and how it helped transform Australia's cities into modern metropoles. The book primarily details the period 1945-1970 but it contains many examples from the pre-war period too. The book contains many photos of exemplary buildings, from throughout Australia. Included in the book as one of the most significant buildings of that period was the former Advertiser Building of 1959 which was demolished for CCT2 in 2006. This made me curious as to how many of these exemplary buildings from that period are still standing.
From my further research on googlemaps, I have discovered that Adelaide and Melbourne have been the best in preserving their exemplary buildings from the period. Sydney and Brisbane have done an adequate job, although many buildings have been demolished in Sydney. However a very dishonarble mention must go to Perth. None of their exemplary buildings have survived. They have all been demolished or been chnaged so much that they are no longer recognisable.
Observe, how much of their history those in WA have lost:
The MLC Building of 1958 which even though was heritage listed was stripped to its skeleton in 2001.
and transformed into this bland monstrosity...
http://www.onesteel.com/images/db_image ... t21ssp.pdf
The CML Building was demolished in 1980:
The 1962 T&G Building, which is regarded as one of the finest designs of the 60's was radically altered in 1993:
SGIO Building of 1957 was radically altered in the 90's:
Queensland Insurance Building of 1962, radically altered in the 1990s
What we can learn from the mistakes of Perth is to value exemplary architecture from ALL periods not just the stone buildings of the 1800's. The buildings I've listed are those which feature in the aforementioned book and were thus considered amongst the most exceptional examples of architecture in Australia from the period 1945-1970. I know such architecture is not loved by many, but I think that if a building is considered an exemplary example of its style by experts it deserves some kind of protection. If not, and we allow such buildings to be destroyed I fear that future generations will condemn us in the same manner we condemn those who destroyed buildings such as the Exhibition Building on North Terrace.
For example, here in Adelaide, exemplary buildings from that period which do not have heritage prtection include the napier Building of 1959, the Savings Bank of SA building on Hindley Street of 1959, the City Mutual Life Building of 1957, the Zurich Insurance Building of 1962 the State Administration Centre of 1968 and the AMP Building of 1968.
From my further research on googlemaps, I have discovered that Adelaide and Melbourne have been the best in preserving their exemplary buildings from the period. Sydney and Brisbane have done an adequate job, although many buildings have been demolished in Sydney. However a very dishonarble mention must go to Perth. None of their exemplary buildings have survived. They have all been demolished or been chnaged so much that they are no longer recognisable.
Observe, how much of their history those in WA have lost:
The MLC Building of 1958 which even though was heritage listed was stripped to its skeleton in 2001.
and transformed into this bland monstrosity...
http://www.onesteel.com/images/db_image ... t21ssp.pdf
The CML Building was demolished in 1980:
The 1962 T&G Building, which is regarded as one of the finest designs of the 60's was radically altered in 1993:
SGIO Building of 1957 was radically altered in the 90's:
Queensland Insurance Building of 1962, radically altered in the 1990s
What we can learn from the mistakes of Perth is to value exemplary architecture from ALL periods not just the stone buildings of the 1800's. The buildings I've listed are those which feature in the aforementioned book and were thus considered amongst the most exceptional examples of architecture in Australia from the period 1945-1970. I know such architecture is not loved by many, but I think that if a building is considered an exemplary example of its style by experts it deserves some kind of protection. If not, and we allow such buildings to be destroyed I fear that future generations will condemn us in the same manner we condemn those who destroyed buildings such as the Exhibition Building on North Terrace.
For example, here in Adelaide, exemplary buildings from that period which do not have heritage prtection include the napier Building of 1959, the Savings Bank of SA building on Hindley Street of 1959, the City Mutual Life Building of 1957, the Zurich Insurance Building of 1962 the State Administration Centre of 1968 and the AMP Building of 1968.
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
available from all good bookstores?
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
I doubt it. I remember seeing the book at the gift-shop of the City of Sydney Museum, however the price was inhibitory, and so I left it at that. Then in late November I was having an unrelated discussion whereby someone mentioned that you can get books at ridiculously low prices over the internet, and hence I recalled this book, and decided to look for it over the internet, and to my luck, I was able to get it for $19! at Abebooks.Wayno wrote:available from all good bookstores?
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
Just to clarify, Perth has not destroyed all of their exemplary high-rise buildings from the period. One has survived.
The amazing Council House, which is regarded as one of the best examples of the purity of modernism. However they did try to demolish it earlier this decade, however it managed to survive!
The amazing Council House, which is regarded as one of the best examples of the purity of modernism. However they did try to demolish it earlier this decade, however it managed to survive!
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
Also try book depository, Usually cheaper than ABE booksWill wrote:Wayno wrote:available from all good bookstores?I was able to get it for $19! at Abebooks.
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
Ah yes. I walked past that building several times on a trip earlier this year and I thought it was brand new!Will wrote:Just to clarify, Perth has not destroyed all of their exemplary high-rise buildings from the period. One has survived.
The amazing Council House, which is regarded as one of the best examples of the purity of modernism. However they did try to demolish it earlier this decade, however it managed to survive!
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
Well said, Will. Many of the buildings from the 1945-1970 era have a wonderful purity of line and proportion that is missing from modern imitations.
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
And they've also "turned the lights on" the building..Will wrote:Just to clarify, Perth has not destroyed all of their exemplary high-rise buildings from the period. One has survived.
The amazing Council House, which is regarded as one of the best examples of the purity of modernism. However they did try to demolish it earlier this decade, however it managed to survive!
It looks ok...
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
Am I wrong to think that something like that would look fantastic on the MCL Building in Victoria Square?oscar13 wrote:
Keep Adelaide Weird
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
I actually live in Perth and it looks much better than in the picture...SRW wrote:Am I wrong to think that something like that would look fantastic on the MCL Building in Victoria Square?
Here is another story about it, and a few other pics as well...
http://www.viccreations.com.au/2010/04/ ... e-evening/
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Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
It would look great - actually putting things like that on all (modern) buildings of Victoria Square would look awesome.SRW wrote:Am I wrong to think that something like that would look fantastic on the MCL Building in Victoria Square?
Will wrote:Victorians can get f#$%^&*!
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
I'm not a big fan of Perth at all but that LED lighted building looks brilliant
Don't burn the Adelaide Parkland (preservation society)
Re: Something we can Learn from Perth
yeah the shots of the building lit up with silhouette of the palm tree in front are fantastic
very glamorous
very glamorous
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