brutalist charm

Brutalist Architecture in Australia

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Residential Complex “Münsterpark” (1971-76) in Düsseldorf, Germany, by Walter Brune

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Looks like a Sirius building doppelganger.

Thanks to the appalling actions of the Liberal/National NSW Government our Sirius building in Sydney has been committed to destruction or demolition, in total disregard to expert recommendations to preserve it, but we at least have this one as an alternative! You just have to leave your own country to see it.

If you feel strongly about the Liberal/National NSW Governments disregard for your heritage then I urge you to vote appropriately in the next election. Thats all any Government understands, votes

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It would be a great shame to loose the Sirius building. A shame! This is how we destroy our heritage for future generations. All for the short term profit of a few.

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Commonwealth Bank Glenroy Name: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Glenroy Branch Address: 781-783 Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy, Victoria  The Commonwealth Banking Corporation (CBC), as it was known at the time, was bold in it’s architecture. This suburban branch was built with Brutalist influences which must have been quite daring for the ‘burbs. I suppose it was intended to make a statement and it continues to do so to this day. It’s curious that two Brutalist inspired buildings should be so close to one another with the Glenroy Library, see earlier post, being only one block away.

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Geelongs ‘Upside-down’ building

Name: State Public Offices[4], later State Government Offices Address: 30-38 Little Malop Street, Geelong Victoria Design Date: c. 1975[1] Completion Date: c. 1978-79[4] Design Architect: Victorian Public Works Department Project Architect: Buchan Laird & Buchan Project Managed:  J. C. Taylor & Sons Pty. Ltd. Commissioned by: The Victorian Public Offices Corporation[2][3]

Known by locals as the ‘Upside-down’ building, this Brutalist icon is better known as the State Government Offices. Three sides of the building defy gravity whilst the fourth is a nondescript flat wall, albeit with lots of windows. 

The historic image of the newly completed building and the description below have come from Buchan Laird & Buchan marketing material titled ‘Ninety Years of Architecture in Victoria: A History 1890-1980’ from the early 1980′s. This material is reproduced here with permission from The Buchan Group.

“The Victorian Government has for some time been engaged on a policy of developing major government offices in strategic provincial locations as a means of decentralising its activities. In Geelong, this policy was given form by the development of a six-storey building of unusual design, which was dictated by site considerations and located in Little Malop Street. The building was designed by the Victorian Public Works Department. Buchan Laird & Buchan was commissioned to provide the detailed documentation necessary for the work. The development was project managed by J. C. Taylor & Sons Pty. Ltd. The futuristic design makes the best possible use of the somewhat limited site, and provides excellent views over Geelong's central Johnston Park. It blends in well with a series of important civic buildings in Little Malop Street, designed over the years by BLB, including the Geelong Regional Library headquarters, the Historical Records Centre, the Art Gallery and the Geelong City Hall West Wing. Together, these buildings create an outstanding and attractive civic precinct which has enhanced the character of the city, and has served to harmonise modern buildings with the city's other buildings of historic and architectural significance. The new State office building was officially opened in 1976.”

That the "building was officially opened in 1976" is contradicted by various State Government Public Works and Services Bill Explanatory Memoranda.

The Victorian Public Works and Services Bill Explanatory Memoranda for various years outline Government expenditure and progress of various projects, including the State Government Offices. The first mention of the project is in the Explanatory Memorandum for 1975 which states.

"A large office block is being planned at Geelong for use as public offices. Contract drawings will be completed this financial year."[1]

This shows that the detailed drawings are being prepared in 1975/76 and that construction has not yet commenced at this time.

The Explanatory Memorandum for 1976 shows that construction had started by 1976 and that the expected completion date was 1978.

"The Public Offices Corporation is constructing the new public offices block in Geelong which will accommodate 700 public servants from 30 State departments and agencies in the Geelong area. Work has already commenced on these offices which are of unusual design and are shaped in the form of a truncated pyramid. They are expected to be completed in 1978."[2]

The 1977 Explanatory Memorandum adds.

"... the Victorian Public Offices Corporation is constructing the new State public office block at Geelong at an estimated cost of $8 Million."[3] The 1978 Explanatory Memorandum contains the last reference to the building which is described as the 'State Public Offices'.

"The construction by the Victorian Public Offices Corporation of new State Public Offices at Geelong is now nearing completion and the construction of new offices at Ballarat has commenced."[4] The 1978 Explanatory Memorandum shows that construction was not yet complete at the end of 1978 when the Explanatory Memorandum was published however there are no further mentions of the building in later years which suggests that no further major work had taken place after 1978.

Notes: 1. Public Works and Services Bill 1975 Explanatory Memorandum, (Melbourne: C. H. Rixon Government Printer, 1975), 5 Available here:http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/download.cgi/cgi-bin/download.cgi/download/au/legis/vic/bill_em/pwasb1975277.pdf

2. Public Works and Services Bill 1976 Explanatory Memorandum, (Melbourne: C. H. Rixon Government Printer, 1976), 8 Available here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/download.cgi/cgi-bin/download.cgi/download/au/legis/vic/bill_em/pwasb1976277_3.pdf 3. Public Works and Services Bill 1977 Explanatory Memorandum, (Melbourne: F. D. Atkinson Government Printer, 1977), 10 Available here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/bill_em/pwasb1977277/pwasb1977277_3.html 4. Public Works and Services Bill 1978 Explanatory Memorandum, (Melbourne: F. D. Atkinson Government Printer, 1978), 12 Available here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/bill_em/pwasb1978277/pwasb1978277_2.html More Pyramid buildings here: http://io9.gizmodo.com/these-upside-down-pyramid-buildings-seem-to-defy-gravit-1570254716 

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Sirius Apartment Building Name: Sirius Apartment Building Address: 36-50 Cumberland Street, The Rocks Design Date: 1975 Completion Date: 1979 Design Architect: Tao (Theodore) Gofers Commission by: Housing Commission The Sirius Apartment Building in April 2014, whilst still occupied. The Heritage Council of NSW has recommended that the building be heritage listed by the NSW Government however the listing has not yet taken place. Read more about this endangered building here; NSW Government, Office of Environment and Heritage; http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5062575 ArchitectureAU, Heritage Council throws support behind Sydney brutalist icon; http://architectureau.com/articles/heritage-council-throws-support-behind-sydney-brutalist-icon/ Millers Point (Community group); http://millerspointcommunity.com.au/the-place/sirius/

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Warringah Council Chambers. Dee Why, New South Wales

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Warringah Council Chambers. Dee Why, New South Wales. (1973)

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ABC Radio National does Brutalism Michael Williams talks to Professor Michael Trudgeon, RMIT School of Architecture and Dr Ursula de Jong, deputy chair of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) about Brutalist architecture in Australia, it’s history, relevance and the reasons to protect Brutalist architecture for future generations. This is a great primer for anyone wondering what the fuss about Brutalism is about.

Beauty of the beast: An argument for Australia's brutalist architecture Blueprint for Living - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Listen to the full discussion here: http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2016/05/bfl_20160514_1005.mp3 And yes, that’s Total House pictured above, because it’s discussed in the ABC Radio National program. Several of these supports hold the TV styled office building above the roof of the car park.

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Glenroy Library Address: 737-741 Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy, VIC, 3046 Design Date: 1970 Completion Date: May 1971 Architects: Harry Winbush & Associate - Architects Project Architect: J. Honson Commission by: Broadmeadows City Council

Architects sometimes quibble over the precise style of a building. Sometimes there isn’t a rubber stamp that’s perfect for the job and maybe that’s the case here. None the less the Brutalist inspirations in this building are obvious with extensive use of board marked off form concrete, not just externally but also in the supporting columns inside the large open public area. The interior has been partially remodelled, possibly around the late 1990's when the original counters were replaced and layout altered slightly, however the exterior has remained unchanged maintaining it's Brutalist inspired charm. Harry Winbush (1903 – 1990) was a prominent Melbourne Architect. Read more about him here: https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/harry-winbush/

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Up close and personal with Total House (Total Carpark) Thanks to the wonderful folks at Melbourne Architours, and Open House Melbourne, for their Brutalist Melbourne tour which included access inside Total House.

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The Blackwood Street Bunker Stories about Brutalist buildings rarely end well. So this is a rare story. This wonderful example of a Brutalist building dates to 1979[1] which is nearly the end of the Brutalist period in Melbourne. Known now as the “Blackwood Street Bunker” you can see it for yourself, if only from the outside, at 22-28 Blackwood Street North Melbourne. As if to rub lesser Brutalist buildings noses in it, this building has some great Brutalist details such as a small section of concrete roof falling to a concrete box gutter and concrete rainhead (see image), albeit serviced by a new metal one underneath. This is Brutalist Gold. Clare Cousins Architects and Maben Group (a construction firm) refurbished the building in 2013 to their own needs and Clare Cousins Architects still occupy part of the building today. The refurbishment was driven and inspired by the buildings strong Brutalist style, albeit one hidden under a previous owners render of shame. Brutalist buildings weren’t always popular, nor are they today except to a minority, but they are staring to be appreciated and acknowledged. The exterior was altered as little as possible. However, somewhere in it’s history the building was rendered and this render had to be removed to reveal the original off-form concrete so typical of Brutalist buildings. The removal of the render also revealed original logo’s and sign writing painted onto the raw concrete. Conversely the interior was altered considerably although with consideration for the buildings Brutalist style. The floors are polished concrete and many of the interior surfaces and joinery are of plywood in an ode to the buildings Brutalist DNA. See the links below for further details about the refurbishment. The wonder and joy of this story is in reality that such a powerfully stylised building, as is any Brutalist building, can be brought back to life to serve the needs of modern man and woman whilst maintaining it’s original Brutalist charm, if not it’s original decor. You don’t have to destroy a Brutalist buildings character and styling to make it desirable. Clare Cousins said in a 2014 article about the refurbishment[1] "Since moving into this space, there's been a positive effect for both staff and clients." Also, “This space has a powerful effect on one's mood. We feel extremely fortunate to be working here." No doubt many more Brutalist buildings could be brought back to life as is exemplified here. All that’s needed is the will and desire to do so. Read more about the refurbishment here;

Architectural 'brutalism' rises to an old level http://www.smh.com.au/business/architectural-brutalism-rises-to-an-old-level-20141030-11e6az.html Blackwood Street Bunker http://architectureau.com/articles/blackwood-street-bunker/

Notes; 1. Stephen Crafti, “Architectural 'brutalism' rises to an old level,” Sydney Morning Herald, November 1, 2014http://www.smh.com.au/business/architectural-brutalism-rises-to-an-old-level-20141030-11e6az.html

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Total House, also known as Total Carpark, is on the corner of Russell and Little Bourke Streets in Melbourne. It is one of Melbournes most prominent and important Brutalist buildings and was included in the Victorian Heritage Register in 2014. The building is characterised by a ‘TV set’ which appears to float above the upper most level of the car park. This ‘TV set’ is the office building housing various businesses including several Architectural firms. Billboard nightclub occupies the space below the car park which was originally a cinema.  Total House was built c.1965 and the architects were Bogle Banfield & Associates.

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The National Gallery of Australia was designed and constructed for the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) and opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 12th of October 1982. Although it has been altered significantly since it’s original construction much of the original Brutalist building is still there to be appreciated.

More about the National Gallery of Australia: http://nga.gov.au/AboutUs/building/building.cfm (includes images of the original design) http://www.architecture.com.au/docs/default-source/act-notable-buildings/full-citation.pdf?sfvrsn=0 By the way, it’s a great art gallery, as is the National Portrait Gallery next door. Don’t miss them if you visit Canberra.

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National Carillon, opened 1969, Aspen Island, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia.

Designed by Cameron, Chisholm & Nicol Pty Ltd architects.

According to the plaque at the Carillon, 'The Carillon, a musical instrument comprising 53 bronze bells, was a gift from the British Government to the people of Australia to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Capital. Queen Elizabeth II accepted the Carillon on behalf of all Australians on 26th April 1970.'

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This is the Brutalist CSIRO Black Mountain Library on Dickson Way in Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia. Like many Brutalist building in Australia it is well hidden, surrounded by trees, often natives. The last image shows a modern extension which was addaed in approx 2004.

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Brutalist 'Open Systems House', formerly 'Churchill House' at 218 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT. This is the front view, from Northbourne Avenue, showing the courtyard.

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Brutalist 'Open Systems House', formerly 'Churchill House' at 218 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT. This is the front view, from Northbourne Avenue, showing the courtyard.