2012_Architecture_Changes

=Architectural Eras In Melbourne=

Melbourne. The city was founded in 1835, 47 years after European settlement, during the early Victorian era and thus has many examples of Gothic architecture, such as the ANZ Gothic Bank and St. Pauls Cathedral. But, 1835 was 200 years ago, the city also has many examples of Edwardian and pre and post-war architecture, like Flinders street station. This wiki is about the changes and differences in these styles. From 1835 through to present day Melbourne. From the Hotel Windsor through to the pixel building.



1835-1901 The Victorian era
The Victorian era began shortly before the settlement of Melbourne and ended in 1901, following queen Victorias death. This era saw lots of bluestone, arches, decorative fireplaces and pillers. While Melbourne is still getting bigger today, the most significant increase in the size of the city happened in its first 60 years. Melbourne started in what is now the CBD and surrounding areas, because of this most of the city's Victorian architecture is in these areas. As the Victorian era grew on, there appeared to be much less attention to detail in fictures such as fireplaces and pillars. Examples of Victorian architecture, in Melbourne, are the Hotel Windsor and the ANZ Gothic bank. One thing Melbourne is known for is its rows of Victorian townhouses and blue-stone, found often in areas like South Yarra and Toorak. But, right off Flinders Street you will find the city's first bluestone. Still standing Rutherglen house, est. 1842, is still today used as a residence. The house has of course been renovated, restored and extended. Rutherglen house is also the largest house in the CBD sitting at six stories.

1901-1914 The Edwardian era
After Queen Elizabeths death, in 1901, Edward the VII was declared King. This began the Edwardian era. Unlike the Georgian era and the Victorian era, the Edwardian era went for only 13 years, ending 4 years after King Edwards death in 1910. During this short era, Melbourne developed a large suburban area. The city has a large collection of Edwardian architecture such as Flinders Street Station. Built 1909, the station is a cultural icon in Melbourne, with its prominent dome. It operates 13 platforms and many believe that one of them is haunted by the ghost of a man named George. But Flinders Street Station isn't the city's only Edwardian building. Suburbs like south Yarra, Toorak and Malvern are full of Edwardian houses.

1914-1918 World War 1
During the first world war, people began using many new architectural styles such as exterior colour and driveways. This era saw the construction of many Californian bungalowcs and a large expansion of the city's suburban area. Single story houses where also very common in this era. Architecture from this era, was in many ways similar to that of the Edwardian era. But as the two eras where both short and followed each other, this is to be expected.

1918-1939 Inter War Period
Melbourne at one stage had quite a few buildings from this period which many of have sadly been demolished in the 60s, as well as a few Victorian and Edwardian structures. This period saw the increase of architectural elements, the first being fixtures and rooms being designed to accommodate furniture and people much more than a house built prior to this time, and the other being simplicity. Yes simplicity, it was around this time that people started to build for purpose rather than looks. Exposed brick exteriors became (and have continued be become since then) increasingly popular in this period. Through the twenties and thirties, art deco became a very popular style. One art deco building you may know is the Astor theater in St Kilda. First opened April 3 1936 the Astor still functions as a single screen, classic movie, cinema today. But, this isn't St Kildas only art deco building. No, St Kilda has a large collection of art deco architecture, like the ,former, palais theater and the Prince of Wales hotel. St Kilda is not, however, the only place in the city full of art deco architecture. The CBD is full of great, original art deco architecture. A few of the most famous being the Manchester Unity building and the myer building.

1939-1945 World War 2
This period is actuality one of my favorites, the early forties. Forties architecture was, in many ways, just a more modern and simple form of art deco architecture, which was popular in the thirties. Melbournes CBD saw some increase during this era, but nothing of much significance. One thing this era saw was, apartment blocks going into the suburbs. When i came to houses, in this time, roofs where usually slightly slanted or just plain flat, usually with some overhang. In offices as in houses, of this time, big rooms, hard wood floors and lots of, large plain, windows where all common styles used in the early forties in buildings such as the Park Royal hotel in north Melbourne.

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