Offices and Residences, also Whitehall, 18-20 Bank Place, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme01/01/1985
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Title:
Offices and Residences, also Whitehall, 18-20 Bank Place, Melbourne
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Date of work:
01/01/1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 100729
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materials
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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ASSOCIATED RESEARCH BY GRAEME BUTLER:Period: EdwardianConstruction Date: 1906Notable Features: Early reinforced concrete frame office building in Melbourne CBD; Impressive stone plinthGraeme Butler 1985 Melbourne Central Activities District Conservation StudyStatement of SignificanceHistoryThis edifice was the centre of an aesthetic debate within the Victorian Institute of Architects soon after its completion. Architects Tunbridge & Tunbridge had designed what some thought was unnecessary but handsome brick and stone cladding for a reinforced concrete frame which had been calculated on the French Monier principle by the system's Victorian co-agent and engineer, John Monash. Melbourne's city by laws forbade exposed reinforced concrete as not approved fireproof construction for external walls, hence the brick cladding where some thought render would do.DescriptionRed brick clad and typically austere neo Renaissance above, the building's base and ground levels are by contrast, it's stylistic hallmarks Sullivanesque, it possessed a richly foliated cement frieze at the first string mould and the rugged stone walls which supported it are impressive. Viewed as a whole the building lacks the open facade of its mentor's Carson Pirie & Scott building (1899) and belies the new structure principal under its brick skin.External IntegritySigns have been added and the entrance renovated.StreetscapeShares stylistic traits and finishes with the nearby, generally Edwardian structures (i.e. 19 Bank Place) whilst also remaining empathetic to the Savage Club adjoining.SignificanceAmong the first reinforced concrete framed office buildings in Victoria and in part possesses rich ornamentation after the manner of Louis Sullivan.FURTHER REFERENCESLewis, M. Australian Architecture Index:Record number 76918 Architect: Tunbridge & Tunbridge Owner: National Mutual Life Association Melbourne VIC Office Buildings –Builder: Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd Richmond 1905 09 18 City of Melbourne building application 9734City of Melbourne Building Permit Application Index, PROVArgyle Sq Carlton - Bowen Cres Nth Carlton 205/9601923 Oct 5657 ₤ 210 alts to basement .….1981 Feb 52947 ₤1500 Alts to stair entrance way (18 /20)Newspapers:CITY IMPROVEMENTS., -The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Mon 5 Mar 1906 Page 8 CITY IMPROVEMENTS.MODERN METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. .The activity in building enterprise which has manifested itself in the metropolis in recent months has been associated with a marked advance in the application of modern methods of construction, not only in regard to up to date methods of ventilation, heating, lighting and embellishments, but also in respect of the fundamental processes and materials employed. A striking example of a modern building is the new office and residential building now in course of erection in Bank-place, off Collins-street, Melbourne, for the National Mutual Life Association, to the designs of Messrs. Tunbridge and Tunbridge, architects, of this city. This building consists of a basement and six other stories, divided up for offices and residential flats. -The whole interior of the structure, exclusive of the external walls, is composed of reinforced concrete, the whole of the footings, columns, girders, joists, floors, stairs, safes, flat roof (internal), walls and partitions being of this material. There is no exposed structural ironwork whatever, and no wood is employed, except for doors and window frames. The fire resisting qualities of concrete have been well known for many years, but it was not until the principles of the combined use of steel and concrete had come to be scientifically understood and practically developed in recent years that its use on economic lines has become practicable. The system has heretofore been widely applied in bridge construction in Victoria and New South Wales, and has taken firm root both in Europe and in America. It is claimed that the work, besides being absolutely fire-proof, is practically everlasting in character, being subject neither to decay nor rust; that it is vermin proof, and that it increases in strength with age. Besides this, at occupies remarkably little space, the total thickness required for each floor being only some inches, and for each interior wall only 3 inches. In this way a maximum proportion of the total space between the enclosing outer walls is actually available for useful occupation. Colonel Tunbridge, C.B., representing the architects of the building, took advantage of the approaching completion of the main body of the work to invite to an inspection on Friday afternoon the president and members of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects, who attended inconsiderable numbers, and viewed the novel character of the work with great interest.The contractor for the building as a whole is Mr. C. Langford, while the interior is being carried out by the Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Company. The total cost of the building will be some £13,000, and it is anticipated that it will be ready for occupation in a very few weeks.
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Research and reports
Record number:
1179758
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 100729 | 1 PDF : 902 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |