Southern Cross Assurance Company, 8 Market Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Southern Cross Assurance Company, 8 Market Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 106439
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Textual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2022:__________________________________________________DATE: 1962;ASSOCIATIONS: Southern Cross Assurance Company;DESIGNER: Alsop, H Garnet & Ptnrs.;BUILDER: E A Watts Pty LtdPeriod: Post-WarNotable features: Balcony access, heat absorbing glass.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistory'Cross-Section' Magazine (April, 1962) congratulated the Southern Cross Assurance Company's new offices for the ingenuity shown in the use of heat absorbing glass panels to protect the exposed west elevation from the fierce summer sun. The protective screen was also an elegant secondary facade, lending the allusion of fine mullioned fenestration, but the actual facade was less pretty and too visible and the 'starry-eyed symbolism' of a giant Southern Cross planted on the exposed service core, was 'just too corny' for contemporary connoisseurs. Then wedged somewhat rudely between two conservative Renaissance revival warehouses (one now demolished), the new building (among a number of new city buildings) inspired criticism for both a lack of architectural manners and invention. Comment was made generally (of this building and others) that' ... designers are retreating from architecture and tending towards more pattern-making, from vitality of concept (in the 1950s awakening) to manipulation of cladding effects', The glittering Southern Cross was the epitome of the new applied ornamentation, not ten years after the first flood of functionalism had hit the City.Commenced in 1960, the building's new 1962 tenants were the parent company and Southern Star Fire Accident &General Insurance Co. Ltd., Kempster & Love, indenters, Arcweld Constructions Pty. Ltd., engineers, and, of course, the Cafe Constellation. The architects were H. Garnet Alsop & Partners, builders, E. A. Watts, Pty. Ltd" and structural engineers, Milton Johnson & Associates.DescriptionSix upper levels and ground and once the building has recently undergone distinctive shades and refinishing taking their twinkling constellation adorned with architectural sun glasses (heat-absorbing screens), a complete external renovation, involving removal of the walls. The Southern Cross Insurance Co. had already gone, taking their twinkling constellation with them.External IntegrityCompletely renovated.StreetscapeIsolated.SignificanceOnce distinguished by its use of "heat-absorbing glass, (held separate from the facade to avoid heat conduction but still liable to radiate heat), the recent changes have removed the glass and all period expression..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites RAIA 20th century reg.__________________________________________________BUILDING IDEAS (CSR) March 196558 Southern Cross Assurance Co. Ltd. 8-12 MarketStreet, 1961 H. Garnet Alsop and PartnersThe building faces west, but the rays of the afternoon sun are modified by heat-absorbent glass held beyond the main façade.__________________________________________________NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC) 2014. MELBOURNE'S MARVELLOUS MODERNOriginal NameSouthern Cross InsuranceCurrent Name Reed HouseAddress 8 Market Street, MelbourneArchitect H Garnet AlsopCompleted: 1961-62Significance:Once distinguished by its use of heat absorbing glass the six upper levels were adorned with architectural sun glasses (heat absorbing screens) resulting in a complex façade incorporating a recessed curtain wall with a frame grid at the building line supporting thin metal horizontal sunshades. One side – over the entrance - clad in stone. Intactness: At ground level, column and framing line intact but shop entry moved and framing changed. A complete external renovation in 1986 involved removal of the distinctive shades and refinishing of the walls.References:CAD Study, (1984) Graeme ButlerListings: City of Melb C
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Record number:
1259913
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 106439 | 1 PDF : 990 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |