In 1934, when Victoria was celebrating its Centenary, industrialist and philanthropist, Macpherson Robertson, provided £100,000 for public works. Victoria was in the grip of depression and his generosity was aimed at providing both work and new facilities. One of those new facilities was Mac.Roberston Girls' High School in South Melbourne.Mac.Rob, as it is often called, was designed by Norman Seabrook who later formed a partnership with Alan Fildes.
One of my favourite aspects of the building is the red framed widows on the ground floor, below the auditorium, separated by pillars of blue bricks. It looks stunning against the the cream bricks of the rest of the building.
And the Art Deco 'rule of three' is proven with this exception. The flagpole has four supports!
Mac.Robertson Girls' High School website
Robertson, Sir Macpherson (1859 - 1945), Australian Dictionary of Biography - Online Edition
Seabrook, Norman Hugh (1906 - 1978), Australian Dictionary of Biography - Online Edition
Great looking building, love the brick colour, this colour seems to have been used in quite a number of Victorian buildings.
ReplyDeleteYes we do seem to love this cream coloured brick.
ReplyDeletebrickwork very much influenced by the Amsterdam School, see Willem Dudok. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks
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