Dunach & Rowsley, Warragul

An interesting pair of Spanish Mission style houses in Warragul.

Dunach, on the left, is exceedingly plain with the exception of the leadlight windows and the stepped supports under the window sills.

Even the entrance, which is tucked down the side on the house looks to have little or no decoration.

Rowsley, on the other hand, is a confection. Exotic arches at the entrance and along the verandah separated by barley twist columns.

Only the leadlight windows and the nameplates show that these houses are, indeed, a pair.

Old Commerce Building, University of Melbourne

Once upon a time, 1858-59 according to the National Trust of Australia classification, the Bank of New South Wales built their Melbourne head office, designed by Joseph Reed, in Collins Street. By the 1930s, the bank needed a new building so their old head office was demolished but the façade was saved and gifted to the University of Melbourne.

In 1938 it was incorporated into what became known as the Old Commerce Building at the university's Parkville campus. You can see the join in the photo below.

Old Commerce had some nice deco features as you will see in the following pics.

And some nice metalwork on the stairways inside.

Over the summer, the Old Commerce Building was demolished to allow for the construction of a new building for the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, but don't worry, the old bank facade will be saved and in the new building. And some of the deco fittings from Old Commerce were offered for sale so hopefully the lamps and the window grills are still floating around somewhere.

former Nelson Bros Building, Williamstown

This imposing 1936 building in Williamstown if the former home of Nelson Bros Funeral Directors.

Reference:
Melbourne Art Deco, Robin Grow, Ripe Off the Press, Collingwood, 2009

former China Aviation Association Building, Shanghai

This amazing doorway belongs to one of the best Art Deco buildings in Shanghai. Designed by Dayu Doon, it was built in 1935 as a building for the China Aviation Association. The insignia above the door attests to that aviation link.

But there is another, more tangible link to the original purpose of this building.

The front of the building consists of the central circular section with two full-height wings, one on either side, of course. This front section is than connected to another pair of wings but a tapering corridor with a rounded roof sloping downwards as it progresses towards the rear wings which are smaller both in height and width than the other pair.

It's an aeroplane!

I tried and failed to get an aerial shot of the building but if you want to see what it looks like, check out this great picture by meckleychina on flickr.

Reference:
Shanghai Art Deco by Tess Johnston & Deke Erh - Old China Hand Press - 2006

James Smiths Corner, Wellington

From 1866 until 1993 James Smith and the company that grew from his original drapery business were a major part of the Wellington retail sector. This building was constructed in 1907 and the firm had architects King & Dawson modernise the façade in 1932 and design an extension along Manners Street in 1934. Further extensions was also added in Cuba Street in the 1960s.

Ten year's after the store closed, the building is still used for retail purposes and the corner still bears the James Smith name.

Reference:
Art Deco Heritage Trail, Wellington City Council, 1996 (2nd Ed 2005)

Apartments, Wellington

Benge's Building, Upper Hutt

I'm not sure if Benge's Building in Upper Hutt was built year's ago or yesterday. It still has style though.

A Survivor in Flamengo

An interesting little building on Praia do Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro.

Convent Notre Dame de Sion, Warragul

The foundation stone of the Convent Notre Dame de Sion in Warragul gives us some good information. It was laid and blessed by Most Rev R Ryan, Bishop of Sale on 16th July 1939.

The convent was designed by architect, P J O'Connor and W A O'Donnell Pty Ltd were the builders.

Scotts Building, Cape Town

This office building, constructed in 1933, was designed by architect, W H Grant.

It's on the corner of Darling and Plein Streets in Cape Town.

The upper floors have exquisite decoration which continues down the façade above the entrance.

Reference:
Art Deco Architecture - Cape Town Map, Cape Art Deco Society, 2003

Warragul Shire Council Saleyards

This deco building is part of what was originally the Warragul Shire Council Saleyards. With a rationalisation of Victoria's local government areas in the mid 1990s, Warragul Shire became part of Baw Baw Shire and at some point the sale yards become the Baw Baw Livestock Exchange Pty Ltd.

It's lovely that they didn't remove the old lettering when the ownership changed.

Arches, Jin Jiang Hotel, Shanghai

Jin Jiang Hotel, Shanghai

Garage Cerrito, Montevideo

This is the Garage Cerrito in Montevideo designed by architect Rafael Lorente. It's got so much going for it. Portholes. An entrance with a great shape.

I really like how the columns seem to break through the angled wall of the entrance.

And, of course, the architect's name proudly displayed on the façade.