Citro Motors, Collingwood

I can't tell you how many times I have been to this workshop at 17 Smith St, Collingwood to have something or other fixed on my old 1976 Citroën Pallas. I don't have that car anymore but I still have a Citroën, albeit a newer model, a C4.

Naturally while I was out walking last weekend I looked across the road at Citro Motors and was taken aback by how good it looked when you aren't driving a crippled car up the driveway. The beautiful blue sky and glorious morning sun helped too.

Clearly the building was built in 1924 and certainly couldn't be described as high Art Deco but it does have some simple charm about it.

I like the simple windows. Those set back into the facade on the upper storey but, also, the one with the diagonal cross above the front door.

It is interesting to note that the only decoration is the two rondels, one either side of the year.

former Collingwood Technical College, Collingwood

The former Collingwood Technical College is a bit of a hidden gem in Melbourne's Art Deco landscape and international street art in general.

The building was designed by Public Works Department architect Percy Everitt in 1943 and this picture (above) shows the former main entrance. It has a cyclone fence across it now so it does look a bit neglected but at least it has been preserved.

A new entrance has been created around the corner where the former college is much more streamline with long horizontal bands of windows and cream coloured brick.

After facing the threat of demolition a few years ago, the former Tech is now used as a Neighbourhood Justice Centre by the State Government.

The twist in the history of the former college comes in 1984 when New York street artist Keith Haring visited Melbourne and painted the wall facing the car park. It features Haring's trademark simple figures with a large centipede with a computer for a head along the top.