Thursday 24 March 2011

That 70's House...

 I am also hoping to check out this super 70's house - no wait, I think we have to call it a 'pad' - at 31 Stanton Crescent, Rosanna (Jellis Craig). It looks pretty solid (understatement - much?) with a LOT of exposed brick and timber but there is something very cool about it I think. Perhaps it takes me back to the days when my parents would take my sister and I to visit their friends in Melbourne. Us country girls had never seen houses like these with their brick walls on the inside, the fernery courtyards and split level floor plans. Perhaps I just associate the 70's style house with being carried sleeping from the car! 
 
They do have a real warmth and handcrafted feel about them yet the spaces are large and lofty and light..... On the other hand, there is an awful lot of brown to eradicate! 

Weekend Adventures

I am hoping to get away from the computer (and the kitchen - big cooking fest this weekend) on Saturday to inspect 206 Mountain View Parade, Rosanna before it goes under the hammer at 12.00 noon. I completely disregarded this home as I struggled to see past the furniture in the photographs used for the advertising campaign. Luckily I went for a huge walk weekend and noticed the spunky front facade.
Those bricks would look fabulous stripped back to their natural cream colour or painted a warm tea colour, contrasting with a dark grey facia and garage door! 

And check out that side entry - original!! Fantastic ribbed glass - This house would look amazing with a new external colour scheme. It has great bricks and windows (and views!). 
Finally, one of last remaining original internal features seems to be the rectangular fireplace with the mesh curtain. Its tucked away in one of the photos - lets hope the new owners restore it and get it singing again!

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Welcome!

Welcome to the Banyule Modern BLOG celebrating building design from the 50's, 60's & 70's (in particular)! My name is Renae and I have lived in the Banyule area for the past 8 years. I am a designer and, as well as being passionate about living in this neck of the woods, I'm also passionate about mid-century modern design. This Blog is an attempt to bring my two great loves together. 

People around Melbourne and around the world are starting to recognize the 'Modern' principles that were being explored in post war design - passive solar design, larger windows, flexible living spaces and energy efficient materials. These homes and public buildings are warm, energizing and humble and can teach us so much about the way we could be designing for the 2011 and beyond. By raising the profile of the significant mid-century buildings within the Banyule area hopefully we can protect and preserve them for future generations!