Graham Harler apartments

This a group of resort style apartments in Como/South Perth designed in the early 80s by Graham Harler. Harler was instrumental in bringing Buckminster Fuller over to Perth for the ’66 conference, and built several geodesic domes including the ones still remaining at Curtin University and Beverley. He was also  involved in significant volume housing, of which these are a great example. Pastel bagged brickwork, barrel vaults, projecting stairwells, stepped glass brick window details – Great stuff!

                                                                 

 

Blane Brackenridge

Hello all, just got back from my Christmas break in Perth so thought I would put up some of the projects I saw. This first lot is a group post of Blane Brackenridge’s work. There are a lot of big houses going up in Perth  and I don’t think anyone does them better right now. Quite often big single residences  seem bloated and flabby but these houses handle the scale well and the proportions work. Which is quite a feat because these houses are enormous. The 6 projects below have gone up over the last 3 years or so, and I left out another 3 or 4 that I know of. The bulk of his work seems to be between Dalkeith and Fremantle (surprising!) and it is so refreshing and frankly exciting to see one of these going up, they really are quite special. They are an unusually cohesive body of works, very easy to spot and attribute (at least I hope I got all of these right!). The use of bright white render, dark glazing, thick, angular profiles with Seidleresque curves, the regular inclusion of  spiral staircases, the circular pizza oven elements. They are exquisitely detailed and composed, with each project bringing something new to the table. Give the one in Coogee a google, well worth it, and if you see any more, let me know!

Cottesloe Cottesloe Fremantle DalkeithDalkeith Dalkeith

TWR 5

The new issue of The Weather Ring is now available to purchase online at http://theweatherring.com.au/

The magazine is now stocked at OK Gallery in Perth and World Food Books in Melbourne, more to follow.

The Weather Ring 5

This Friday the new issue of The Weather Ring is being launched at OK Gallery in Northbridge.

The issue features interviews with Marcus Collins, Louise St John Kennedy, Robin Kornweibel and the Museum of Natural Mystery.

Jiwkoff House, Iwan Iwanoff

This is the Jiwkoff House, designed by Iwan Iwanoff in 1971. Not exactly a fantastic stand alone project, but interesting in the scheme of things. The roof is the main attraction here, with a really deep front fascia that projects out and creates a floating illusion, supported by thin posts set apart from the main volume. Over time it has gone extremely wonky so it looks rather odd!  The roof  hovers over a square plan, with a solid rock wall front and centre offset with a  nice entry/carport cut out. Very similiar to the house in Meenaar Crescent. Nice little job.

Salter Point House

This is a house by James Aris in Salter Point, 1978. Top notch bit of local modernism. The deep fascia wraps around the house and carport, really floats above the house. The carport thurst forward to the street, sliding past the bulk of the house, supported  by a single slender post is great. Leaning towards a more American/LA modernism. Excellent work, and good to see it is being looked after.

Owen and Vokes

This is a house in Mt Pleasant by Brisbane firm Owen + Vokes, finished in 2009. They came over last year to present at Affirmative Architecture, and are currently working on a second project here. This is a great little house, very typical of O+V work. Crisp forms, strong chimney, simple sunshades, polychromatic face brickwork with the plan slightly pulled apart framing a courtyard. Exceptionally neat little project, really opens up towards the back, but you can’t see in the photos.

Australian Institute of Management

This is the AIM building, designed in 1987 by Howlett and Bailey. Another great example of mid 80s white worship. Here, a simple cubic form with the barrel vault charging across the building, and punching through the main entry facade creating a strong entry canopy statement. Continues themes developed in the Ceramics tile showroom the year before. Central barrel vault, white compressed sheeting panelled exterior and bold volumetric compostition. Interesting to note that Forbes and Fitz were doing similar work at the same time, just before the two merged and turned into COX. Cox have just completed an extension to this, which is nice to see. Love the sunhoods!

Brian Klopper Architectural Projects Exhibition

Continuing the UWA Architectural Projects series is a new exhibition  documenting the work of Fremantle based architect Brian Klopper from 1971-. Opening March 20th at the Cullity Gallery UWA, it runs until April 13th. An accompanying catalogue will be available, with an essay by Jennie Officer. Essential.

St Lawrence and Mary Immaculate Church

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This is the St Lawrence and Mary Immaculate Church in Balcatta, designed by, I believe, James Aris in the late 60s. But can’t say for sure. Very strong suburban church, square plan with a great hyperbolic parabolid roof form. The deep fascia hovers above the ribbed brickwork and glazed walls, and the giant miesian negative corner details are a treat!