Raymond Jones-Nedlands

This is a Raymond Jones house on Thomas St NEdlands, and it is currently for sale! So I promptly went down and had a look. It is a very nice little place. It is a little tired, but a great modern house and would have been quite stunning on completion. I believe it was 1964-6. Particular high lights are the cathedral ceilings, the joinery and partioning work in the living/kitchen/dining area. The whole room is one gian space with about 7′ high wooden screens that break down the individual areas, yet still allow light and a sense of openness that would be otherwise lost. The outdoor barbecue/entertaing area is also great. Just a very nice place, ad will be a shame if it goes, which the ad seems to suggest.

RAYMOND JONES’ HOUSE

This is Raymond Jones’ house in Fremantle.  I dont have much to say about it, becuase it blows my mind so much I plan on investigating it much further. I have not felt this strongly about a piece of architecture on first sight in a very long time. . To have this, sitting in the middle of the suburbs, quietly existing  astounds me. It reminds me of the house in Mon Oncle. It is so modern. In every sense of the word. Shapes, materials, execution, everything. The cladding is so shiny, and harsh, the windows are so severe and interesting. The way it reacts to the street, and to itself is so good. Anywyas, I dont want to rattle on to much, just enjoy the pictures.

Fremantle Squash Courts

This is the former squash courts in fremantle by the exceptionally talented Raymond Jones. I lost the origial article that discusses this in the architect, and would love to dig it out, so unforch my information is pretty scant. I would imagine late 60s. Its really good expressionist modernism, particularly reminds me of the McIntyre house in Kew, melbs. Great little squashed building, almost apppears to be wedged in between the 2. Great little building, i would have loved to see it remain as squash courts, but at least its been preserved! must be the luckiest accountants in perth. Imagine working in squash courts! i really want to go inside. Also of note, the accountants are Jones. Architect was Jones. Relation???

St Cecilias Church

This church in Floreat park is astounding. A blinding example of expressionistic modernism developing in the country at the time. Undulating, and folding roof, and wall sections that fold, open and close and wobble around the perimeter of the structure. Yellow glass gives it a most magnificent glow on the interior, and the skylight slashed above the alter section provides the allusion to god and the heavens above as all good churches do. THis example is striking though, and extremely effective. It also uses an ingenious structural system behind the alter bit, with a ‘false’ wall with yards of glass behind it to add the most brilliant lighting for the stained glass, like it’s exploding forth from behind. Bad explanation, but you get the idea. One of my favourite bits is the very Niemeyer, brazilian moderne sculpture out the front. Really brilliant. And compliments the strucutre perfectly. oh! Raymond Jones 1958.

Fremantle fisheries office

no information, but this really grabbed my attention when i drove past. it kind of reminds me of 60s dry Forbes and Fitz work, but i can not be sure who this is. Its just really bizarre. a mix of piers, windows cut in at odd angles, strange signange column rising up, with sorbelling on it, and a concrete block configuration thrown in for good measure. Doesnt really work, but is still cool. and just slightly uncomforting, which i like.