Unique Australian architecture? (2013, houses, live in)
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Just wondering what would be the type of architecture is most representative and uniquely Australian. If I had to choose one, It would be the terrace house:
Although they were considered as inferior housing and just stock to house the poor, they have stood the test of time and many are still around today (originally built in the 1800s)
What do you think is most representative of Australian architecture?
I love the terrace houses, but they would be bottom of my list in terms of unique Australian architecture. They were an English 'import' and as you said, designed to pile in workers close to where they were needed (docks, abattoirs, industrial areas etc).
Sydney in particular is a great example of imported architecture - from the terraces, to the English style grandeur of the North shore and Eastern Suburbs, to the Californian bungalows that populate so many suburbs. Even those horrible housing commission towers in Redfern and Maroubra etc (dunno if they are still there?) were a knock-off of the council flats in English cities.
For mine, the only 'unique' Aus architecture is the 'Queenslander', as it was purpose built for its environment.
High-set to allow cool breezes underneath, large windows and doors (most houses had doors lined up, like a spine to allow cool air to flow thru unhindered), large overhanging eaves and bullnoses to protect from direct sun, and of course... the wraparound verandahs..
If you've ever lived in one of these beautiful houses, you'll know what I mean
I love the terrace houses, but they would be bottom of my list in terms of unique Australian architecture. They were an English 'import' and as you said, designed to pile in workers close to where they were needed (docks, abattoirs, industrial areas etc).
Sydney in particular is a great example of imported architecture - from the terraces, to the English style grandeur of the North shore and Eastern Suburbs, to the Californian bungalows that populate so many suburbs. Even those horrible housing commission towers in Redfern and Maroubra etc (dunno if they are still there?) were a knock-off of the council flats in English cities.
For mine, the only 'unique' Aus architecture is the 'Queenslander', as it was purpose built for its environment.
If you've ever lived in one of these beautiful houses, you'll know what I mean
Hi
I lived in a Queenslander, and they are beautiful. Very few left that haven't been raised and built underneath or had the verandah enclosed.
I once showed pics of Sydney terraces to English people, thinking they would relate to them or feel familiar with their design. Quite the opposite in fact, they were very surprised and saw them as very unusual designs, not English at all. That's when I figured that they were a very Australian design.
I agree about the importing of architecture generally though.
The problem with these older designs (terraces/Queenslanders) is that they are generally boiling in summer and freezing in winter
I love the terrace houses, but they would be bottom of my list in terms of unique Australian architecture. They were an English 'import' and as you said, designed to pile in workers close to where they were needed (docks, abattoirs, industrial areas etc).
I agree. Terrace housing exists through most of Europe and even some of the older US cities.
I live in a terrace, actually some of those pics tropical posted up are very close to where I live. Most terraces are gentrified these days, which some of those pics don't really capture.
Actually I should have been more specific. Being only 200-something years old, there isn't going to be much architecture (if any) that is purely 'Australian'. Even the Queenslander was an adaptation of houses that colonists saw in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. I guess it would be more accurate to say that the Australian adaptations of Terraces and Queenslanders result in very unique and local styles.
As for the pics, the first one is in George St, Redfern and the second (Im guessing) is Harris St, Ultimo/Pyrmont.
Australia's unique architecture isn't really in our houses, but our public buildings. From our colonial town halls, to more modern stuff - like the Sydney opera house.
Australia's unique architecture isn't really in our houses, but our public buildings. From our colonial town halls, to more modern stuff - like the Sydney opera house.
Actually a uniquely Australian architectural style is Federation Architecture. It existed around the turn of the century and whilst based on English and American is a style unique to Australia.
Sydney Opera house is the most unique Australian architecture.
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