Architecture, Building and Planning - Theses

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    Trinity College: the first twenty years of building
    Bjorksten, Barry ( 1966)
    Trinity, as it stands today, betrays little evidence of achievement or the unique. The ‘old College’, a pleasant collection of buildings, retires quietly behind its elms and ivy. One of the buildings is perhaps the finest example of Tudor architecture in Melbourne, but another, designed by a man intimately conversant with Gothic and the architect of the first buildings at Sydney University, is most disappointing. The ‘Mid-Victorian’ Gothic Clarke building is hardly what one would have expected from Edmond Thomas Blacket. These buildings and their various styles are a testimony of the many architects involved, four of whom prepared plans for the entire college. No more than the first stage of each scheme was ever completed. Begun prematurely in order to secure a Crown Grant of the land, temporarily reserved from sale for the purpose of erecting a Church of England College, Trinity was the first of its kind in Melbourne. Had it not prospered, it is doubtful whether the other denominations would have followed so soon after in the building of their colleges. Some 16 years after the founding of Trinity and 6 years after Ormond, the Rev. W. H. Fitchett at the opening of Queen’s College said, "had they ( Trinity and Ormond ) failed, the Methodists' would not have dared to have begun this great enterprise." However, although Trinity prospered, it did so without the benefit of large gifts and endowments. Its debts, some incurred at the very beginning, were not cleared until 16 years later. Indeed, lack of financial support was its most constant foe. (Preface)
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    The architectural profession in Melbourne 1835 to 1860
    Lyall, Donald Sutherland ( 1965)
    As the traveller of 1835 rounded the last bend in the Yarra to glimpse the little settlement at Melbourne, his thoughts could hardly have turned to the cities of his homeland. Yet within twenty five years, its original thirteen buildings were to be obliterated in a building expansion unprecedented in Colonial history. Within this period, over one hundred architects came to Melbourne, some to stay, others to remain only briefly. The lure of gold enticed some, others, despairing of success in the overcrowded English profession, came as squatters, as architects, as speculators, some were tradesmen, engineers, surveyors. From this diverse assemblage came the designs for the more important buildings of the city. (From introduction)
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    A Carlton block - Barry, Grattan, Berkeley, Pelham Streets
    Conquest, Tony ( 1967)
    In writing this report I have come to realise the urgent need for a change in attitude to architectural history. Two examples on the block and one in South Melbourne should illustrate this -Town Planning Which allows a factory (Meteor Press, Barry Street) to punch through and destroy the residential environment of a street of century old buildings facing a park whose charm lies in its spreading elms.135 Barry street, Carlton (before alteration 1960 by Douglas C. Shannon A.R.A.I.A.) was probably the most attractive house on the block - its fate is a grim reminder of the community’s attitude.20 Rhoden Street, North Melbourne, a terrace of 3houses was visited in order to compare its carriageway arch with that of 131-135 Barry Street, Carlton. It was found that verandah roofs of the 3 houses had been demolished and under construction of the 10’ depth from boundary to front wall of the houses were a substation, store and office respectively.
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    Housing rehabilitation: 2 areas in Carlton, case study
    Billard, Ron ( 1973-11)
    A concept of measuring ‘significant events’ was used to rate the progress of rehabilitation activity. The rehabilitation of a house was said to be by a series of separate decisions by individual owners to gradually or in one or two major stages improve the condition of the house. Each decision which raises the standard of the house was called a ‘significant event’. Typical events measured were new kitchen, internal bathroom, rewiring the house etc. All data recorded from the various authorities was related to these significant events. When the houses were inspected a score was given for each of the significant events and the rehabilitation rating determined by the total score for that property. To test the reliability of the Rehabilitation Indicators used in this study the results have been expressed as two separate percentages. In the first, the number of successful indications by each of the Rehabilitation Indicators is expressed as a percentage of the total number of houses in each Rehabilitation Rating. In the second, I have expressed the total number of houses correctly indicated by that Rehabilitation Indicator as either of full, partial or in progress Rehabilitation Rating as a percentage of the total number of houses indicated by that same data source. The most reliable Rehabilitation Indicator would be one that scores the highest in both of these two percentage calculations. The result of the study is that no one Rehabilitation Indicator is a reliable indicator of rehabilitation activity. Preliminary examination of a grouping of two or more Indicators has shown similar results. However, the complexity of analysing results for different groupings of Indicators has prevented any firm conclusions to be reached at this stage. For the two areas selected in Carlton, an analysis of rehabilitation activity has produced a few tentative conclusions. Area B in Carlton because of the continuous threat of Housing Commission acquisition during the 1960’s has a smaller percentage of houses rehabilitated. Canning Street in Area A has shown a fairly high rehabilitation activity with 24.2% of houses given a full Rehabilitation Rating and 15.2% given a partial Rehabilitation Rating while Sutton/Earl Streets in the same area shows a high 21% of houses in the process of being rehabilitated. This result is particularly interesting because Sutton/Earl Streets contain mostly small houses on small lots which in 1937 the Housing Investigation and Slum Abolition Board had called ‘slum’ housing (See Section 3.02). There is no preference for particular property types. Larger houses were initially popular but at the time of the study a large number of smaller houses were in the process of being renovated. A trend which has not shown itself fully in the results is an increased number of ‘cosmetic’ renovations to tenanted houses. This usually involves painting the whole house out (white) with white or similar trendy exterior colour, fitting a H.W.S. and clearing up the backyard, perhaps demolishing a few sheds at the same time. These properties can then earn significantly higher rents to make the ‘cosmetic’ renovation very profitable to the owner. Other conclusions are shown in more detail in the Report.
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    St. Luke's Church of England, North Fitzroy and St. Mark's Church of England, Fitzroy
    McColl, Deborah C. ( 1967)
    To establish a physical history of St. Mark’s Church, its school, and its evangelist works. To establish a physical history of St. Luke’s Church and its school(s).To gain an overall background of the Churches and the people connected with them.
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    Land subdivision of Fitzroy
    Wark, Graham ( 1968)
    In this report I have attempted to establish the land subdivision and building settlement in the Fitzroy area (Victoria Parade end). [For complete introduction open document]
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    Balconies in North Fitzroy
    Davidson, John ( 1968)
    This essay attempts to examine North Fitzroy, by the use of selected examples, as an area containing common usage of the balcony. Most of the evidence was gained by observation of the buildings themselves, and to corroborate a number of photographs have been included.
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    The Methodist church in Carlton
    Cox, David G. ( 1966)
    In writing this essay, I have attempted to trace the building activity of the Methodist Church in Carlton.
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    A consideration of vegetation, landscaping and microclimatic conditions for building comfort
    Aitchison, Mareuil de Villebois ( 1963)
    SCOPE OF THESIS: - An attempt to analyse natural elements of hot arid landscape, and further assess ways and means by which these elements could be utilised in order to modify micro-climatic conditions within buildings. - A brief analysis of landforms on the effect of reflected radiation on structures, and a discussion on the effect of waterbodies in the environment of structures, is followed by a more exhaustive treatment of the subject of vegetation and its impact on physical comfort. - A detailed study of courtspaces in physical planning and housing layouts. - A practical design application of conclusions. INTRODUCTION: - The Twentieth Century has witnessed an unprecedented .advancement in the fields of science and technology, yet there is little evidence of their application to provide better living conditions for a large number of people who reside in predominantly hot and arid regions of the world. Because of lack of water supply, and what could be termed hostile climate, the arid areas present problems which are far too extreme in their scope and dimension. - Only after the second world war such world organisations as U.N.E.S.C.O., W.H.O. and F.A.0., began to pay some attention to the particularly complex problems of arid zones. - Next to food and clothing, shelter presents perhaps the most important challenge. Like many other underdeveloped regions there is a tremendous shortage of housing and other building types in arid areas. Available meagre finances point to the need for inexpensive solutions. In terms of structures it means provision of comfortable living conditions without resorting to either costly insulation or complicated construction techniques. Attention should be focussed on the possibi11ties of modification of natural climatic elements in order to achieve agreeable thermal comfort. - Some of the elements, particularly those of vegetation, landforms and waterbodies, and the ways in which they could be employed to alter the severity of arid environment, form the basis of this thesis.
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    The Vahland School
    Lawler, Geoffrey ( 1979)
    The City of Bendigo owes a great deal of its early heritage to the great number of German immigrants who came to the Sandhurst area during the gold rush years and settled there. More than any other Victorian centre, Bendigo benefited from this particular country and especially so in its architecture. It was this aspect that first aroused my interest in Bendigonian architecture and it led me to the most prominent architect in Bendigo between the years 1850-1900, Wilhelm Karl Vahland. Further investigation led me to find that there was a strong German group working with Vahland and the study could be expanded to include his partners Getzschmann and his son H.E. Vahland and a principal employee William Nicolai. These four German architects between them, accounted for the majority of significant buildings in Bendigo and the various partnerships with Vahland were, by far, the longest running practice in Bendigo. This is evidenced in the chart included. (From Introduction)