Architecture, Building and Planning - Theses

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Residential flats in Melbourne: the development of a building type to 1950

Sawyer, Terry ( 1982)

This work seeks to trace the development of residential flats designed in Melbourne before 1950. Particular emphasis is placed upon the earliest purpose built blocks which were built in about 1905. Two distinct types of flats evolved. The multi-story city type and the low rise suburban blocks which were built in response to an increasing demand for flats and as a result of the improvement of public transport. The quality of flat development varied with the location and class of the suburb and consequently the best blocks were generally built in the prestigious areas of Toorak and South Yarra. Flats not only varied markedly in quality but also in planning and this report makes a specific study of elements in flat design which differentiate them from any other building type. No overall view of architectural styles within flat design is made except when the adoption of a particular architectural philosophy affects the planning. The study reveals the remarkable variety in flat design and significant number of important individual buildings in what has generally been a neglected building type.