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Flinders Street Station

FLINDERS STREET STATION

 Flinders street station is a large and beautiful building in the midst Melbourne’s busy city. It feels like the centre of Melbourne CBD with the constant chaos created by thousands of people, trams, bikes and even horses. When I stopped for a moment observing the stunning train station all I could hear was the sound of traffic and people talking around me with not a moment of silence. Flinders street station is rich in history. In 1900’s there was a competition to transform an old train station into this spectacular building which now sits next to federation square, with construction starting in 1905. This building is heavily inspired by the Edwardian Era, the Neo-Baroque architectural style of many public buildings in the British Empire. With a city full of incredible sky scrapers, Flinders Street Station will stand out.

 One of the Key design elements present in the prominent building include shape. The shape of this building is what truly helps to reflect the Edwardian era, through the dome shape at the highest point of the building surrounded by archways and symmetrical properties which form this vibrant building. Another key element includes the colour palette, one of the many reasons this building is so memorable and unique. All in which is inspired by the Edwardian era by using very few colours such as yellow and brown tones which cover the whole exterior of the building. Whilst the exterior is very bright, the interior is based on more basic colours such as black and white surrounded by cafes and food stores. This instead demonstrating the raw purpose and of this area, used for transportation. However, the interior still reflects the Edwardian Era in a slight sense, through the large space and tall ceilings with glass elements with occasional splashes of a yellow colour.

 However, the key motif present in the exterior includes the pattern and archways. The archways continue through the building right to the many platforms people gather on whilst waiting for trains. The archways are something which stood out most to me and truly made me feel like I was in a different country when stepping inside this building, evoking strong feelings from the British Era. They make it different when comparing to modern buildings with straight walls and ceilings, instead reflecting the 21st century and modernism. The pattern on the exterior is very memorable with the repetition of large curved windows and the use of clocks make it feel exciting and memorable.

 Since the purpose of this building is for transportation, meaning heavy foot traffic there was very little furniture apart from the few seats placed on the platforms for people waiting for the train. However, on of the main furnishings include the many clocks which are placed on both the interior and exterior of the building so people can desperately rush around trying the find the right platform and be there on time! The main materials which Flinders Street station is built out of include the glass seen on the arched windows and dome shaped ceiling, tactile tiles on the platforms, red brick, cement render details, lightweight timber frame clad, zinc sheets and paint which were all used for the main building. The building was inspired by the Edwardian Era (between 1901-1910) and Flinders Street Station was finally complete in 1910.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Edwardian Era, Wikipedia, Accessed April 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwardian_era

 Flinders Street Railway Station, Wikipedia, Accessed April 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flinders_Street_railway_station

 Flinders Street Station, Melbourne Curious, September 30th 2010, Accessed April 2018, http://melbournecurious.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/flinders-street-station.html

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The Block Arcade

 The block arcade is a historical building that sits on Collins street in Melbourne’s CBD, first opened in 1892. A key element which helps to distinguish the Victorian era which is largely vivid in this building is colour. Whilst the Victorian era is known for it extravagant interior designs much more complicated then today modern minimalist interior, the colours used in the Victorian era are subtler tones with nothing bright or vibrant. This building demonstrates this through soft and delicate tones such as pale yellows and browns, which reflects the the movement make the building a representation of high status and wealth.Another element evident in The Block Arcade, which is now a shopping centre is the shape of the building. When walking inside the building your eyes are automatically drawn to its high, round, triangular and glass ceilings which brings a natural source of light.

Whilst the outside of The block arcade is more simplistic, stepping inside is mesmerising, almost like stepping into a different century with many motifs which represent the Victorian era. Such as the floors covered with mosaic tiles repeated to form a unique and detailed pattern as you walk through the shopping centre. Another important feature of the Block arcade is the glass ceiling, in a triangular shape with round metal details which hold it together. Having such high ceilings makes the shopping centre evoke feelings of high superiority, due to its grand structure. 

The colour pallet in this building is extremely important as it clearly distinguished the era this building belongs to, the Victorian era. A trace of pale yellow flows nicely through the building complimented by dark browns, off-white, red and pale pinks to truly represent class and elegance, avoiding bright colours such as oranges and bright pinks. This building is now used as a shopping centre therefore there isn’t any furniture. However, the finishing’s of this building include the large, bulky and detailed boarders surrounding the shops and ceilings in the building, combined with the the precise and fine details of the mosaic floors and metal frames. 

The materials in this building include the mosaic tiles on the floor, glass canopy, wrought iron and carved stone finishes. With these materials combined it helped to create the spectacular and detailed interior which represents and holds the Victorian era rich in history, still in the twentieth century. The dates in which this era was established was from 1837-1901, and this building was first built in 1892 and continues to be of use and very popular in the busy and historic city of Melbourne.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Victorian Interior design, Impressive interior design, Accessed 21st of March 2018, http://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/victorian-interior-design-characteristics-history/

 Block arcade Melbourne,  accessed Wikipedia, 21st of March 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_Arcade,_Melbourne

 Architecture, the block, accessed 21st of March 2018, http://theblock.com.au/architecture/#fb0=25

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The Forum

The Forum The Forum is a Historic building in Melbourne which first opened in 1929, which has recently undertaken a large renovation with the help of Melbourne-based architects Trethowan Architecture, and interior designers Jackson Interiors. Key design elements present in this mesmerizing building begins with the shape and texture of the exterior. The building stands tall and erect with sharp and detailed finishing’s at the top of the building making it seem more superior evoking emotions of class and elegance. There are fine details that flow right through from the bottom to the top of the building creating texture with the use of the repetition of diamonds and circular spirals combined with three dimensional aqua statues of lions and fictional creatures which demonstrate power and control. 

Whilst the interior of the building is grand and spacious. The key elements of the interior are colour and space. The inside is lit up with ocean blue and yellow almost gold lights which reflects flexes of purple throughout the building around the stage, ceiling and floor. The space inside surrounding the stage is magnificent with high ceilings surrounded with the fine extravagant detailing of the frame above and on the sides of the stage. All these elements help to reflect the neo-gothic era which is largely evident in this building, as seen through the pointed arches, vertical emphasis, variety of materials and the rich colour and decoration. 

The variety of materials especially present in the interior as seen on the floor with 20,000 mosaic tiles and marble stairs. Whereas the vertical emphasis and pointed arches are more evident on the facade of this magnificent Melbourne building. As previously discussed the colour pallet is crucial in the interior of The Forum, with many different vibrant colours seen on the inside, including on the floor, seats, stairs, bar and most importantly the ceiling. The ceiling of The 

Forum is the most special aspect to creating the unique and magical effect of The Forum. The cerulean blue ceiling helps to inspire the audience imagination, to visualise the Mediterranean sky complete with twinkling stars. Whilst The Forum is very big the furniture on the inside is very minimal. This helps to capture the essence and the purpose of The Forum, as a theatre. There are minimal chairs and tall tables to ensure that the inside is kept spacious which is one of its key elements. The materials involved in this building include the copper-domed clock tower, cement walls, ornate windows, slender columns, balustrading, paint and twinkling lights. The historical era was largely popular during the 18 th and 19 th century, similar to the time when this building was built at the beginning of the 18 th century officially opening in 1929.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 The Forum, Forum melbounre, Accessed Marchl 2018, https://forummelbourne.com.au

 Forum Theatre, Wikipeidia, Accessed March 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forum_Theatre

 Neo Gothic Style, Marc Maison, Accessed March 2018, http://www.marcmaison.com/architectural-antiques-resources/neo_gothic_style