North Shore Architecture ?

Where   : Waitara, New South Wales
When    : 9-50am, 24th January, 2008
Weapon : Panasonic Lumix TZ3

• Is it Art Deco ? No, well influenced yes, there is some fluting, but no. 
• Is it Post Modern ? Is it Californian Bungalow ? No.Is it MacMansions ?



• No. Is it Beachcomber ? Is it Sydney Brutalist ? No.



• Is it Hollywood Spanish ? Nah - no arches, no whitewash and far too much glass.



• Is it Stockbroker Tudor ? Nope - no black and white timber or substitute.



• Is it Sydney P & O ? Mmmm ... well, partly - it's curved and may have a funnel shaped chimney and steel-framed windows - but no portholes, geometric motifs, parapet walls, cantilevered decks or glass bricks.

So, it's just a mess then ? Yes. So, er ...... ? 

It used to be I think a Brodie Lighthouse being one of a chain of similarly branded retail lighting emporiums, characterised by these rounded, glassy showrooms.

Here we are then with style being created by the product being commercialised, nothing to do with art, sentiment, environment, functionality, climate or materials.  Who knows what's on the upper floors ? Massage parlour, pilates gym, tae-kwon-do school, an office ?

Set the fuse !

QVB

Where   : Queen Victoria Building
             : George Street, Sydney
Weapon : Panasonic Lumix TZ3

The Queen Victoria Building, known as the QVB, was designed by George McRae and completed in 1898.

Here we can see its 4 floors of upmarket boutiques housed within an elaborate Romanesque architecture, originally contrived so that its construction would require the employment of as many out-of-work craftsmen as possible ? stonemasons, plasterers, and stained window artists - in a worthwhile project.

Over many decades, change saw the original concert hall become the city library, offices proliferate and more tenants move in, including piano tuners, palmists and clairvoyants. Drastic remodelling occurred during the austere 1930s - eventually the main occupant became the Sydney City Council.

The QVB was restored to its previous decadent glory in the 1990s.

It stands now as witness to a vision for the building and the superb craftsmanship of the artisans who put it all back together again some 15 years ago.  Its centre inner glass dome and exterior copper-sheathed dome, stained glass windows, 19th century staircases, restored arches, pillars, balustrades and mosaic floors maintain the previous integrity of the building.

So today, it is the most wonderful shopping environment - but you will need a gold-plated credit card !