Post-War Period c. 1940 .E2.80.93 1960 Australian residential architectural styles

1 post-war period c. 1940 – 1960

1.1 austere
1.2 waterfall (art deco) 1940 – 1950
1.3 international style
1.4 l-shape 1945 – 1955
1.5 dutch colonial
1.6 triple front (cream brick) 1950 – 1960s

post-war period c. 1940 – 1960
austere


south australian housing trust late 1940s semi-detached cottages, showing little exterior modification of original design

the austere style reflected lack of availability of building materials , labour in years following world war ii.

waterfall (art deco) 1940 – 1950

fashionable modern houses of thirties in streamline moderne style described being ocean liners, walls, windows , balconies sweeping around corners. 1940s these details entrenched suburban designs. waterfall or waterfall front style came known such use of descending curves in chimneys, fence pillars , other vertical elements. robin boyd, australian architect , writer, noted 3 key decorative smartness ; 3 steps being used waterfall effect , featured parallel lines in threes.

defining features of houses period curved corner windows, including venetian blinds, rare examples of curved. steeper pitched roof modern style, style of brick veneer cream brick have dark brown glazed feature brickwork incorporated external walls, , under windowsills. chimneys either stepped or plain, , round windows perhaps gave meaning waterfall name.

ecclesiastical, international, melbourne regional, brisbane regional , american colonial styles existed in period 1940–1960.

international style

the rose seidler house built harry seidler parents between 1948 , 1950 in sydney incorporated modernist features of open planning, minimal colour scheme, , labour saving devices new australia @ time. house won sir john sulman medal in 1951 , today preserved museum influential house.[1]

after second world war, architects in australia influenced development of international style of architecture. regional variations developed. in melbourne, robin boyd , roy grounds articulated melbourne interpretation of modern style. boyd s book victorian modern (1947) traced history of architecture in state of victoria , described style of architecture hoped response local surroundings popular international style. in particular nominated work of roy grounds , in outer suburban bush houses of 1930s being stages of such style. grounds , boyd later worked in partnership.

the houses typically narrow, linear, , single storey low pitched gable roof. had exposed rafters , wide eaves. walls bagged or painted brick , windows large areas of glass regularly spaced timber mullions.

l-shape 1945 – 1955

this style represented change in overall floor plan, plan resembling large l shape. gabled ends l, terra cotta tiles still being used, concrete tiles didn’t appear until late 1960s. timber or steel framed windows used, , front-facing fences resembled house, same had been seen since modern period.

dutch colonial














triple front (cream brick) 1950 – 1960s

triple front (with 4 fronts), heidelberg, victoria.

distinctly recognisable front-facing walls have 3 , 4 front-facing falls. led front entrance brought round side within 1 of alcoves created multiple fronts. roofs medium pitched , hipped concrete tiles being used towards end of style in late 60s. front fences had castellated top , feature piers raised above top of rest of brick fence. decorative iron used minimally, in gates driveways, , balustrades entrances.