Council House, Perth Western Australia.
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Council House was designed by architects Howlett and Bailey who won a national competition (Harry Seidler was one of the judges) conducted by The Perth City Council in 1960. It was opened by the Queen in 1963.
(perhaps this is why she is waiting for a bus in the McIntosh painting?)
It was nearly demolished (I know!) in 1990 when the State Government refused to heritage list it and recommended its demolition!
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(check the fountains. beautiful.)
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(ditto the windows, with their t-shaped sun shades)
And I love this painting
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by John McIntosh, a finalist in the Black Swan Prize (heritage section) this year. It would be my pick if I were a judge.
The exhibition of finalists (in conjunction with The Black Swan Prize for Portraiture) runs from Fri 21 September until Monday 1 October. It's free. Click the link for details.
p.s. I'm not the only one fond of Council House, the angels like it too...
p.p.s. I know about this because I read about it (by the light of my mobile) in The West Australian (at 6 this morning!) while I was sitting in the car, waiting for Annabel's figure skating training to finish. It is warmer (and more comfy) in the car, without the heater running, than it is in the rink. So there I sit, in the dark, hoping I'm not going to be attacked by wierdos. That's a story for another day...
What a beautiful building. Thank the angels it wasn't demolished! What's wrong with people? Why can't they all be sensible and like what we like!? There's talk that the old concrete library and Qld Art Gallery get demolishe. I think they were designed and constucted mid-80s, and they're very groovy. It's a wasteful society now ... everything has to be new.
ReplyDeleteI do like that painting. Love the Queen at the bus stop. So cute.
If everyone liked what we liked, they would have good taste! Win win, if you ask me! This building is nice and fancy, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe things one does for their children! :)
ReplyDeleteThe painting is wonderful - love it. And the building....well not so long ago I'd have loathed it on sight and yelled out "Demolish, demolish!! - but I have a slow-growing appreciation for that type of architecture so am starting to see the beauty therein.
I'm a bit like Wendz - I used to loath buildings like this too but now the nostalgia factor is setting in and I am also starting to appreciate them. If they are well maintained they can look fabulous. I just love the painting - it is absolutely brilliant!
ReplyDeleteIt slightly reminds me of the '50p' building near me in Croydon which was built in 1970. Thing is, your council House looks like it's in a beautiful manicured setting in that lovely Australian light, whereas our local oddity is surrounded by urban grey and tram tracks.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No.1_Croydon
What do you think?
I like the painting, by the way.
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I love those T-shaped window awnings, and the Queen waiting for a bus is priceless.
ReplyDeleteis that the english queeen, in that painting? ;)))
ReplyDeletethe building is fantastic. great you love these buildings too, so we get an occasional peek at them, via you.
keep up the interesting info!
beware of any weirdo loitering.
n♥
Is your header pic different? It looks like it's from a slightly different angle than the last or are my eyes playing tricks on me? :)
ReplyDeleteDo you know I have never seen this building..I have only ever been into the city a few times to go to the fertility clinic...so bad I know, I need to get out and explore more.
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