The Doorway of an Inter-War Mediterranean Style Set of Flats - North Caulfield

            This two storey complex of flats in the Melbourne suburb of North Caulfield have been designed in Inter-War Mediterranean style.

Based on Georgian principles of domestic architecture, the Mediterranean style was introduced to Australia by Leslie Wilkinson, Professor of Architecture at the University of Sydney in 1918.  He perceived a similarity betyween the temperate coastal regions of Australia and the Mediterranean areas of Europe.  There are similarities to that of Spanish Mission architecture, but the stand out difference is that there is an elegant stripped back simplicity to Inter-War Mediterranean buildings and a classicism which is not found in Spanish Mission buildings which were more American influenced.  

This set of flats has an asymmetrical facade which is typical of the Inter-War Mediterranean architecture, as is the stuccoed wall treatment.  It also features simple versions of classical motifs which can be seen in the decoration around the rounded doorway leading to the upper flat and upstairs balcony, and the Ionic order on the columns over the portico to the ground floor flat.  To allow light and a breeze to blow through the stairwell of the flats, the building features carved stone grillework which is also typical of Inter-War Mediterranean architecture.  

This set of flats has its own garage off a side street with a space for a car for each flat, which suggests that the occupiers of these apartments were wealthy middle-class people.  The Inter-War Mediterranean architecture style was chosen generally by more affluent clientele, and designed by academically trained practitioners. 

After the Great War (1914 - 1918), higher costs of living and the "servant problem" made living in the grand mansions and villas built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras a far less practical and attractive option for both those looking for new housing, and those who lived in big houses.  It was around this time, in answer to these problems, that flats and apartments began to replace some larger houses, and became fashionable to live in. 

Flats like these would have suited those of comfortable means who could afford to live in North Caulfield, and dispense with the difficulties of keeping a large retinue of staff.  With clean lines and large windows, it mirrored the prevailing uncluttered lines of architecture that came out of England after the war. 

As in London, there was a huge expansion in Melbourne after the Great War in 1918, with ribbon development estates with names like "Oakhill" and "Golf Links" popping up seemingly overnight along rail lines and tram lines.  These quickly became suburbs where the newly created and newly moneyed middle classes chose to settle, away from the crowded inner city with its dark Victorian houses and slums.  These suburbs gained the mocking title of "Metroland".

Representing modernity the inspiration of these "Metroland" houses were derived from the Reformist and Arts and Crafts movement in England as well as the more modern lines of the Art Deco, Streamline Moderne and Inter-War Mediterranean architectural styles that were in vogue in the 1920s and 1930s.

Taken in: Australia / Victoria / Caulfield North (show map)

Taken on: January 21, 2020

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Balaclava Road

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Sets appears in: • Art Deco • Moderne Melbourne 1915 - 21st Century more » • An Inter-War Mediterranean Style Set of Flats • Melbourne Metroland « less

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Camera: Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS, f/4.9, 1/500 sec, 18.6mm, ISO 125 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS
Aperture:	f/4.9
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	18.6mm
ISO:	125
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
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