Page 383 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

INTRODUCING VIC T ORIA  381

Modernism and Post-modernism
The latter half of the 20th century has seen a range
of post-modern buildings erected in Melbourne. The
National Gallery of Victoria (see p407) was designed by (see p407) was designed by (see p407
Sir Roy Grounds and completed in 1968 (further modified
in 2003 by Mario Bellini). It was the first time bluestone,
widely used in the 19th century, was used in a modern
structure. The magnificent stained-glass ceiling of the Melbourne’s unique bluestone used in the walls of
Great Hall was designed by Leonard French. the National Gallery of Victoria
Flat roof

Blue-stone Arched
façade entrance

The National Gallery of Victoria has a monumental façade, impressive for its smooth
simplicity and lack of ornamental details.

Contemporary
Multicoloured façade Steel railings Lighting
Melbourne is known for
its vibrant, experimental
architecture scene. Some of
the most radical Australian
buildings of the 1990s can
be found here. The Royal
Melbourne Institute of
Technology’s Building 8 was
designed by Peter Corrigan
and completed in 1993. The
building’s interior and façade
is both gaudy and Gaudían,
with its bold use of primary
colours. It is surrounded by a
series of other equally avant-
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s Building 8 façade garde buildings belonging
is a complex blend of bright colours and diverse shapes. to the university.

Sports Architecture
Melbourne’s modern Where to Find
architecture clearly reflects the Buildings
the importance of sport to La Trobe’s Cottage p403.
its citizens. Rod Laver Arena National Gallery of Victoria
at Melbourne Park, opened p407.
in 1988, has a retractable Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park
roof, a world first, and seats Aerial view of Melbourne Park, with Rod Map 2 E4.
more than 15,000 people. Laver Arena on the left Royal Melbourne Institute of
Technology’s Building 8, Swanston
Retractable roof Glass exterior St Map 1 C2.
Shrine of Remembrance p402.
State Parliament House p397.
Tasma Terrace, Parliament Place
Map 2 E2.

Rod Laver Arena was designed by Philip Cox and Peddle Thorp and
now hosts the annual Australian Open tennis championships.