Monday 29 April 2013

Tell-tale mannerisms


Painters sign their name in a corner of their canvas. Even Banksy signs his name on a brick on the laneway wall. The same goes with architects, I guess. Their stylistic quirks become a signature of sorts. Frank Lloyd Wright's work is recognisable, as is Gaudi's, as is Harry Seidler's. I am starting to realise the same can be said about Walter Burley Griffin.


How does one personalise an incinerator? WBG did it with his choice of building material, for starters. He loved the solid granite and less-solid sandstone of the Australian bush that is everywhere on the Castlecrag peninsula. However, there are two other signatures to this building. See the art-deco like design scattered around the building, the angular design. I can find that in his domestic work. See the narrow slits-for windows. That, too, is in his domestic work. Show you next post.

There is another shot of the incinerator that I did not realise I needed. Did not realise was THERE. I have to go back and get it. Will take me a coupla daze.


7 comments:

diane b said...

Sounds like you are doing a lot of research in your new area. Thanks for educating me about WBG.

Julie said...

I cannot just wander for the sake of it. I need a purpose, and history is my sort of thing. I do not think that the architecture of WBG is up there with the giants of the profession, but he had a style and a reason for it. Would that we could all say the same about our life's work.

jabblog said...

Even the most mundane of structures deserves to be designed in as attractive a way as possible

Joan Elizabeth said...

Those pointy bits on the chimney are rather like the gates you gave shown in earlier posts.

Julie said...

Ahhh ... did not think of that, Joan. Yes, yes ... I can see that now. I wonder what that design is based upon

Julie said...

Jabblog - yes, I would tend to agree that the more good design trickles down the better. just does not happen often enough.

Jim said...

Great lines.