Victorian Painting

Heritage paint colour controls in Victoria, and to a large extent in Australia, are based mainly upon a document prepared 45 years ago by Miles Lewis and his then research assistant Alison Blake (now Bishop Alison Taylor).  Today those controls are substantially unchanged, except for the cumulative inaccuracies which have crept in over time.  But much more research has been undertaken by Lewis and others. In this presentation Lewis will discuss both aspects – the fundamental principles underlying the original controls, and the further information now available, covering stucco and cement finishes, unpainted surfaces, paint types, natural colours, ready-mixed paints, conventions for external colours on buildings, signwriting, conservation colour controls, the paint colours bulletin, the Munsell colour system, paint layers and microscope analysis, sanded finishes and other topics. Professor Miles Lewis, FAHA, AM, is an architectural and building historian known for a range of publications, such as Architectura, published internationally in five languages, and for his work on vernacular architecture.  He is an honorary life member of the Comité International d’Architecture Vernaculaire.  The building materials which he collected during his academic life at Melbourne University have now been digitised to produce interactive three-dimensional simulacra, on a web site which will …

Gasworks restoration

AFL fanatics John and Rosie have bought an iconic 19th century gasworks building overlooking the North Melbourne Football Club and oval, and they want to turn into their dream home. Click the image below to watch the video.

what house is that? A guide to Victoria’s housing styles.

Reproduced with the permission of Heritage Victoria and Architect, Illustrator and Historical Advisor, David Harvey. Our built heritage is an important part of our daily lives, particularly our homes. This booklet aids to help those who wish to understand and preserve some part of Australia’s architectural heritage. Click on the image below to open the booklet.

Phyllis Murphy, Wallpapers in the Victorian era

Phyllis Murphy practiced as an architect in Melbourne from 1949 until her retirement in the early 1980s. She and her husband John had a successful architectural practice and worked on many major projects together. Phyllis was also known for her work with wallpaper design and restoration. Phyllis, who has retired, has been collecting wallpapers for the past thirty years and is one of Australia’s foremost authorities on the topic. The Murphys completed a number of conservation projects through the National Trust (Victoria) in the 1960s and 1970s. Click on the image below to watch the video.

Milton Terrace restoration

Milton Terrace in Sydney’s Milsons Point has an extensive history. With a big budget and a big vision, its owners were ready to create a new future for the building. #RestorationAustralia Viewers of the ABC’s Restoration Australia will know that heritage homes, regardless of what ever condition they may be in, can be revitalised and brought back into productive life.Such restoration not only benefits the homes residents, it also maintains the architectural continuity of the surrounding heritage streetscape. Stuart Harrison, architect and historian, follows homeowners across the country as they restore Australia’s greatest buildings. Click on the image to watch the renovation video.

Exterior Paint Colours. A guide to Exterior Colours for Buildings of the Victorian Period

Reproduced with the permission the compiler, Miles Lewis AM is an Australian academic serving as a Professor in the Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning, at the University of Melbourne, Australia and Alison Blake. A building may be painted on the outside many times during its life and we all know what a difference each colour change can make to the way in which we regard that building. This book aids to help those who wish to preserve some part of Australia’s architectural heritage.

Victorian Stucco

Reproduced with permission of the editor Miles Lewis, AM is an Australian academic serving as a Professor in the Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning, at the University of Melbourne, Australia. This publication derives from a seminar on Victorian Stucco held at the South Melbourne town hall in 2007. It has now been compiled and updated by the speakers of the seminar to provide a more comprehensive and useful reference. The resulting papers provide important insights into Victorian Stucco : this publication should provide a highly useful and practical reference for anyone interested in the topic. This book aids to help those who wish to preserve some part of Australia’s architectural heritage.