Modern Melbourne: Jimmy Watson's Wine bar

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Modern Melbourne Jimmy Watson’s Wine bar, 333 Lygon street, Carlton, 1962 Jimmy Watson’s Wine bar is a fine example of a building inspired by the modernist movement. What we see today is the structure that was redesigned in early 1960s by architect Robin Boyd, who ‘adapted modernism to suit the Australian way of life’1. Since modern architecture is defined primarily by the use of ‘new means of construction’2, the use of whitewashed bricks, as opposed to concrete, steel, and so forth is what deters the building from being modernist. However, it has prominent modernist features such as the flat roof, off white façade and geometric placement of doors and windows (see Fig. 1), which is similar to that in Weissenhof estate, Stuttgart, Germany3 (see Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Weissenhof estate, Stuttgart, Germany

Fig. 1 Elevation drawing of the wine bar

The use of materials and number of windows is limited and the doors and windows are shaded and recessed back into the building (see Fig.3) to provide sunshade and keep the interiors relatively darker, cooler and exclusive. This is consonant with Boyd’s idea of form following function and minimization4. The direct use of metal for the grapevine design (see Fig.3), is similar to the Beaux-Arts style ornamentation in Victor Horta’s Hotel in Brussels5 (see Fig. 4). Fig. 3 Ornamentation elements

Apart from the flower pots on the window sills, it is the only ornamentation on the building, which exhibits Wright’s idea of simplicity and minimal ornamentation6 and thus, is a prominent exhibition of modernist architecture. Fig. 4 Hotel Tassel, Brussels

Katelin Butler, “Who is Australia’s first true Modernist architect?” http://www.modernhouse.co/who-is-australiasfirsttrue-modernist-architect/ (March 17, 2019) 2 William J.R. Curtis, Modern Architecture since 1900 (London: Phaidon, 1996), 11. 3 Dr. Bronwyn Stocks, “German Expressionism and Functionalism 1907-1930,” (Lecture Notes, University of Melbourne, March 18, 2019) 4 Philip James Goad, “The modern house in Melbourne 1945-1975” (Ph.D., University of Melbourne, 1992), 6/90, https://minerva-access.unimelb.edu.au/handle/11343/39525 5 Dr. Stuart King, “Sources of the modern movement – Part I,” (Lecture Notes, University of Melbourne, March 4, 2019) 6 Frank Lloyd Wright, In the cause of architecture (London: Phaidon, 2005), 55. 1


Bibliography Butler, Katelin, “Who is Australia’s first true Modernist architect?” Modern House. Accessed March 17, 2019. http://www.modernhouse.co/who-is-australias-first-true-modernist-architect/ Curtis, William J.R. Modern Architecture since 1900. London: Phaidon, 1996 Goad, Philip James, “The modern house in Melbourne 1945-1975.” Ph.D., University of Melbourne, 1992. https://minerva-access.unimelb.edu.au/handle/11343/39525 King, Stuart. “Sources of the modern movement – Part I.” Lecture Notes, University of Melbourne, March 4, 2019. Stocks, Bronwyn. “German Expressionism and Functionalism 1907-1930.” Lecture Notes, University of Melbourne, March 18, 2019. Wright, Frank Lloyd. In the cause of architecture. London: Phaidon, 2005

Images Fig. 1. Elevation drawing of Jimmy Watson’s Wine bar (rough sketch – freehand figure not to scale) Source: Manasi Chopdekar (2019) Fig. 2. Le Corbusier, Houses at Weissenhofsiedlung, Stuttgart, Germany (image) Source: Bronwyn Stocks “German Expressionism and Functionalism 1907-1930.” Lecture Notes, University of Melbourne (2019) Fig. 3. Drawing of ornamentation elements on the building (rough sketch – freehand figure not to scale) Source: Manasi Chopdekar (2019) Fig. 4. Hotel Tassel, Brussels. Source: Stuart King “Sources of the modern movement – Part I.” Lecture Notes, University of Melbourne (2019)

Subject: Modern Architecture: MoMo to PoMo Assessment task: AT1b - Modern Melbourne Name: Manasi Chopdekar Student number 935401


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