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BRIGHTON MUNICIPAL OFFICES
Other NameBRIGHTON TOWN HALL Location15 BOXSHALL STREET BRIGHTON, BAYSIDE CITY
File Number607085LevelRegistered |
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Statement of Significance
The Brighton Municipal Offices in Boxshall Street were designed by
Kevin Knight of Oakley and Parkes with the engineers John Connell and
Associates and were erected by Prentice Builders Pty Ltd., the
foundation stone being laid on 13 February 1959. The interior
decoration and furniture was by Grant Featherston. The building was
opened on 21 July 1961. The Brighton Municipal Offices are of aesthetic, historic and
architectural importance to the State of Victoria. The circular foyer, Council Chamber, and two circular meeting rooms
designed by Grant Featherston including their extant furniture and
light fittings, are of aesthetic and historic importance as an intact
example of interior design in Victoria of the late 1950's, and as an
important work of Grant Featherston, a leading Australian industrial
designer of the 1950's and 60's. Grant Featherston earned for his profession a popular acceptance unique in
the history of the Industrial design movement in this country. The Brighton Municipal Offices are of architectural importance as an
expression of the influence in Australia of the work of
internationally renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The
building, with its prominent curved and tapering 'drum' form recalling
his design for the Guggenheim Museum of 1946-59 in Fifth Avenue, New
York, successfully combines the different curved and planar forms and
integrates the landscaping into the building fabric through use of
planter retaining walls. The building represents a successful
translation of the Organic International style into a suburban public
building in Victoria.
Group
Government and Administration
Category
Council Chambers