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Freemasons Hospital

Location 166 Clarendon Street,, EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002 - Property No B7108 File Number B7108 Level State

[1/1] B7108 Freemasons Hospital

Statement of Significance

The Freemason's Hospital designed by Stephenson and Turner, and built 1936/7, extended 1956, is of State level significance for historical and architectural / aesthetic reasons.
Historically this is considered a seminal modernist building in Victoria, hailed as one of the first and best expressions of 'functionalism' in architecture. Its long horizontal balconies, and lack of adornment were radical for the time.
Architecturally, the expression is notably severe, with long horizontal balconies dominating the design, the extension of the 1950s exaggerating this effect. This horizontality is contrasted by the vertical services tower, expressed only above the roof, and incorporates relief carving, which is the only decoration.
The Freemason's is one of a series of important modernist hospitals designed by the firm of Stephenson & Meldrum (Stephenson & Turner after 1937) who dominated hospital design in Australia for the next 20 years. Designs such as the Mercy, East Melbourne, 1934-35 and the King George Memorial in Sydney, culminating in the Royal Melbourne Hospital buildings in Parkville, 1936-41 introduced 'functionalist' architecture on a huge scale to this country. The firm are also credited with introducing the modern architectural practice, with efficiency and modern innovation in the office as well as in their architecture, and was the largest in the country for many years.
Classified: 05/03/2001