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State Offices-Group Classification

Location 1 Macarthur Street,, EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002 - Property No B7022 File Number B7022 Level State

[1/2] B7022 State Offices [2/2] B7022 State Offices

Statement of Significance

The State Public Offices, completed in stages in 1966 and 1969, and designed by Barry Patten of Yuncken Freeman Architects, are architecturally, technically and historically important at the State level.
Historically, the scheme was unusual in its sensitivity to the historic context, and was chosen for this reason after a limited competition, despite not conforming to the brief which called for a tower directly behind Treasury Building, one of Melbourne's most admired 19th Century buildings. The State Public Offices austere, crisply detailed elevations and elemental massing are also a clear expression of political power in Victoria of the 1960s, gesturing toward the Bolte government's view on administration and civic design.
The State Public Offices are architecturally important as a unique modernist "urban ensemble", consisting of three different but related buildings, set in plazas (originally with minimal landscaping). The design is uncompromisingly modern and severe, yet was designed to fit in with the surrounding historic buildings. The masonry construction, small classically proportioned window openings and location of the tower to one side of the Old Treasury was an unusually sensitive response to the urban context.
Technically the buildings are important for their innovative use of precast paneling incorporated as load bearing elements.
Yuncken Freeman Architects were one of the most highly regarded firms of their period, and were responsible for other stand-out buildings at the time, including the Sidney Myer Music Bowl (1959), Eagle House, Bourke Street (1971), BHP House (1972).
In 1970 Yuncken Freeman Architects received the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Bronze Medal for excellence in design for the State Public Offices.
Classified: 03/07/2000