Well known broadcaster and comedian Tim Ross will present a two-part series on Australian architecture on the ABC early November.
The television series ‘Streets of Your Town’ traces the architectural evolution of Australian suburbs from the post-war period to the present day. Over two episodes, the programme will follow the journey of Australian modernism popular during the 1960s and 70s, and its transition into ‘McMansionism’ when the trend shifted to large homes with a dominating street presence towards the end of the 1970s.
According to Ross, the series sheds light on how Australia had some of the best residential architecture in the world throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and its evolution into some of the worst examples. Fascinated by the great modernist project homes of the 1960s and 1970s, he sought to find out why many Australians turned their back on good design.
Some of the buildings featured in the series include Roy Grounds’ Shine Dome in Canberra, Harry Seidler’s Blues Point Tower, Rose Seidler House and Meller House in Sydney; Peter McIntyre’s McIntyre House in Melbourne; Miles Jakl’s Carousel Restaurant, Red Hill Lookout in Canberra; and Aubrey Job and Robert Froud’s Torbreck building in Brisbane, all captured beautifully by cinematographer Rod Pollard.
The first episode of ‘Streets of Your Town’ will air on the ABC at 8.30pm on 8 November, followed by the second episode on 15 November.
