Housing‘’How have houses changed in Richmond from the 20th century onwards?’’Jaycie Zhao

There are 3 historical times which have changed housing architecture in Richmond:

• The Gold Rush• The Federation of Australia• World War 2

Portable Iron Cottages• Invented because tents were too small • Could be setup without professional help• Cheap• Made of corrugated iron, with wood panelling over

the top• Range of sizes; from a 2 roomed cottage to a

mansion• Bigger houses were for richer people• Smaller houses could house up to 10 people• Kitchen outside• Toilet was shared with other houses until the

dunny was invented

Wooden Cottages• However, for people that were not intending to head to the gold fields, cottages made from timber were popular• 2-3 rooms• Outdoor kitchen and toilet• Crammed between other houses• Shared backyards• Poor sanitation and sewage disposal (most was

dumped into the Yarra) meant disease was rampant

Federation Architecture• Federation united the nation, creating a better

economy for better houses• Based off houses from the Victorian, Edwardian and

Georgian eras. This architecture style was popular during 1890-1910

• Notable features are the veranda in Australian homes• Richmond homes still have remnants of these house

styles• Australian symbols such as the wattle flower,

Australian coat of arms• Wooden lattices used• Big gardens desired by families• Most popular style was called ‘’Federation Queen Anne’• Very elaborate

Much of the older buildings on Collins St in the CBD are also of the Federation style

More examples:

Post World War 2• Very short supply of materials because of war, and

the depression before it. Houses during Federation could not be built, and materials turned back to corrugated iron, timber and concrete.

• Small, no veranda or fireplace• Sewage services not always available• In the few months post war, houses could be likened to the cottages during the gold rush• Richmond is closer to the city; hence higher

population. Houses needed to be close together, and quite small.

• As time passed and materials became more available, brick veneer buildings became popular during the 1950’s, and houses became bigger again

• The exponential increase in immigrants from Europe and Asia meant less inner-suburban homes, and the development of high rise flats

• In Richmond especially, certain areas are dominated by Chinese and Vietnamese communities

Conclusion• Houses have changed according to the times, how

much money is available during that time, as well as the population in the area. This is evident on the change of the house styles and materials used to build them, in the mentioned time periods.

• All three styles of houses can still be seen if you walk around Richmond, scattered in between modern houses

• It is important to keep the memory of these houses intact to preserve the history surrounding them; not only houses but other buildings such as St Stephens Church (which is of the ‘Arts and Craft’ style of Federation Architecture, notable due to its towering spire)

Bibliography• Melbourne History exhibit at the Melbourne Museum• Heritage House visit during the bike ride• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_architecture• http://www.buildreport.com.au/heritage1900.html• http://www.nationre.com.au/architectural-styles/federa

tion-architecture-1890-%E2%80%93-1915/

• http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic/interactive-search• http://

www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=10693

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modernism