This post is part of a monthly series that explores the historical applications of building materials and systems through resources from the Building Technology Heritage Library (BTHL), an online collection of AEC catalogs, brochures, trade publications, and more. The BTHL is a project of the Association for Preservation Technology, an international building preservation organization.
The APT Building Technology Heritage Library expanded its geographic range in 2019 with a donation from Miles Lewis, an architectural historian and professor at the University of Melbourne, in Australia. From its start, the BTHL contained materials from Canada and Europe. The Lewis collection, however, expands those international holdings with documents from Australia and Europe, as well as North America. A quick look at some of the Australian documents reveals products with origins in Europe and America, evidence of a booming 19th century global economy. Some of the earliest Australian documents originated from England, but by the mid-20th century, American influences on Australian architectural products become more obvious.
Victorian Contractor’s & Builder’s Price Book, C. Mayes, Melbourne, 1859
This extensive list of building materials is the oldest Australian document in the BTHL. The mention of the name “Victorian” in the title reveals the English ties to Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901; Australia remained part of the British Commonwealth until 1986. The volume also contains labor rates, advertisements, and an abstract of the Melbourne Building Act of 1850, a building code requiring masonry buildings in the city center.
Designers and Manufacturers of Mantels, William Sandover & Co., Perth, Australia, c. 1910
The fireplace mantel was an early example of a basic architectural feature that became a prefabricated component by the middle of the 19th century. Perth, Australia–based William Sandover & Co., which also had facilities in London, produced mantels in a variety of “timbers” designed to go around a metal-and-tile firebox. The designs are fairly typical of the era and vary from simple to elaborate.
Building and Ornamental Stones of Australia, R.T. Baker, Sydney, 1915
This extensive volume from the government of New South Wales has a detailed list of Australian building stones with full-color images of completed stone projects. The list of stones reveals that Australia had a wide range of granites, marbles, slate, and sandstones, all of which were widely used in both England and the U.S.
Art Metal Ceilings, Wunderlich, Sydney, 1922
The Wunderlich Co. got its start in the sheet metal business. By the 1920s, it had an extensive line of stamped sheet metal ceilings, often referred to now as “tin ceilings.” While the designs are similar to those in the U.S., a closer look reveals that these designs developed in Australia and were not copies of those from the U.S.
Dunlop Home Builders, Dunlop Home Builders, Melbourne, c. 1925
House plan books are one of the most popular items in the BTHL, and several are from Australia. This delightful volume features single-family bungalow designs that are surprisingly similar to Craftsman style houses that were popular in the U.S.
Forty Years of Wunderlich Industry, Wunderlich, Sydney, 1927
This large volume contains extensive illustrations of the several different product lines including ornamental stamped sheet metal, storefronts, terra cotta, and asbestos panels. Wunderlich got started in the stamped sheet metal business and expanded into a variety of building products. There is a similar document from this company marking its 70th anniversary in 1957.
Quirk’s Air Gas Stove, Quirk’s Victory Light Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, 1928
Home appliances are also included in the BTHL. This small volume features kitchen stoves made with porcelain enamel finishes, which were a major change from the previous generation of black cast iron ranges. White porcelain enamel stoves became the preferred material for kitchen stove through the middle of the 20th century.
Wunderlich Durabestos Homes, Wunderlich, Sydney, 1938
This house plan book contains designs based upon the use of a single exterior material: asbestos cement building sheeting dubbed “Durabestos.” The designs also display the influence of the Art Moderne style in residential buildings.
Agco SupaLuvres in Extruded Aluminum with P.V.C. Weahterseals, A.F. Agnew & Co., Melbourne, 1950s
The American name for these would be “jealosie” windows, which were popular in warmer climates and for outdoor spaces such as porches.
Rosella Plastic Floor Coverings for Every Room in the Home, Rosella, Sydney,1960s
Sheet and tile PVC flooring became increasingly popular in the 1950s. The small floor covering catalog features designs from the “sputnik” and “starburst“ era.
