"Yurnga Flats" Bachelor Flat Complex - Balaclava
"Yurnga", is an Arts and Crafts style complex of bachelor flats in the Melbourne suburb of Balaclava.
Designed by Melbourne architect Harry Raymond Johnson, the three storey complex set of small bachelor flats that make up "Yurnga's" heavily developed site was built in 1920. At the time they were built, they were quite out of the way, being constructed far from the city centre or St Kilda's shopping district, however they were built at what was then the end of tram route down Brighton Road in 1920, so any gentleman living in "Yurnga" was but a quick tram ride from Melbourne's delights, or need only change at the St Kilda Road terminus to go down to St Kilda. When designed, each bachelor flat consisted of one bedroom, a kitchen, bathroom, dressing room and living room.
Whilst bachelor flats are usually associated with the Modernism of the 1930's, after the Great War (1914 - 1918), higher costs of living and the "servant problem" made living in the grand mansions and villas built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras a far less practical and attractive option for both those looking for new housing, and those who lived in big houses. It was around this time, in answer to these problems, that flats and apartments began to replace some larger houses, and became fashionable to live in. The younger generation also wanted their independence away from their family home and away from the watchful eye of the Victorian and Edwardian families so that they might live in a more modern way.
"Yurnga" would have suited men of comfortable means who could afford to live in a bachelor flat, and dispense with the difficulties of keeping a large retinue of staff. With clean lines, minimal detailing, large windows and balconies, and the use of red brick and concrete, it mirrored the prevailing uncluttered lines of Arts and Crafts architecture that came out of England before and immediately after the war.
The name "Yurnga" is Aboriginal for "extensive view", which at the time no doubt the bachelors of the "Yurnga" flats enjoyed.
Harry Raymond Johnson (1892 - 1954), known as Ray, was the son of Melbourne architect Harry M. G. Johnson (1867 - 1931). He was articled as an architect to his father, then began practice in 1915. During the 1920s, his practice blossomed, and he designed many country and suburban hotels including the Waterside Hotel in Flinders Street (1925). He also designed the Egyptian Art Deco Richmond Town Hall (1935). Between 1915 and 1928, he designed houses in Milton, Ruskin, and Addison Streets, Elwood. In 1920, Ray was architect for the "Yurnga Flats" on Brighton Road. Numerous blocks of flats in Elwood and St Kilda, followed this success. Before the Second World War, these included the "Marlo Flats" in Mitford Street (circa 1929), the Streamlined Moderne block of flats "Casa Milano" and additions in 1936 to the Oslo Guest House. Ray was also the designer for the Scoota Boat Building at Little Luna Park. Ray was elected councillor for the City of St Kilda, West Ward between 1931 and 1940 and he became Mayor between 1932 and 1933.
"Yurnga Flats" Bachelor Flat Complex - Balaclava
"Yurnga", is an Arts and Crafts style complex of bachelor flats in the Melbourne suburb of Balaclava.
Designed by Melbourne architect Harry Raymond Johnson, the three storey complex set of small bachelor flats that make up "Yurnga's" heavily developed site was built in 1920. At the time they were built, they were quite out of the way, being constructed far from the city centre or St Kilda's shopping district, however they were built at what was then the end of tram route down Brighton Road in 1920, so any gentleman living in "Yurnga" was but a quick tram ride from Melbourne's delights, or need only change at the St Kilda Road terminus to go down to St Kilda. When designed, each bachelor flat consisted of one bedroom, a kitchen, bathroom, dressing room and living room.
Whilst bachelor flats are usually associated with the Modernism of the 1930's, after the Great War (1914 - 1918), higher costs of living and the "servant problem" made living in the grand mansions and villas built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras a far less practical and attractive option for both those looking for new housing, and those who lived in big houses. It was around this time, in answer to these problems, that flats and apartments began to replace some larger houses, and became fashionable to live in. The younger generation also wanted their independence away from their family home and away from the watchful eye of the Victorian and Edwardian families so that they might live in a more modern way.
"Yurnga" would have suited men of comfortable means who could afford to live in a bachelor flat, and dispense with the difficulties of keeping a large retinue of staff. With clean lines, minimal detailing, large windows and balconies, and the use of red brick and concrete, it mirrored the prevailing uncluttered lines of Arts and Crafts architecture that came out of England before and immediately after the war.
The name "Yurnga" is Aboriginal for "extensive view", which at the time no doubt the bachelors of the "Yurnga" flats enjoyed.
Harry Raymond Johnson (1892 - 1954), known as Ray, was the son of Melbourne architect Harry M. G. Johnson (1867 - 1931). He was articled as an architect to his father, then began practice in 1915. During the 1920s, his practice blossomed, and he designed many country and suburban hotels including the Waterside Hotel in Flinders Street (1925). He also designed the Egyptian Art Deco Richmond Town Hall (1935). Between 1915 and 1928, he designed houses in Milton, Ruskin, and Addison Streets, Elwood. In 1920, Ray was architect for the "Yurnga Flats" on Brighton Road. Numerous blocks of flats in Elwood and St Kilda, followed this success. Before the Second World War, these included the "Marlo Flats" in Mitford Street (circa 1929), the Streamlined Moderne block of flats "Casa Milano" and additions in 1936 to the Oslo Guest House. Ray was also the designer for the Scoota Boat Building at Little Luna Park. Ray was elected councillor for the City of St Kilda, West Ward between 1931 and 1940 and he became Mayor between 1932 and 1933.