333 COLLINS ST

333 Collins Street is possibly the most ambitious of all post-modern projects from the 1990s office boom.The building is the latest reuse of a bank which dates back to 1891. The CBA building was significantly modified in the 1930s with a modern chicagoesque facade. The 333 Collins Street project maintains the original banking chamber dome of the CBA, via a complex feat of engineering. On top of this the building adds a mass of granite and glass in a step back form. The tower culminates in a copper dome reminiscent of Flinder Street station, making an impression on the skyline.

The effect of cascading masses gives a picturesque sillhoutte to the building.The Collins Street facade was again remodelled to a semblance of the original Victorian classical building, and a podiums which are sympathetic to neighbouring buildings. This gives the post-modern ability to be read as either a collection of buildings or the one. The new podium has a smaller version of the main dome, and elaborate ornamentation, with granite stonework and large brass lanterns. Internal corridors are also elaborately vaulted, with renaissance classical inspiration.An impressive post-modern skyscraper which spares no expense in recreating the grandeur of Victorian Melbourne, whilst achieving a timelessness all of its own.

This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme.