Architecture
As part of its business collection policy, UMA has acquired the records of both architectural firms and of individual architects. These collections contain a range of records but of interest to many researchers are those collections with job files, specifications and plans and drawings relating to Melbourne buildings. The collection of the early surveying firm, Mahlstedt's Pty Ltd, holds some 200 block plans of buildings in the Melbourne city area from 1877-1962. There are also architectural plans and drawings contained within certain other business collections, such as the building firm of Clements Langford Pty Ltd and the retailing house Foy and Gibson, as well as in the records of some trade union bodies (e.g. Victorian Trades Hall Council). The main collections include:
- Bates, Smart & McCutcheon (including many University of Melbourne buildings)
- Peter Burrowes
- JJ & EJ Clark
- Leith & Bartlett (including drawings of Robert Haddon)
- James Earle partnerships
- William Pitt
- AW Purnell
- Stephenson and Turner
- University of Melbourne Staff Architect's office (from a variety of architects)
- Yuncken Freeman Associates
Smaller collections are held from:
The Clements Langford builders' collection alone contains drawings from some 140 different architects, including Nahum Barnet, Buchan, Laird & Buchan, Charles D'Ebro, Gawler & Drummond, A & K Henderson, Oakden & Ballantyne, Smith, Ogg & Serpell, Stephenson & Meldrum and HW & FB Tompkins.
Please note: Due to their size and/or fragility, researchers are asked to use collections of architectural drawings at the Archives' repository at 120 Dawson Street, West Brunswick.
Architectural Drawings at the Archives: A Listing and Storage Survey by Mark Richmond from the UMA Bulletin.