Now the Gidgee Guesthouse, the London Bank building was constructed in Bourke in 1888, still retaining its sense of grandeur and opulence of Bourke's golden period as a major inland port. Today the guesthouse has an eclectic feel with their rooms leading to a garden courtyard filled with native plants and various knick-knacks.
Around the corner, the equally fine Lands Building (built in 1899) shows the creativity of early architects with air flowing under the building over rainwater cisterns and up through the wall cavities to create a natural air conditioning throughout the building (similar in idea to India's Amber Fort). Today regular air-conditioners have replaced this ingenious method that kept workers comfortable for nearly a century.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Historic Buildings (Bourke, Australia)
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13 comments:
The building is looking awesome.
The building is simply awesome.
@pooja: It is a striking building. I love the wide verandahs and wrought iron railings.
Beautiful buildings but a bit sad that they have converted them to use a/c; on the other hand, a/c probably keeps the humidity down, which will better preserve them.
@barbara: I suspect a/c is cooler again and given that it reaches mid-40 degree Celsius in summer, I am sure that better cooling is a reasonable option.
This looks really amazing, especially in the warm sunlight! Pretty architecture is always a big plus for me when choosing accommodation. I wonder what's the architectural style of Gidgee Guesthouse...
@best museums: I'd describe it as Victorian heritage style (though I don't pretend to speak "architecture") that you see in quite a few towns in Australia.
These buildings look so tidy and orderly. The wide overhangs and deep porches remind me of the military camp structures you see in the America southwest. Very practical in a hot climate.
@vera: With the hot weather and British settlement, I wonder if both have had the same architectural influences? It is amazing how cool a building can be with some decent design to keep the sun's rays out.
Its a perfect place to have a vacation together with your whole family, its simply and quietly.
@lastminute: Very peaceful around the river area.
As someone who once worked in the Lands building I can assure you that the reason they use a/c these days was the maintenance expense and complexity of the underfloor cooling system. As for the Old London Bank...you should have seen it before Chris fixed it...most of that facade was...absent and the building heavily cracked by the reactive soils. It's condition now is a credit to him and his efforts.
@seano: Thanks for your detail. Maybe harking for older times is a bit romantic. Chris did a fantastic job with the Old London Building.
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