7
It’s the building with flares, gold
chains and reeking of Patchouli oil.
It’s a wild-child of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
And it’s back again—a lot wiser,
smarter and better looking than ever.
I
dentifying opportunity when others pass blithely by
was the first achievement. Since then, there has been
no holding back those behind one of Australian television’s
great success stories.
The Block architect, Julian Brenchley of Sydney,
speaks of his immediate intrigue and seduction by the
quirky former motel on Melbourne’s Commercial Road in
fashionable South Yarra. “I was fascinated,” recalls
Brenchley, who has been a stalwart and driver of project
selection since the program’s start in 2002.
The Octagon is also one of the first public applications
of Viridian’s LightBridge™ glazing. Ultra-clear yet with
a high UV defence, this unassuming glazing system
promises to deliver diva-like results. Its clarity and stellar
environmental performance contribute hugely to
the Octagon’s new relevance.
PROJECT
The Block's Octagon
South Yarra, Melbourne VIC
ARCHITECT
Julian Brenchley
PRINCIPAL GLAZING
Viridian LightBridge™ IGUs
TEXT, IMAGES & FILM
Peter & Jenny Hyatt