During a 30 year period between the 1930’s and 1960’s, about 90% of the new apartments constructed in Perth were designed by an architect named Harold Krantz. His designs focused on a minimalist approach, using small spaces efficiently and being affordable.
His designs, which were often deemed ugly by other architects, eventually became accepted during his time. Common features of Krantz’s work included features like sliding doors, built in furniture and even common facilities.
Key Takeaways:
- The website Perth Apartments: The Krantz Legacy chronicles his work designing practical, inexpensive housing for Australia.
- While many architects dismissed Krantz’s designs as ugly, they eventually became accepted and the norm for many buildings of its time.
- Krantz’s designs were so plentiful, they altered the overall look of Perth.
“Between the 1930s and 1960s it is believed that around ninety percent of the flats built in Perth were designed by architect Harold Krantz”
One popular example, the iconic Mount Eliza Apartments, was designed by his firm Krantz & Sheldon in 1964. The building features a circular form with distinctive fins sticking out the top of the building. This earned it the nickname “the thermos flask.” It’s now recognized by the Australian Institute of Architects as a nationally significant modernist piece.
Krantz’s work remains relevant today, not only for its architectural legacy but also for its lessons in economy and longevity. His focus of sturdy construction in Perth avoided unnecessary expenses opting instead for durable materials and waste-minimizing designs. This ethos kept both build and maintenance costs low while delivering resilient housing, standing the test of time.
Image source and more information: https://www.thekrantzlegacy.com/