5 Melbourne modern architectural curiosities straight outta the 90s

It would be difficult to find a Victorian who doesn’t know who Jeff Kennett is. The Liberal party politician was the Premier of Victoria for two terms from 1992 to 1998. During this period, many large infrastructure projects were undertaken, and Kennett is particularly remembered for the stamp these buildings have made on Melbourne streetscapes.

Architecture firm Denton Corker Marshall was a popular choice during these years; many of Melbournians’ least-liked buildings were born out of their studio.

1. The Melbourne International Gateway (aka. The Cheese Stick)

Designed by architects Denton Corker Marshall, the Cheese Stick was installed in 2000 along the side of the new Citylink tollway in 2000. The sculpture pays homage to the Victorian Gold Rush of 1865 that kickstarted Melbourne’s economy. Apparently, all you need to do to reference the Gold Rush is to paint your object yellow — who knew?

Accompanying the Cheese Stick is a set of smaller red sticks, which are said to represent the wheat industry. You’ll need to squint to see it.

2. Bolte Bridge

Also by Denton Corker Marshall, the Bolte Bridge was constructed to connect the northern section of CityLink with the road that heads south and out to the eastern suburbs. Distinctive for its 2 large beams protruding into the sky, these two pylons don’t actually add any support to the bridge and in fact are not connected to the main structure.

3. Federation Square

Federation Square finished construction just after the year 2000, to celebrate 100th birthday of Australia. A collection of buildings surrounding a central plaza, the buildings are designed in ‘deconstructivism style’, which is a post-modern hard-edged style of building.

The complex appeared in the ‘ugliest buildings in the world’ type of lists on multiple occasions. A divisive structure, you might make a judgment on the character of a Melburnian by asking them, ‘So, what do you think about the design of Federation Square?”

To look at the design now, you might wonder what all the fuss was about. Now 20 years old, the square was just ahead of its time.

4. Melbourne Museum

The new Melbourne Museum has a post-modern design with lots of metal and hard lines in a long thin building. The west end of the building consists of a protruding cube of colours in the fashion of a Rubik’s cube.

The building was controversial in its proximity to the Royal Exhibition Building, arguably Melbourne’s most spectacular building. People were worried that all their wedding photos taken in front of the building were going to be ruined by a modern eye-sore poking out in the background. Thankfully you can’t see the museum from the main promenade of Carlton Gardens and future brides and grooms and can rest easy.

5. Melbourne Exhibition Centre (aka Jeff’s Shed)

The Exhibition Centre located on Southbank may be the Kennett Government’s most iconic building. Again designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the building is often referred to by its nickname — Jeff’s Shed. The building is basically one big long shed, which is actually pretty spot-on for a large convention hall. The entrance to the centre consists of a large ‘blade’ supported by a couple of bright poles. I always thought it looked like take-off ramp.