Mitcham's modernist history celebrated
The City of Mitcham features some superb examples of modernist residential architecture, according to Adelaide historian Tim Reeves.
The author of Adelaide Modernism: 101 Houses is set to discuss his book and share his passion for mid-century homes as part of South Australia’s History Festival next month.
He says the appeal of modernist homes has increased in recent years along with an appreciation of mid-century modern furniture and design.
A selection of Mitcham homes featured in the book will be showcased in an exhibition at the Mitcham Memorial Library and Blackwood Library at Tiwu Kumangka next month.
Mitcham suburbs in the book include Belair, Bellevue Heights, Blackwood, Cumberland Park, Eden Hills, Hawthorn, Hawthorndene, Kingswood, Mitcham, Netherby, Springfield, Torrens Park, Urrbrae and Westbourne Park.
Mitcham homes represent around one third of the book’s 101 entries.
Tim wrote the book after he discovered a State Library archive of columns penned by architect John Chappel for The Advertiser.
For over 15 years, Chappel’s weekly column featured a house, along with floor plans, images and a description.
“With these wonderful photos and floor plans, I could see that there was something to be celebrated in Adelaide,” Tim says. “It really showed for me that we were producing houses well on par with the eastern states in terms of quality.”
Tim used a range of sources including magazines and journals along with interviews of architects, family members and homeowners to compile the book.
He says Mitcham has some “superb” examples of modernist design across the plains and hills.
“Torrens Park is one of the most important suburbs of Adelaide in terms of mid-century architecture, with a high density of this type of housing,” Tim says.
“Mitcham should be proud of its heritage and these homes. They are beautifully designed and often perfectly proportioned, with exquisite built-in kitchens and furnishings.”
Adelaide Modernism: 101 Houses Author Talk is on Friday 1 May from 2pm to 3pm at Mitcham Memorial Library. Find out more and save your spot