The Royal Exhibition Building, located at 9 Nicholson Street, Melbourne, was initially built to hold a 19th-century international exhibition in 1880 and then witnessed several other landmark events in Melbourne, such as the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition in 1888 and Opening of Federal Parliament on 1 May 1901. It continues to be used as a general exhibition hall today as well as an exam hall for several high schools and universities. This essay will explore the spectacular exhibition architecture from three aspects: the motivation to erect this building and its influences within historic context, the architectural styles and detailed elements in comparison with other buildings from which the architect Joseph Reed got inspirations from, its
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In order to reveal its achievements of modern industries, the Society of Arts held the first formal display of manufactured goods in 1756-7 in London, as a commencing of the concept of international exhibition (Briggs, 2002 manuscript).In the ensuing decades, France and elsewhere in Europe hosted similar exhibitions in their own regions. Australia, as a colonial country, thanks to the world's biggest gold rush, achieving a notable improvement in manufactories, held exhibitions in Sydney and Melbourne in response to the international exhibition movement to make a splash and show off its power on the world stage. The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, commissioned by Sir Redmond Barry, hosted two major International Exhibitions to display its own economic and industrial productions outside Britain. Furthermore, the building as a symbolic architecture was an exquisite exhibit itself which, to some extent, encouraged people's pursuing for both political and cultural independence. In May 1901, this building was selected as a site for opening of the first Federal Parliament. 12,000 people attended and witnessed this gala event. Artist Charles Nuttall captured this scene and the painting now is still displayed in the building's mezzanine. The Royal Exhibition Building was later used as various venues in different period of time such as the Victorian Parliament's office, a hospital, barracks and even the wrestling venue during the 1956 Olympic Games. Although some extensive temporary buildings and annexes erected as aquarium or ballroom for temporary use were burnt down, fortunately, the main part of the building, the Great Hall, has been remained intact until today, unlike Sydney's Exhibition Hall and many other exhibition buildings in the 19th century being demolished after finishing their mission. In 2004, the
In order to reveal its achievements of modern industries, the Society of Arts held the first formal display of manufactured goods in 1756-7 in London, as a commencing of the concept of international exhibition (Briggs, 2002 manuscript).In the ensuing decades, France and elsewhere in Europe hosted similar exhibitions in their own regions. Australia, as a colonial country, thanks to the world's biggest gold rush, achieving a notable improvement in manufactories, held exhibitions in Sydney and Melbourne in response to the international exhibition movement to make a splash and show off its power on the world stage. The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, commissioned by Sir Redmond Barry, hosted two major International Exhibitions to display its own economic and industrial productions outside Britain. Furthermore, the building as a symbolic architecture was an exquisite exhibit itself which, to some extent, encouraged people's pursuing for both political and cultural independence. In May 1901, this building was selected as a site for opening of the first Federal Parliament. 12,000 people attended and witnessed this gala event. Artist Charles Nuttall captured this scene and the painting now is still displayed in the building's mezzanine. The Royal Exhibition Building was later used as various venues in different period of time such as the Victorian Parliament's office, a hospital, barracks and even the wrestling venue during the 1956 Olympic Games. Although some extensive temporary buildings and annexes erected as aquarium or ballroom for temporary use were burnt down, fortunately, the main part of the building, the Great Hall, has been remained intact until today, unlike Sydney's Exhibition Hall and many other exhibition buildings in the 19th century being demolished after finishing their mission. In 2004, the