The Beaumaris Modern Book

Grutzner House - Beaumaris Australia - living room
The Grutzner House in Beaumaris, AU
Photos: courtesy of Melbourne Books

Beaumaris Modern is a testimony to the blooming and progressive lifestyle preferred by bohemians, artists and young couples in Australia’s Post Second World War Beaumaris neighborhood. 

Documented by Jacko Shelton, this book pays homage to the heritage of the area’s midcentury modern design, presenting homes in the area as well as illustrating the radical architectural arrangements that pick up on indulgent elements within the surroundings, “these are houses properly planned to take advantage of the sun and the block, with provision of spaces for children – sun galleries and play rooms – and carports not garages – houses that epitomise Good Life Modernism”.

Grutzner House - Beaumaris Australia - living room
Grutzner House - Beaumaris Australia - living room
Grutzner House - Beaumaris Australia -
Grutzner House - Beaumaris Australia - staircase

While some of the houses have changed owners over time, others preserve relationships up to six decades with the owners, each house carrying its own story, “the stories from the original owners are fascinating and offer insights into a time when the roads were nothing more than sandy tracks and the land was covered in tea-green and other indigenous species”.

Beaumaris, like other similar architecturally significant areas, is fighting to protect its modernist legacy. “In April 2018, Bayside Council decided to abandon its mid-century modern heritage study… The problem is that Beaumaris is a great place to live amidst exponentially increasing land values”.

Beaumaris Modern delves into the history of the modernist homes of Beaumaris as well as the ingredients causing threat to them, one of which is that in order to maintain its midcentury modern spirit, home buyers must be not only enthusiasts of the style, but also willing to take the necessary measures to keep the architectures in question operative. 

Grutzner House - Beaumaris Australia -
Grutzner House - Beaumaris Australia -
Grutzner House - Beaumaris Australia -