Medina Hall is a classic 1917 apartment block.

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It shares the same design DNA as Kew-Lodge, its buddy building next door.

Its interior high ceilings, decorative ceiling plasterwork, arched sash windows, picture rails and wooden floorboards are all indicative of the period.

Its exterior Juliette balconies and castellated parapet mirror its buddy building, Kew-Lodge.

Federation style was prevalent from around 1890 to 1915. It preceded Art Deco and Style Moderne, prevalent also from about the 1920s. The style name, Federation Style, refers to the Federation of Australia on 1st January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the Commonwealth of Australia. The Federation period overlaps the Edwardian period, named after the reign of King Edward VII (1901-1910) and the Art Deco period. As the style both preceded and extended beyond Edward’s reign, the term “Federation architecture” was coined retrospectively in 1969.

The Federation Arts and Crafts style had its origins in England, where architects were reacting to the impersonal nature of the steelworks of the Industrial Revolution. Crafts and handiwork were emphasised to give architecture the “human touch”. These influences were absorbed into Federation Australia and can be seen in Median Hall with its Olde English “castle-style” battlements atop its parapet and its mock mediaeval rough cast façade.

Its interior, obelisk-style columns between rooms are classical elements as are the ceiling mouldings. Door architraves anticipate the Art Deco period.

Medina Hall is 103 years old but retains its noble landmark setting in its streetscape, close to Rushcutters Bay Park, the CBD and amenities.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions