Caringal Flats

Krantz and Sheldon.

1963.

16 Hensman Street, South Perth.

The block of flats known as “Caringal”, Hensman Street, South Perth, consists of a three-storey building of 38 units, 29 of which are one-bedroom units and 9 are two-bedroom units. The building is divided into 3 sections enclosing 3 sides of a large courtyard. The site is high on a hill commanding fine views of the Swan River and Kings Park, approximately in westerly direction. The panoramic view includes Canning Bridge and Canning River, and a distant view of the University. The courtyard, because of the slope of the land, is one storey below the ground floor and is used mainly for parking, but a special effort has been made to provide as much landscaping as possible.

The architects have departed from the normal strictly functional elevational appearance by including at various points open grilles consisting of vertical concrete fins, painted black, with glazing behind. This give emphasis to the necessary focal points and a common link between the various sections of the design. All external walls are constructed of pastel bricks in cement mortar, with balcony balustrades of cream concrete blocks in sections connected with horizontal bands of rough-sawn oiled jarrah. To form a terminating band a eaves level a wide fascia is painted black.

Every flat is provided with a protecting balcony across the full width of the lounge and bedroom fully-glazed walls.

The Architect, March 1966.