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New photo book reveals life inside notorious Sydney eyesore

By Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence •

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Award-winning photographer Yasmin Mund has released Concrete Jungle, a retrospective of one of Sydney’s ugliest buildings, Glenview Court. She has explored and documented life in the iconic Tamarama apartment block where she herself resided for three years prior to its closure for a multimillion dollar redevelopment.

Glenview Court, Tamarama, was known for its stunning views from inside, and ugly facade

A building often loathed from the outside but adored from within, anyone who hadn’t lived in the building perhaps couldn’t understand its appeal. Outside was one of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches, and inside was a diverse and convivial community of retirees, backpackers, creatives, and even squatters. The juxtaposition of living in such a derelict building in one of Sydney’s most glamorous and expensive suburbs provided a truly unique experience. 

That view

A brutalist white concrete block perched on a clifftop overlooking Tamarama Beach, it has been nicknamed The Beast, the Tamarama Toaster, the Soviet Hospital, and the Housing Commission. Originally designed by Australia’s most celebrated architect, Harry Seidler, it was modified and corners were cut by the notorious Rene Rivkin’s developer father, Walter Rivkin. Over ensuing years, the 78 apartments rapidly descended into dilapidation and disrepair. It hit major trouble 10 years ago when it was served with numerous fire orders and was discovered to be riddled with concrete cancer. 

Photographer Yasmin Mund

As a documentary photographer residing in the building, Yasmin knew she had to try and capture what it was like to live there. “I was able to approach the project with a more intimate and integrated ‘this is my home too’ attitude, embracing a genuine curiosity and empathy for how my neighbours were living, and why they had also chosen this place as their home.”

Her photographic study looks across 15 apartments and their residents, bringing to light what living in Glenview Court was like for the first and last time. Subjects include Archibald Prize-winning artist Craig Ruddy, TV Director Adam Kiers, Karen Halabi, a freelance journalist and editor, as well as many other creatives.

Craig Ruddy & Roberto

“With all the new development in the world, especially in cities like Sydney, there seems to be at times a lack of reflection on the history of old buildings before they are leveled or redeveloped,” Yasmin continues. “I wanted to document not just this building, but the people who bring the building to life.” 

The now newly renamed Sky Tamarama is also making history as the largest redevelopment project on Sydney’s eastern seaboard. The way the development was maneuvered through the application process and funded is innovative and pioneering. It saw the body corporate taking out Australia’s biggest strata loan – originally $9 million – to fund the upgrade. Its unique model has since been replicated by other strata developments and has created a template for hundreds of similarly decrepit apartment blocks around the city. 

“This story of gentrification is universal,” says Yasmin. “This project is a time stamp of the past, which captures the residents before the upgrade, and before the building becomes shiny and new again. This is why the project is so valuable and universal, because our homes, or lack thereof, represent a huge part of our human existence.”

Buy the book, Concrete Jungle, for $85.

There’s an exhibition, with a limited number of prints available to buy, at Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club until this Sunday 18 April 2021. For more information.

Love of beach cottages inspires beautiful book
Former real living magazine editor Deborah Bibby shares seven beach houses in her new book, The Originals. And it’s one of the most gorgeous books (full of very real and…
Dated and dark apartment opened up and given luxe new life
Whoever gets to live in this stylish apartment on Sydney’s Lower North Shore is one lucky renter! The investment property was recently taken from dark and dated to light and…

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April 16, 2021

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Pink and green should always be seen! From time t Pink and green should always be seen!

From time to time, we stray from our Australian-homes-only rule when we uncover something we really love! This project, by @2lgstudio (and also the interior design duo’s own home) is featured in Ornament Is Not a Crime, a new coffee table interiors book by Sydney-based design writer @rebeccalgross.

Head to the homepage via link in bio to read about this home and see more colourful pictures in an extract.

#2lgstudio #2lg #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #londonhome #londonhomes #brighthome #brightinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulhome #interiordesignersathome #pinkandgreen #pinkandgreendecor #pinkandgreenshouldalwaysbeseen
Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?! Natas Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?!

Natasha from QLD recently finished a major reno of her Queenslander and this is her favourite room of all. We can see why!

She used @beaumont.tiles  Lux Calcutta slabs in gloss the wall and matt for the floor.

 "We have infused a Hamptons style whilst still remaining true to the traditions of old Queenslanders," she said. "Our bathroom is north west facing and captures such great morning light. We wrapped the cabinetry all the way along the vanity for ease of access for the bath, towels and accessories. We tiled all the way to the ceiling to create a more luxurious space. It's my favourite room in the house!"

#ichosebeaumonts #beaumonttiles #tiles #bathroomtile #bathroomtiling #hamptonsbathroom #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderbathroom #luxurybathroom #australianbathroom #australianbathrooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 very different looks last night which was great!

One question that kept coming up was just how important is the butler's pantry? Love to hear your thoughts. Do you have one? And which was your favourite last night? Please share in the comments.

Head to the blog via link in bio to find out who won and what the judges said. 

#theblock #theblockshop #blockshopper #theblockroomreveals #kitchenweek #kitchenpalette #kitchencabinetry #kitchenstyles
Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylis Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylish home was renovated recently with @keenarchitecture and @studio_esar at the helm. Brimming with fun, functionality and colour, the home is shared by ex MasterChef contestant Peter Kritikides, his wife Erica and their two children. 

Occupied by the family since 2015, the renovation brief called for a sympathetic yet modern upgrade to the heritage listed original home as well as the demolition and rebuild of the back of the residence.

Want to see the kitchen? Head to the blog via link in bio.

#elsternwick #melbournehome #melbournehomes #masterchefaustralia #masterchefcontestant #masterchefcontestants #chefskitchen #heritagearchitecture #heritagehome #heritagerenovation #monochromehome #colourfulhome #bookshelfstyling #bookcasestyling #colourfulbooks #fireplacedecor #velvetcouch #livingroomstyle #livingroomart
GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Bl GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Block master bedroom walk ins on the blog now.

Which was your fave?

Via latest posts link in bio now.

#walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #wardrobes #wardrobe #wardrobe #bedroomstorage #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #kinsman #kinsmankitchens #kinsmanwardrobes #dressingroom #dressingtable
A home that got all its extra special details AFTE A home that got all its extra special details AFTER handover with stunning results!

When Emma Fuller built her family home five years ago, she went with the ‘basic’ package with a view to elevating the spaces in a more budget-friendly manner down the line. Knowing that she couldn’t afford her entire wish list upfront, she made allowances within the plans so that she could add all the special details later.

“Although the builder could have incorporated every detail we asked for, we knew it would have blown our budget, but that didn’t mean I was going to let the dream go,” says @hamptonsinhighfields 

Patience and hard work have definitely paid off and today on the blog we are showing you how she did it from adding a fireplace, bench seat, wallpaper, french doors, a mudroom, built in bookcases, fretwork, kitchen island trim, IKEA wardrobes and more!

Via link in bio now.

#newbuild #hamptonsaustralia #hamptonsnewbuild #fretwork #benchseat #benchseating #fireplace🔥 #fireplacedecor #ikeahacks #diymudroom #mudroom #kidsroomwallpaper #frenchdoors #frenchdoor #hallwaydoors #frenchdoorpantry #butlerspantrydesign #newbuildupgrades
Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or bo Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or boring!

The latest @kaboodlekitchen trends release, in collaboration with stylist @jono.fleming, are anything but. These are just 4 of 6 new colours for the brand, sold in Bunnings.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the others (hint: one of them might be pink! 🩷). You'll also find out how to get a free copy of the latest Kaboodle edit magazine sent to you, chock full of inspiring real projects like my navy laundry!

Which of these is your pick? Would you venture outside of a white kitchen? What colour is yours?

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodlelaundry #kaboodle #flatpackfurniture #flatpackkitchen #bunningskitchen #flatpackcabinets #budgetkitchen #ontrendkitchens #colourfulkitchen #colouredcabinets #kitchencolourtrends2023 #colourtrends2023 #boldkitchen #jonofleming #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #bunningsdiy #heartyourhome #realreno #realrenovations #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenonabudget #colourfullaundry #flatpacklaundry
Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own rug range this week and they're a bit gorgeous! 😍 These are the kind of beautiful, neutral, textured, natural, ethically and sustainably produced rugs that will stand the test of time.

Pop over to the blog via link in bio to read our chat with him.

“I believe in the democratisation of good design,” says Darren, who wanted the rugs to be affordable. “It was very important to me that they were ethically made, and they are all Good Weave certified ensuring that no child labour is involved in their creation."

#darrenpalmer #darrenpalmerofficial #darrenpalmerinteriors #theblock #rugshopping #rugdesign #ruggoals #rugmaking #naturalrugs #sustainablerugs #ethicalrugs #jute #juterug #juterugs #handcarved #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #goodweave
Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost pe Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost perfect score on the Block last night.

Even if their bedsides weren't exactly generous, they were bigger than most last night. What was going on there?!

As ever, love to know your thoughts. See more, read the judges' comments and shop the looks via link in bio now.

#theblockroomreveals
#theblock #theblock2023 #blockshopper #masterbedroomdecor #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #mastersuites #walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno
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About Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence

Caoimhe is interning at Interiors Addict as part of their degree studies at the University of New South Wales

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Comments

  1. AvatarSiemianowice, Katowice. says

    December 22, 2021 at 1:38 am

    It was never an ugly building.
    Folk who say it was are exaggerating.
    When the first residents and buyers saw it the loved it
    A happy home to many for decades.
    There may have been some who disliked it but the law of the time allowed for such a structure.
    Neighbouring residents must tolerate and love their neighbours and their neighbour’s building.
    (a Holy Bible advise.)
    .
    Have a great New Year 😊

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