Melbourne accumulated a large amount of wealth during the 1850’s gold rush and changed drastically from some unknown city to one of the most prosperous city at the time . As the product of the 19th century’s golden age of international exhibitions, the Royal Exhibition building intended to host the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, and hence showcased the prosperity, vitality and the bright future of the city to the world .
The building was designed by Joseph Reed and built by David Mitchell during the period of 1879-1880 and was the largest building at the time. Featuring mainly ‘German Rundbogenstil (round-arched style) style’ and also influenced by, Italian Renaissance, Romanesque and Lombardic buildings, it was so designed that …show more content…
This is not just about the huge physical dimensions horizontally and vertically, but also further reminds people of its importance. It feels grand. The dome especially, standing out from miles away, is the most distinguishable architectural element. It is 60 meters high , built in the dome and drum type structure, which received influence from the Brunelleschi’s Florence cathedral.

The building and the site has been set up in an axial arrangement, despite several alterations to the site. The Great Hall today sits on the original East- West axis. On the plan, the building is cruciform, with rectangular wings reaching to both East and West, and transept which is longer on the North than the South . At both ends of each façade, there is a square-based pavilion that marks the end of façade and transits into the façade at right …show more content…
However, looking at the porches with the overall composition of the two elevations, the two portals feel different. The enormous central porches on the Southern elevation is very outstanding. The central porch features a large round arch, which is essentially what Rundbogenstil style is. Above the arch is the decorative triangular roof similar to a pediment, which is seen in Renaissance architecture. Moving down the arch, immediately the huge semicircular fanlight immediately, that is arranged by three different shape (circular, tear- shape and a shape that transits between the two), comes to sight. Below the fanlight are the lintel and carved-round-arched-like ornamentation that is seen repeatedly throughout the building. Below those are three doors, separated by two piers. Next to the porch are two large towers, which together with the porch forms the façade of transepts, standing on the left and right. The towers show the reference in style to Romanesque style architecture. The porch on the northern elevation, however, does not feel as great since the transept reaches further and that the towers are smaller than that of the Southern