Summary

Black and white silver gelatin photograph of Building 7 Testing taken from inside the structure and looking east at ground level, shows the progress of the building construction, Kodak factory, Coburg, January 1958.

Apart from some special architectural features, Building 7 was typical of the structural styles used in many of the manufacturing buildings throughout the complex, that is, single-storey, low profile, steel columns and steel trussed roofs with brick outer walls allowing large open spaced interiors with air-conditioning and other local services installed in the central ceiling space. This meant that any internal walls and divisions were light weight and non-load-bearing and could easily be altered to match changes to manufacturing requirements.

The drainage works shown underway were for sewerage and floor drains which would eventually be located under a floating concrete floor. Any alterations to drains, while more difficult than wall partitions, did not affect the structural integrity of the building. The two plumber tradesman can be seen assembling earthenware pipes and fittings which were sealed with rubber rings and mortar. Most of the trench digging was done by hand with pick and shovel.

Kodak manufactured and distributed a wide range of photographic products to Australasia, such as, film, paper, chemicals, cameras and miscellaneous equipment. Its client base included amateur and professional photographers as well as specialist medical and graphic art professionals who used photography, x-ray and other imaging techniques.

This photograph is part of the Kodak collection of products, promotional materials, photographs and working life artefacts collected from Kodak Australasia in 2005 after the manufacturing plant at Coburg had closed down the year before.

Description of Content

Image of a view from the inside of building under construction. Two plumber tradesman can be seen assembling earthenware drainage pipes and fittings in a trench, one man in the trench while the other is assisting him from above. In the background, residences in Elizabeth Street can be seen through the east facing wall. The striated shadows on the earthworks are from the still-to-be-clad steel roof trusses and steel ceiling beams.

Physical Description

Black and white silver gelatin photograph printed on light weight paper, portrait format.

More Information