Summary

ICI House soon after the building was completed at No.1 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. It was the first office building to exceed the 'City Building Height Limit', and was the tallest building [19 storeys] in Australia upon completion in 1958. Built for Imperial Chemical Industries and designed by Bates Smart architects. Now known as 'Orica House' [2020] .

One of approximately 85,000 negatives from the Laurie Richards Collection taken by the Melbourne based Laurie Richards Studio between the 1950s -1970s.

Laurie Richards was a professional photographer who began his career as a photo-journalist, working for the Advertiser newspaper in Adelaide, and the Argus and the Herald newspapers in Melbourne. In 1953, he opened his own business and set up a photographic studio at his home at 4 Tower Avenue, Alphington, an inner suburb of Melbourne. At its peak, in the late 1960s, the Laurie Richards Studio was one of Melbourne's pre-eminent commercial photographic studios, employing twelve photographers. The Laurie Richards Studio worked mainly in advertising and public relations, and had a broad clientele which included commercial companies, government institutions and the entertainment industry.

Description of Content

Exterior view of the ICI Building, looking south from Lonsdale Street, soon after completion. A glass skyscraper of 19 storeys.

Physical Description

Black and white cellulose acetate negative.

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