Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Melbourne

I've written previously about the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) in A'Beckett St but today I took the opportunity to re-visit this 1938 former Australian Army Medical Corps building by architect George Hallendal as part of the Melbourne Open House weekend.

Firstly there was the added benefit of the exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of Flinders St Station based on Jenny Davies book, Beyond the Façade. But it is the Art Deco features, especially in the former Mess Hall upstairs, that drew me back.

The former Mess Hall is now used by RHSV as a meeting space.

The simple decoration includes these scallop elements either side of the ceiling beams and the 'cake stand' lights.

Melbourne Open House continues tomorrow with about 60 buildings open to the public and if you go to the RHSV building, don't miss the small toilet off the Mess Hall and check out the glorious orange Art Deco tiles.