Pre-fabricated buildings were shipped to Australia in large numbers. They
were in a number of forms: timber, paper mache and corrugated and cast iron.
There were also a large number of prefabricated buildings and huts shipped
to Australia during 1939-1945 and in the early 1950's, I have done some work
on Nissen and Quonset huts and have references to other work on different
buildings. This may be too late a period for you.
The pre-eminent author of work on prefabricated buildings in Australia is Dr
Miles Lewis. He wrote an excellent paper in Australian Historical
Archaeology which you might be able to find and a similar paper in a book on
The history and Design of the Australian House. He is based at the
University of Melbourne and if you search their web site you will find him
and his web site which may also contain information on portable houses. The
references are
Lewis, M. B., 1985, The Diagnosis of Prefabricated Buildings: Australian
Historical Archaeology, v. 3, p. 56-69
Lewis, M. B., 1985, The Portable house, in R. Irving, ed., The History and
Design of the Australian House: Melbourne, Oxford University Press, p.
274-289.
There is also some more detailed Conservation Management Plans prepared for
some buildings which would give more comprehensive details on each building.
The buildings I took Mary to were corrugated iron buildings preserved on a
site in Coventry Street South Melbourne. They were the survivors of a series
of portable houses in Coventry Street but whose origin is unknown but
probably from England.
I can supply further information if required.
Dr Iain Stuart
Principal, Archaeology and Heritage Management
HLA-Envirosciences Pty. Ltd.
P.O. Box 726
Pymble, NSW 2073
Australia
Ph. 61 2 99884422
Fax 61 2 99884441
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