Harry Norris was an Australian architect, one of the more prolific and successful in Melbourne in the interwar period, best known for his 1930s Art Deco commercial work in the Melbourne CBD. His designs were informed by his regular overseas trips, especially to the United States, which he visited at least every 18 months from perhaps the late 1920s; and he was one of the very first architects to introduce the Art Deco style to major commercial projects. He had a strong and long relationship with the wealthy Nicholas family, designing not only the Nicholas Building, but the Aspro factory in South Melbourne, the spectacular mansion 'Burnham Beeches' in the Dandenongs for Alfred Nicholas, and various additions and alterations to Wesley College following a bequest from the family. He also had a long relationship with G. J. Coles, designing branches of their eponymous Coles Stores from the late 1920s, numerous matching Art Deco branches in the 1930s, and some of their earliest supermarkets in the 1950s, as well as a country house for E. B. Coles in 1938. He refused membership of the RVIA for many years until finally joining on the 21 February 1946. Harry Norris retired on his 78th birthday in June 1966 and died six months later.
Notable Projects
Nicholas Building Address: 27-41 Swanston Street Date of construction: 1925–26, 1939–40 The Nicholas Building is one of the most distinctive interwar office blocks in Melbourne. The facade is an essay in the Commercial Palazzo or Stripped Classical on a grand scale, with classical elements such as tall ionic pilasters and Doric columns and a wide cornice, all executed in architectural terra cotta, known in Australia as faience. The Cathedral Arcade is located on the ground floor and its glazed leadlight barrel vaulted ceiling is a main feature of the building. Norris had his architecture practice here from 1926 until moving to 136 Jolimont Road East Melbourne in the 1950s. The Nicholas Building was originally used as offices and retail, and as of the 2010s is known for specialist retail and creative industries. G.J. Coles Building Address: 298-304 Bourke Street Date of construction: 1929-30, 1938-40, 1984 Bates Smart McCutcheon Builder: Clements Langford Pty. Ltd. Engineer: Mr. Clive S.Steele The building is noted for its use of colorful Jazz Moderne detailing, the unusual mauve colour of the faience facade and an overall verticality created by the use of prominent vertical piers, a form known locally as "Commercial Gothic". It was one of the first large scale examples of Art Deco design in Melbourne both inside and out, opening in March 1930 to expectant crowds. Block Court Address: 288-292 Collins Street Date of construction:1929-30 Block Court was a remodelling project, introducing a shopping arcade to the ground floor of an older building, and remains the most ornate Art Deco interior in the city. Burnham Beeches Address : Sherbrooke Road, Sassafras, Date of construction : 1931–33 A large country house built for Alfred Nicholas, it is the most outstanding mansion in the Art Deco style Victoria. Built over three levels, set in extensive landscaped grounds, it included numerous bedrooms, living spaces, sunrooms and a rooftop deck, with large windows overlooking the hillside. The expression is in a white horizontal Streamlined Moderne mode, with decorative Jazz Moderne detailing including motifs of koalas and possums in moulded relief panels. Mitchell House Address: 325-362 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Date of construction: 1937 Mitchell House is located at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Lonsdale Street. The building is a fine example of Streamline Moderne, featuring horizontal bands of windows wrapping around the curved corner, broken by a contrasting vertical element topped by the gold lettering of the building's name.
