Vitaly de Gzell (1908-1977) was a Russian-Australian architect, who practised in Queensland in the modernist tradition.

Early life

Vitaly de Gzell was born on 21 December 1908 in Harbin, China to Russian parents, Alexander Gzell and his wife.[1] He was their only child.[2] They emigrated to Australia in 1925 and Vitaly became an Australian citizen in 1935.[3] Alexander Gzell was a furniture maker after emigrating to Australia.[2]

Gzell completed his education in Brisbane and then proceeded to undertake a Diploma in Architecture from the Brisbane Central Technical College, graduating in 1933.

Career

Gzell began work as a draughtsman with Godfrey A. Blackburne after his graduation.[2] He was not yet a British citizen.[2] Gzell was made a partner in 1934 with the firm going by the name Blackburne & Gzell architects. Each architect served in the military during World War II.

They dissolved their partnership in 1953 and Gzell operated his own architectural firm from 1953-1974. He was also a keen furniture maker who displayed his works in the homes he designed.

War Service

He served in the Australian Army during World War II, demobilising with the rank of Major.[4][5]

Notable designs

Work as Blackburne & Gzell

  • Dunk Island Tourist Resort (1935)
  • Schureck home, Eblin Drive, Hamilton (1936)[6]
  • 54 Highland Terrace, St Lucia (1936)
  • Bellevue Court, Clayfield (1937)[7][8]
  • Mathers House, Holland Park (1937)[9]
  • Dorchester Inn, Spring Hill (1938)[7]
  • Remodelling of Christie's Cafe, 217-219 Queen Street, Brisbane (c.1938) - it features Gzell's gazelle motif.[2][10]
  • Read Press Building, Fortitude Valley (1939)
  • Hinda aka Rialto Lodge, Coorparoo (1940)[7]
  • Estia Court, Highgate Hill (1940)[7]
  • Alexia House, Spring Hill (1940)[7]
  • Gzell's home, 25 Aston Street, Toowong (1946–47)[11][2]
  • Chester Estate No. 2 at Mt Gravatt (10 houses) (1948)[12]

Work as sole architect

  • 11 Tarcoola Street, St Lucia (1957)[13]
  • 7 Herbert Street, Toowong (1957)[14]
  • The Mawby Residence, Langside Road, Hamilton (1958)[15][16]
  • ‘Lumeah’, Bina Avenue, Indooroopilly (1959)
  • 421 Brookfield Road, Kenmore Hills (1965)[13]
  • Twelfth Night Theatre, Bowen Hills (1969)
  • 12 Burgess Street, Kings Beach[17]

Later life

In his later years Gzell was well known for hosting art exhibitions and concerts in his home, Usonia (now demolished). This home had been designed for presentation to prospective clients.

Awards and memberships

Personal life

Gzell married Lorna Martin in 1936.[18] He died on 17 April 1977. They had three children, Barbara, Ian and Julie.

Legacy

Correspondence relating to his architectural work is located in the University of Queensland Fryer Library.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Digital Archive of Queensland Architecture". qldarch.net. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 East, John W. (2019). "The Brisbane Architectural Practice of Blackburne and Gzell (1934-1953): A Catalogue of Selected Projects". UQ eSpace. University of Queensland. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  3. ↑ "Advertising". Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936). 10 September 1935. p. 9. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  4. ↑ "DVA's Nominal Rolls". nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  5. ↑ "Family Notices". Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954). 30 May 1941. p. 16. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  6. ↑ "For Better Homes". Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947). 1 September 1936. p. 18. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Bennett, Helen Margaret (2011). Interpreting the Modern: Flatland in Brisbane 1920-1941 Living in Multiple-Occupancy Dwellings in Interwar Brisbane (Griffith thesis thesis). Griffith University.
  8. ↑ "Bellevue Court | Heritage Places". heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  9. ↑ "Mathers' House | Heritage Places". heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  10. ↑ "MODERN TREND FOLLOWED". Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954). 8 February 1938. p. 18. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  11. ↑ "Cupboards give place". Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954). 18 February 1950. p. 7. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  12. ↑ "Big building plan started". Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1926 - 1954). 13 June 1948. p. 3. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  13. 1 2 "Vitaly Gzell | Modernist Australia". Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  14. ↑ "7 Herbert Street, Toowong | Heritage Places". heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  15. ↑ "Mawby residence". qldarch.net. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  16. ↑ Macarthur, John, van der Plaat, Deborah, Gosseye, Janina and Wilson, Andrew (2015). Hot modernism: Queensland architecture 1945-1975. Artifice. p. 141. ISBN 9781908967589.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Kings Beach - sunshinecoastplaces". www.sunshinecoastplaces.com.au. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  18. ↑ "Family Notices". Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954). 31 October 1938. p. 10. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  19. ↑ "Vitaly Gzell Architectural drawings - Fryer Manuscripts". manuscripts.library.uq.edu.au. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
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