The Essendon Incinerator

Architect: Walter Burley Griffin & REICo 1929

North | N07

Building Description

The Essendon Incinerator is a building of high historical significance. It represents a moment when architecture and technology came together to solve an environmental problem for a local community. An engineer from Moonee Ponds developed a world leading technology that solved many of the problems around municipal waste. So throughout the 1930s, the people of Essendon burnt their rubbish in clean, low emissions incinerators. They captured the energy they created and did everything with it from paving their roads to sanitising the equipment for the Essendon Hospital.

The community thought an industrial building would look out of place in their leafy suburb so they commissioned the office of Walter Burley Griffin to design their Incinerator. The result is a stunning modernist building in which form follows function and the utilitarian and the aesthetic qualities marry perfectly. The building now functions as a Contemporary art gallery that pays homage to the Griffins’ legacy through an exhibition program that explores art for social change.

For the Open House weekend visitors can view the stunning exhibitions, including Ode to Marion a contemporary homage to the life and legacy of Marian Mahony the first woman to practice as an Architect in the US. Visitors can also spend time with the historical displays or join in a walking tour of the buildings.

What's On

Curator and artists talks in the exhibition spaces on Saturday at 2 pm. You can view the permanent historical display all weekend or come along to the formal opening on Sunday at 2pm. Or join a guided building tour at 11am 1pm or 3pm.

Location