Architecture

Step Inside St Kilda's Famous Crigan House With Tim Ross

Comedian and self-described design nerd Tim Ross loves 1980s Australiana.

His new one-man show, Rosso 88, is a trip down memory lane, covering his favourite cultural moments from the period including the iconic, everyday, random, and revolutionary. 

The show’s limited season kicks off soon, including performances on April 27 and 28 at the award winning St Kilda Crigan House (1989) designed by late architect Allan Powell. 

Tickets are on sale now!

Written
by
Amelia Barnes

The Crigan House (1989) by late architect Allan Powell. Photo – Shannon McGrath

The home has been recently refurbished by interior designer Edwina Glenn. Photo – Shannon McGrath

Internal stairs lead up to the main living and kitchen. Photo – Shannon McGrath

‘This house was an attempt to bring together the meanings that I found in St Kilda – it’s a kind of playful carnival type of architecture by the sea,’ explained late architect Allan Powell. Photo – Shannon McGrath

The home will play host to Comedian Tim Ross’ new one-man show, ROSSO 88. Photo – Shannon McGrath

ROSSO 88 is the latest in a series of thought provoking shows that Tim Ross has performed in architecturally significant buildings. Photo – Shannon McGrath

Photo – Shannon McGrath

Left: View from the kitchen. Right: The pergola-framed roof terrace. Photo – Shannon McGrath

External stairs lead up to the roof. Photo – Shannon McGrath

Red, black, white and yellow dominate the spaces. Photo – Shannon McGrath

Photo – Shannon McGrath

Photo – Shannon McGrath

The landscape refurbishment was completed by Kate Seddon. Photo – Shannon McGrath

Book tickets to see Tim Ross’ show now! Photo – Caroline McCredie

Writer
Amelia Barnes
17th of February 2023

It’s been 35 years since Expo 88—the mega six-month long Brisbane carnival that attracted over 15 million visitors in 1989. (Unbelievable, we know!).

Comedian Tim Ross was one of the few who missed out on the exhibition, but that hasn’t stopped him from using it as the starting point of his new one-man show, Rosso 88.

Rosso 88 is a nostalgic romp through Tim’s defining moments of Australiana. The show begins next month, and will tour significant architecturally-designed homes across the country.

‘Like a classic hits radio station, I’m plating up the best and the worst Australia had to offer from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s,’ says Tim. ‘If you’ve ever been remotely curious about the history of the Dunlop KT26, then this is definitely the show for you.’

Tickets are currently selling for the April 27th and 28th shows at the Crigan House in St Kilda, Melbourne. Architect Allan Powell designed the contemporary house in 1989, describing it as an ‘attempt to bring together the meanings that I found in St Kilda.’ 

‘It’s a kind of playful carnival type of architecture by the sea,’ Powell said. In more recent years, the home has been renovated by interior architect Edwina Glenn.

Rosso 88 is the latest in a series of shows Tim Ross has performed in architecturally-significant buildings over the past few years. His championing of the built environment—notably modernism and its protection— has propelled Australian design in popular media, winning him two National Trust Heritage awards, and the 2019 National President’s Prize from the Australian Institute of Architects.

All these accolades have us wondering, could Tim be considered a national treasure? If not just yet, he’s well on his way! 

Rosso 88 at Crigan House
Thursday April 27th, 7pm
Friday April 28th, 7pm
St Kilda, Victoria
Tickets on sale now

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