VISION 43
CONTENTS
THE BLOCK 2017
Since bursting onto the television scene in 2003,
The Block has reigned supreme in the television ratings
game. Its latest 2017 series set in Melbourne’s leafy,
upmarket Elsternwick has proven another triumph for the
Nine Network with almost two million viewers on opening
night and a cult following other networks dream about.
The Block’s ‘formula’ for such a runaway success has
been imitated but never bettered. And the producers
Julian Cress and David Barbour keep fine-tuning
their property selection and designs that are always
aspirational for their audience.
With Viridian as long-term sponsor and, more recently,
CSR, the program has been able to showcase an array of
new technologies and materials for better, more efficient
housing. With unique challenges, contestants are called
upon to play their part and bring materials and products
to life that hopefully prove irresistible come auction day.
Viridian’s high performance glass – LightBridge™ –
has been instrumental in transforming often dark,
difficult spaces into show-stoppers. With its high
daylight-transmission and energy management
values, the product has proven a brilliant partner
for contestants in their quest for comfortable
interiors that link effortlessly with the outside.
Design Architect of The Block since its inception,
Sydney-based Julian Brenchley has been responsible
for site selection and the over-arching architectural
integration of each series. Brenchley is also the material
man connecting sponsors and seeing contestants’
dreams finally realised. He has played a guiding hand
in this role for the past 14 years, with the emergence
of an Australian style more loft and warehouse than
quarter-acre brick veneer.
CLICK TO HEAR
JULIAN BRENCHLEY
IN CONVERSATION