Arthur Purnell

[2] His father and grandfather were partners in Purnell & Sons, builders, and Arthur joined the firm as a draftsman in 1895, then took further studies under C. A. Heyward, a government architect.

The former British and French concession Shamian Island (then known as Shameen) however is completely intact, and hosts a number of designs by the firm, as well as alterations such as extra floors.

[3] All of the designs were generally in the Far East British Colonial form known as 'compradoric', featuring multi-level verandahs supported on solid pillars or arches, with Italianate or Edwardian Baroque detailing.

One of his designs outside Shamian to survive is the South China Cement Factory built in 1909, which was later used by Chinese Nationalist leader Sun Yat-sen as his home and headquarters from 1917 to 1923, and is now a museum.

His own house of 1916 (demolished)[8] was an early example of the Bungalow style, with exaggerated verandah piers and projecting chimney pots with a slightly Oriental character,[9] which he named Shameen in a clear reference to this time in China.

[12] His most well-known Chinese-influenced design, and possibly the best known of all his works, is his own house, located on a busy city artery, at 492 Punt Road, South Yarra.

[citation needed] In 1930 he became an early adopter of the new Art Deco style; his office and showroom for Cyclone Wire in Hardware Street completed in September 1930 was amongst the first projects in Melbourne to sport the new geometric decoration.

[21] As well as a great number of private residences in a multitude of styles, works produced during this time include a wide range of commercial projects, many now demolished: Purnell returned briefly to Melbourne in 1908 to marry Jane (aka Ginnie) Farrell.