WAINGAWA
29 Denbigh Road ARMADALE, STONNINGTON CITY
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Federation house known as Waingawa, 29 Denbigh Road, Armadale, a single-storey dwelling built in 1908 for architect Ernest H Willis.
Elements that contribute to the significance of the place include (but are not limited to):
. The house's original external form, materials and detailing
. The house's high level of integrity to its original design.
Later alterations and additions, such as additions at the rear, rear outbuildings and attached side carport, are not significant.
How is it significant?
Waingawa, 29 Denbigh Road, Armadale, is of local architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the City of Stonnington.
Why is it significant?
Waingawa, 29 Denbigh Road, Armadale, is a fine and highly intact example of a Federation house. The house strongly reflects the Federation Queen Anne architectural style popular in the first decade of the twentieth century in Armadale and across Melbourne more broadly. The unusually symmetrical composition, with complex roof forms including central dormer and two engaged turrets, and architectural elements and materials, including tall chimneys, half-timbering with rough cast render, timber verandah detailing, polygonal bays and decorative coloured glass, are typical of the style. The use of quality materials and elaborate detailing imparts a sense of grandeur and demonstrates the status of the owner in wealthy established areas such as Armadale in the early twentieth century (Criterion D).
Waingawa, 29 Denbigh Road, Armadale, is a carefully designed and well-resolved example of a Federation house. The complex roof form with central dormer and engaged turrets and tall chimneys, rich timber decoration, extensive use of coloured and leadlight glass, present a picturesque composition of this architectural style (Criterion E).
Waingawa, 29 Denbigh Road, Armadale, has a strong association with architect and local councillor, Ernest Willis, as both his home and presumably as an example of his work. Willis designed a number of local landmark buildings, including the Prahran Club, Windsor (HO416), Prahran Mechanics' Institute, Prahran (HO53 and VHR H0400), Prahran Creche, Prahran (HO420) and the early flats, Fawkner Mansions, Prahran (HO448). He was also very involved in community organisations and local politics, including as a Prahran City Councillor (1908-20) and Mayor in 1913-14 and 1918-19 (Criterion H).
-
-
WAINGAWA - Physical Description 1
The dwelling at 29 Denbigh Road is a substantial attic style dwelling, with a small setback from the street and an established garden. In terms of both form and detail, the dwelling is characteristic of the Federation Queen Anne style and exhibits many high-quality features. Constructed in 1908, the dwelling remains in good condition.
The house has a unique, symmetrical roof plan, with gable projections on three sides and a central attic gable on the front facade flanked by two engaged blind turrets (see Figure 3). Two red brick chimneys with brick strapwork and corbelling, and single terracotta chimney pots remain. The walls are constructed in red brick with remnant black tuckpointing around the main entrance, and the roof is of Marseille tiles with decorative trefoil ridge tiles and both fleur-de-lis and fern finials. Rafter tails are exposed at the eaves, and the main roof continues at a shallow pitch to form the return verandah, which is supported on turned timber posts with ornate Art Nouveau brackets and a simple balustrade timber frieze. The verandah floor is original encaustic tiles, with bluestone edging. The central attic gable is finished in roughcast render (overpainted), with a bank of four casement windows with diamond-pane leadlight glazing. Secondary gables project to the north and south, with roughcast render (overpainted) and vertical timber strapwork to the gable ends. Windows are casements with leaded diaper work and coloured stained glass highlights. The windows on the east elevation feature bluestone sills, with raked brick sills common on the south elevation. The front entrance to the dwelling is recessed behind a substantial round archway flanked by engaged columns with dentilated cushion style capitals, and decorative rendered arch (overpainted). The original front door set is two panelled with stained glass glazing with symmetrical sidelights and fanlight (see Figure 4).
The site is bounded by a modern post and panel timber fence constructed in 1989. One mature oak tree, that appears to be a good specimen, is located in the main frontage. A driveway runs along the southern boundary to a modern carport towards the rear, constructed in 1996. Behind the main dwelling, is a large modern L shaped extension that runs the full width of the dwelling and several modern outbuildings.
Integrity
The house retains a high degree of integrity to the Federation Queen Anne style, in fabric, form and detail. While the house has undergone some alterations and additions, these do not diminish the ability to understand and appreciate the place as a fine example of a Federation house.
Heritage Study and Grading
Stonnington - City of Stonnington Federation Houses Study
Author: GJM Heritage Pty Ltd
Year: 2017
Grading: Local
-
-
-
-
-
ARMADALE PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1640
-
ARMADALE HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0637
-
TRAM VERANDAH SHELTERVictorian Heritage Register H0175
-
"1890"Yarra City
-
"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
-
"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
-
'Aqua Profonda' sign wall sign, Fitzroy Swimming PoolYarra City H1687
-
'DRIFFVILLE'Boroondara City
-
1) WEATHERBOARD FARM HOUSE AND 2) THE OUTBUILDINGSNillumbik Shire
-
-