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House, 17 Iona Avenue, Toorak
17-17A Iona Avenue TOORAK, Stonnington City

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Statement of Significance

The former Banks House at 17, 17A Iona Avenue is Locally Significant architecturally and historically:

- as an externally well preserved example of the Burley Griffin school of architectural design in Australia, a highly distinctive style which derived from the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and its interpretation by Griffin and his apprentices;

- for the distinctive details and form of the design, seen in the nested roof forms, and the unusual glazing bar patterns.

- for the associations with Griffin's period in MElbourne as an era when local design standards were questioned by Griffin and his work and influence were highly publicised, particularly his role in the design of the national capital;

- for the close association with Billson who won national architectural acclaim

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    • Physical Description 1

      House, 17 Iona Avenue, Toorak - Physical Description 1

      (as assessed from the street)

      This clinker brick two-storey duplex has low-pitched nested hipped roof forms clad with terra-cotta Marseilles pattern tiles. The most distinctive elements in the design are the window joinery and window grouping, with horizontal window groups and timber chevron-pattern glazing bars. Other unusual details include the planter-box incorporated into the window sills, the flat porch roof held up on a slim pipe support, the planter boxes at the entry, and the staggered window placement at the porch.

      The present owner states that there was provision for service ducts in the house design.

      Integrity

      House, 17 Iona Avenue, Toorak - Integrity

      (as assessed from the street)

      Publicly visible external fabric is near original, along with the landscape setting. A matching southern addition appears to have been made to the east wing (17 Iona Ave), presumably allowing its conversion to a duplex in the period c1949-50. Changes were made to the front elevation at that time to allow for two entrances and, by the Modernist character shown in the new west entry canopy, probably by Billson. A further addition is thought to have been made at the rear in 1983.

      Local Historical Themes

      House, 17 Iona Avenue, Toorak - Local Historical Themes

      8.4.2 Functional, eccentric and theatrical - experimentation and innovation in architecture

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Stonnington - Conservation Review City of Prahran Volume 4: A2 Buildings

      Author: Context Pty Ltd
      Year: 1993
      Grading: A2

      Stonnington - Toorak Residential Character Study - City of Prahran

      Author: John Curtis Pty Ltd & Graeme Butler & Associates
      Year: 1991
      Grading:

Public contributions

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