REDCOURT
134 Wattle Valley Road CAMBERWELL, BOROONDARA CITY
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
'Redcourt', 134 Wattle Valley Road, Camberwell, and its setting including the front and side garden is significant. The house was built c.1908-09 for the Bucknill Family of Camberwell.
How is it significant?
134 Wattle Valley Road is of local historical, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Boroondara.
Why is it significant?
Historically, 'Redcourt', dated 1908-09, reflects the early twentieth Century development of the City of Boroondara. The late nineteenth Century subdivisions, which in this case laid out Wattle Valley Road, shaped the suburb of Camberwell. The large corner lot is set next to more regular twentieth century subdivision patterns, which in combination exemplifies the transition from semi-rural to a suburban setting. (Criterion A)
Architecturally, 'Redcourt' is a relatively intact example of a single storey timber Federation villa, displaying the typical features of this type, such as the asymmetrical form with multiple gables and bays, a complex roof form, the deep verandah with turned timber posts, and a variation of decorative timber details. (Criterion D)
Aesthetically, the house is a picturesque example of a timber Federation villa. At a time when brick was preferred, the house is particularly substantial in size compared to other timber houses of the same era, which tend to be more modest than their brick counterparts. The multiple gables are ornately decorated with a combination of materials, half timbered, scalloped shingles, and roughcast. The asymmetrical form highlighted by the irregular fenestration and variety of timber detailing. The roof, clad with Marseilles pattern terra cotta roof tiles, is adorned with terra cotta ridge cresting and finials, adding to the elaborate expression of the Federation style. (Criterion E)
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REDCOURT - Physical Description 1
Description & Integrity
'Redcourt', 134 Wattle Valley Road, is a single storey, asymmetrical Federation Villa, dating from c.1908-09. The original lot was subdivided in 1957, reducing the side set back to create Wiringa Avenue. However, the front setback facing Wattle Valley Road is intact, with examples of mature trees. The garden is defined by a modest contemporary timber picket fence.
The villa has two sections with two separate entrances, one facing Wattle Valley road, and a smaller entrance facing Wiringa Avenue to the north. The timber fence separates the two sections of the house. The MMBW plan from 1927 reveals a similar layout, with a fence separating the sections. The asymmetrical composition addresses its corner siting and double entrances; however, the principal facade is to the west with a secondary elevation to the north. The exterior is weatherboard, with a roughcast frieze. The gable ends are also roughcast, featuring a combination of half timbered and scalloped shingle details. The gabled roof is clad with Marseilles pattern terra cotta tiles, with terra cotta ridge cresting and finials. The chimneys are red brick, corbelled, with a rendered cap.
The fenestration is irregular, and includes a rectangular bay window, transoms and sidelights flanking a side entrance on the north elevation, as well as casement windows grouped in three or four. All windows have timber frames; some retain their original rectangular pattern leadlight. Some of the windows have timber awnings supported by timber brackets. Both the verandahs are intact and feature thick timber verandah fretwork, sturdy arches and turned timber posts. The verandahs are, typical of the era, deep and prominent in design, being an integral part of the house. The terra cotta tiled roof extends above the verandahs, flaring slightly. The verandah facing Wattle Valley Road returns down the north side. The asymmetrical design is enhanced by multiple overlapping gables.
At the south west corner sits an early flat roof extension, from the late 1920s or early 1930s. A more recent 2014 extension replaced what is believed to have been the 1937 sunroom. The 2014 extension consists of a gabled roof, weatherboard cladding, and a rendered and half timbered gable end to match the original details. The extension also features glass doors, larger in size than the original windows.
The level of intactness is generally high, the earlier extension at the south west corner complements the original dwelling in detailing and material. The 2014 extension is equally sympathetic in its use of materials. The house is a picturesque example of the informal and asymmetrical Federation design, with typical timber detailing.
Heritage Study and Grading
Boroondara - Municipal-Wide Heritage Gap Study: Vol. 2 Camberwell
Author: Context
Year: 2018
Grading: Local
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