KNIGHT'S GARAGE (FORMER)
46-48 BAIR STREET, LEONGATHA, SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE
Leongatha Interwar Commercial
-
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 former Knight's Garage constructed in 1932 and 1954 at 46-48 Bair Street, Leongatha. It is single storey inter-war and post-war motor garage, which comprises the 1932 building setback from the footpath at No.48 and the 1954 set forward at No.46. The facade of both buildings is quite intact and a feature of the 1932 building is the central slightly arched parapet with raised letters 'KNIGHTS GARAGE' above a large segmental arched opening. Internally, the 1932 building is notable for the use of Belfast trusses and this indicates a potential link to the architect I.G. Anderson who used identical roof trusses on the Brunswick Market, which he designed and was constructed at the same time.
Why is it significant?
The former Knight's Garage is of historic, aesthetic and technical significance to the State of Victoria and South Gippsland Shire.
Historically, it is significant as a locally rare example of an early motor garage that demonstrates the popularisation of travel by motor car and the increasing role and importance of motor vehicles to rural areas. It also has significance for its connection with the architect, I.G. Anderson, designer of some of the most innovative commercial buildings of the interwar period, including the Brunswick Market and the former Geelong Markets and the former Avon Butter Factory, 218 Nicholson Street Fitzroy.(AHC criteria - A.4, D.2 & H.1)
Aesthetically, it is significant example of a motor garage and motor sales outlet designed to express the high values placed on the new and modern form of transport. It is a notable part of the historic interwar character of Bair Street. (AHC criterion - E.1)
Technically, it is important as an example of the use of timber Belfast trusses, a form of bow string truss, with the chords separated by a lattice of timber struts. (AHC criterion - F.1)
-
-
KNIGHT'S GARAGE (FORMER) - Physical Description 1
The former Knight's Garage at 46-48 Bair Street, Leongatha is a single storey interwar motor sales and repair garage that comprises the original garage setback from the footpath at No. 48 and an adjacent later addition set forward at No. 46. Internally, the original building at No. 48 is notable for the use of Belfast trusses that span the width of the site between side brick walls. Externally, the front facade of the original garage is set back from the street frontage and is composed in three parapet sections divided by large brick piers capped with rendered spheres. The central element has a slightly arched parapet with raised letters "KNIGHT'S GARAGE" above a large segmental arched opening with a projecting hood mould supported on Tuscan columns at either side. The arch is filled with multi-pane glazing in metal frames above what probably was the original vehicular entry (now with a battered shopfront). Original leadlight glazing fills the pair of segmentally arched windows to the north, while the south third of the elevation has been altered to provide a roller shutter door. The other significant alteration is the placement of a recent metal canopy in front of the central arch.
Other notable elements include:- The rendered parapet with capping moulds above the arch springing line.
- Projecting side walls to the forecourt in matching design.
- The addition at No 46 using a continuous parapet but employing tapestry bricks to the vehicular entry and shopfront piers. This building is narrower and is spanned by conventional steel trusses.
The showrooms are contained behind the front elevation with false decorated plaster ceilings below the bottom chords of the trusses.The Belfast trusses in ?bays, span ?m and are formed with a segmental upper and straight lower chords of laminated softwood wafering the lattice of diagonal struts which separate the two. The struts are extended beyond the top chord to support the close spaced longitudinal purlins which carry the corrugated iron roof. Skylights light the interior.
Knights Garage is the largest and most architecturally resolved of the garages erected throughout the Shire during the interwar and postwar period. The only other interwar garages of any note are the three erected on behalf of Wilkinson and Sibley at Foster, Toora and Welshpool (see separate citations)
Heritage Study and Grading
South Gippsland - South Gippsland Heritage Study
Author: David Helms with Trevor Westmore
Year: 2004
Grading:
-
-
-
-
-
LEONGATHA SECONDARY COLLEGEVictorian Heritage Register H0949
-
ELIZABETH HOUSESouth Gippsland Shire
-
SHOPSSouth Gippsland Shire
-
"1890"Yarra City
-
"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
-
"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
-
1) ST. ANDREWS HOTEL AND 2) CANARY ISLAND PALM TREENillumbik Shire
-
-