KADISHA
206-210 HENTY STREET, CASTERTON, GLENELG SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
Kadisha is an unusual example of the moderne internationalist style of house, located on the south side of Henty Street, overlooking the Glenelg Valley. The house and its garden are unusual for their form, style and design, and has parallels with an urban form of house from the Middle East, Greece, Turkey and North Africa. This is perhaps due to the heritage of the owners of the house, the Betros family, who although being residents in Casterton for many years, were originally from Lebanon. The house is architect designed (architect at this stage unknown) and dates from between 1950-1955. The house and garden have been constructed to compliment each other, and use similar materials and design principles, although the hard landscape of the garden is softer than the harsh angles of the house. The building contractor was local, a Mr. Macnamara, who apparently altered the archtiect's design internally to better suit the site. The building has a very high degree of integrity and is in very good condition.
How is it Significant?
Kadisha is of architectural significance to the Glenelg Shire.
Why is it Significant?
Kadisha is of architectural significance as a startling departure from the rural Australian building tradition. In Casterton, it is one of the only mid twentieth century residences which has been architecturally designed and constructed in this style. It is also of architectural significance for its unusual use of materials, and variety of window and door openings, with open air terraces and multi storey construction. The design of the building is sophisticated and unusual when compared to other examples of Australian architecture in the town which primarily use brick, stone and timber with pitched gable roofs.
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KADISHA - Usage/Former Usage
Residence
KADISHA - Physical Description 1
Kadisha is a most unusual house in an Australian rural context. Its form and materials have parallels with an urban form of house from the Middle East, Greece, Turkey, and North Africa. The roof terrace is a typical feature of these houses, as is the multi-storey construction and smooth cement walls. The form and materials are rarely found in regional Australia where timber frames and pitched roofs are almost universal. Built of concrete block with render (*double check with Mr. Lemmey*) to resemble concrete panels, Kadisha is a startling departure from the rural Australian building tradition.
The plain concrete walls and assortment of various sized window and door openings are like some of the domestic work of Adolf Loos in Austria. As an architect designed house (architect unknown) with a flat roof, two to three storey construction, an open air terrace (now roofed over), and a vertical concrete panel dominating the composition, Kadisha is firmly in the Modern Movement or the International Style.
Changes to the house appear to be in the window design where there are some steel framed windows (*Check with Mr. Lemmey*) and some multi paned timber doors of a totally different design . The wrought iron balustrading adds a hand made aesthetic to an otherwise austere building.
The house is surrounded by a garden which compliments and enhances the house. Low walls constructed of concrete block with render (check materials with Mr. Lemmey) suround the garden in smooth lines, contrasting with the moderne formality of the house. The garden follows the natural slope of the land, and the landscaping and plants are typical of the period. Overall, it is a very complete site and illustrates the Moderne Internationalist style well.KADISHA - Physical Conditions
Very Good
KADISHA - Historical Australian Themes
2.4: Migrating
2.4.1: Migrating to save or preserve a way of life
2.4.2: Migrating to seek opportunity
2.4.5: Changing the face of rural and urban Australia through migration
3.14.1: Building to suit Australian conditions
8.10.4: Designing and building fine buildingsHeritage Study and Grading
Glenelg - Glenelg Shire Heritage Study Part One
Author: Carlotta Kellaway, David Rhodes Mandy Jean
Year: 2002
Grading:Glenelg - Glenelg Heritage Study Stage Two (a)
Author: Heritage Matters
Year: 2006
Grading:
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CASTERTON RAILWAY STATIONVictorian Heritage Register H1663
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TOWN HALLSouthern Grampians Shire
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STOCK SELLING RINGGlenelg Shire
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153 Morris Street, SunshineBrimbank City
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186-188 Smith StreetYarra City
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1ST STRATHMORE SCOUT HALL (FORMER)Moonee Valley City
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