1a Balwyn Road
1a Balwyn Road and 2 Boronia Street CANTERBURY, BOROONDARA CITY
Balwyn Road Residential Precinct
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Statement of Significance
Significance of Individual Property
One of several buildings within the precinct constructed post WWII which is representative of a lesser phase of development. This lesser phase of development extends to the end of the 20th century. The style of the intact church is indicative of the Post-WWII approach to ecclesiastical architecture with its simplified Modernist detailing.
Residents of the precinct were among the founding members, and the site has been in use by the Baptist Church since 1891.
HO264 Balwyn Road Residential Precinct, Canterbury
Reference - Balwyn Road Residential Precinct, Canterbury: Stage 2 Heritage Precinct Review (August 2006)
The Balwyn Road Residential Precinct is of historic significance because the pattern of development reflects that of Boroondara generally. In much of Boroondara one or two periods might be represented in any one precinct, however in the Balwyn Road Residential Precinct all periods are nearly equally represented. As such, the precinct is a microcosm of the broad sweep of development across the City. The relative consistency in the allotment width and/or size across the different phases of development serves to unify the precinct.
There are historical associations with several eminent families (Danks, Goldings, Marfleets, McAlpins, etc). Of further interest is the profile that some residents have had at a broader level (either State, national or international) and the manifold connections between various residents within the precinct and the City of Boroondara.
The Balwyn Road Residential Precinct is of aesthetic significance for the many high quality buildings, some of which are of individual significance at the broader level, and others that are generally good examples of their architectural style. The buildings are remarkably intact to their period of construction and have been well maintained. There has been limited change of building stock. A high proportion of the buildings have been architect designed. Although there are a range of styles evident, there is a consistency in scale and setbacks.
The extensive and well maintained landscaping both to the street (with trees and wide reservations) and the private gardens provides a level of cohesion. One of the gardens (no. 17) is a rare example of a late nineteenth century intact suburban garden. In addition, some of the early road and paving infrastructure is intact.
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1a Balwyn Road - Physical Description 1
The church is located at the north-east end of the site. It is a brick building, with the form reflecting the plan such that it is clearly recognisable as a church, consisting of aisles either side of the nave with clerestory lighting. The detailing however is indicative of a common approach to ecclesiastical architecture during the Post-War period that is designing in a simplified Modernist version of a traditional church idiom.
There is a lack of applied surface decoration however the building has been articulated in the structural materials, for example the deep ribbing to the crown (with an inner grille of crosses) and the simplified flèche on the tower, and the accentuated mullions of the clerestory and aisle windows. The pointed Gothic arch forms have been reduced to a shallow inverted V for the roofing to the aisles. The large window to the south elevation has stained glass panels.
There are two tennis courts to the corner of the site with en-tous-cas surface. The fences have metal framing and wiring. Because of the slope, there is also a stone retaining wall to the southern end.
Heritage Study and Grading
Boroondara - Balwyn Road Residential Heritage Study Review
Author: RBA Architects & Conservation Consultants
Year: 2006
Grading: DBoroondara - Camberwell Conservation Study
Author: Graeme Butler
Year: 1991
Grading:
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CANTERBURY MANSIONSVictorian Heritage Register H0869
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EYRE COURTVictorian Heritage Register H0817
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CULLYMONTVictorian Heritage Register H0811
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