Dr Piper's Residence
240 Latrobe Terrace, GEELONG WEST VIC 3218 - Property No 202386
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Statement of Significance
C Citation - Local Significance
The former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace, Geelong West, has significance as a rare local and predominantly intact example of a substantial eclectic interwar Bungalow style. It was designed by the local architect, Harold C. Trigg in 1926, and has a direct affinity with his earlier design of 'White Lodge', 21 Virginia Street, Newtown, built in 1924 for Thomas Buchan, partner of the architectural firm of Laird and Buchan. These designs were inspired by an eclectic range of stylistic influences, including the Federation era work of the Laird and Buchan practice, such as J.P.H. Baxter's residence at 39 The Esplanade, Drumcondra, built in 1914-15. The house at 240 Latrobe Terrace was built for Dr James Piper (1884-1949), a local medical practitioner, who contributed much to the health and well-being of local residents as medical officer to the Geelong West Town Council during the interwar period. He was influential in advocating for street tree planting schemes and the creation of parks in Geelong West (and in neighbouring suburbs) to provide for healthy spaces. Piper's other contributions to the community included being Honorary Pathologist at the Geelong Hospital in 1914-16 and President of the Geelong Football Club between 1923 and 1926. The former residence appears to be in good condition when viewed from the street.
The former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D.2, E.1). It demonstrates original and locally-unusual design qualities of an eclectic interwar Bungalow style. The composition of two storey hipped roof forms, having wide eaves and a projecting central verandah and balcony supported by Tuscan columns and face brick piers, has a direct affinity with 'White Lodge', 21 Virginia Street, Newtown, designed by the same architect, Harold Trigg, although the origins of the composition has its roots in the Federation era work of the Laird and Buchan architectural practice. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the rear single storey hipped roofed wings, face brick and rendered wall construction, terra cotta tile roof cladding, face brick chimneys with elongated pots, broad eaves, projecting flat-roofed faceted bay window to the north, round-arched ground floor window openings, bank of timber framed box windows (with projecting hood) to the south, rendered parapeted side entrance (fronting Villamanta Street) with round-arched opening supported by vestigial pilasters and with a projecting flat-roofed hood, timber framed double hung window floor windows and the skillion dormer in the rear wing.
The former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A.4, H.1). It is associated with Dr James Ernest Piper (1884-1949), original owner between 1926 until his death in 1949. Piper was a local medical practitioner, being the Honorary Pathologist at the Geelong Hospital between 1914 and 1916. It was especially his role as the medical officer to the Geelong West Town Council where he contributed much to improving local community life, including campaigning for the planting of street trees and the creation of parks to provide for healthier living to prevent the spread of disease. His role as medical officer appears to have influenced the Geelong West Town Council in the establishment of Baker's Oval (off Shannon Avenue) and Sparrow Park (corner of Hope and Elizabeth Streets). As medical officer for the Shire of Corio, Piper advocated for similar healthy improvements in the suburbs neighbouring Geelong West. Piper also contributed to community life as a long-serving Churchwarden and Vestryman of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Latrobe Terrace, and as President of the Geelong Football Club between 1923 and 1926 (where he had also served as the Club's medical officer). The associations with the local architect, Harold Trigg, also contribute to the historical significance of the dwelling. Piper's residence represents one of a small number of substantial interwar dwellings designed by Trigg in the Geelong area in the 1920s.
Overall, the former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace, Geelong West, is of LOCAL significance.
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Dr Piper's Residence - Physical Description 1
Description
The former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace, Geelong West, is set on an average-sized allotment for properties fronting this part of Latrobe Terrace. Situated at the north-west corner of Latrobe Terrace and Villamanta Street, the front yard is dominated by a mature tree. The front is also characterised by perimeter garden beds, mature shrubbery and grassed areas. There is no front fence. On the southern boundary fronting Villamanta Street is a well-manicured hedge and high rendered wall. The original rear yard has been converted into a concrete-paved car park, although there are some perimeter shrubbery and hedging.
The two storey, face brick, interwar Bungalow styled dwelling is characterised by a broad hipped roof form that traverses the site, together with a central two storey verandah and balcony that project towards the front. At the rear are single storey hipped roofed wings. All of these roof forms are clad in terra cotta tiles. Elongated face brick chimneys with decorative geometric tops and terra cotta pots adorn the roofline. Broad overhangs are features of the eaves.
An early feature of the design is the projecting front verandah portico. It is supported by uninterrupted face brick piers and centrally-located rendered single storey Tuscan columns above which is a vestigial entablature, face brick first floor piers and wide square first floor columns. The balcony has introduced lightweight panelling and glazed infill. The main entrance is situated under the projecting verandah and has an early glazed door and sidelights. Flanking the central portico are round-arched window openings while on the north facade is a projected flat-roofed faceted bay window. On the ground floor on the south facade is a round-arched opening with introduced window and an early timber framed boxed window arranged in a bank of three with a flat-roofed hood above. The first floor windows to the two storey wing are timber framed and double hung.The rear single storey wing of the dwelling may have originally served as Dr Piper's consulting rooms. A rendered and parapeted entrance porch adjoins the rear wall of the main dwelling, and is characterised by vestigial pilasters supporting a blind round-arched opening punctuated by a keystone. Within the blind arch is a rendered shield. From the springing of the arch is an early bracketed flat-roofed hood. The single storey wing has timber framed double hung and hopper sash windows, with a bank of three windows facing Villamanta Street.
Other early features of the design include the rendered upper wall banding under the eaves of the whole dwelling, rendered stringcourse that separates the ground and first floor levels, and the skillion dormer on the rear wing, all of which appear to have been inspired by Federation-era construction.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Geelong - Ashby Heritage Review
Author: D Rowe and W Jacobs
Year: 2010
Grading:
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FORMER GEELONG WOOL EXCHANGEVictorian Heritage Register H0622
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GEELONG TOWN HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0184
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IRON STOREVictorian Heritage Register H0742
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