PAKENHAM STATE BANK & WAR SERVICES HOMES GROUP

The houses are interwar timber bungalows built to standard SSBV designs (or variations) with similar form, materials and detailing. All are asymmetrical in plan and have hipped corrugated iron roofs (with deep eaves and visible rafters) that extend to form verandahs to one side of the projecting gabled (11, 19) or hipped (14, 17) bay. Windows are timber framed sash with multi-pane upper sashes, usually arranged in pairs or triples to the main elevations. Walls are clad in weatherboards with fibro-cement to the upper walls (11, 17, 19) or full weatherboard (14). All have at least one plain brick chimney. 11 Rogers Street appears to be a variant of SSBV Type 21 design. Here, the verandah is supported by paired Tuscan columns set on brick piers, there are double entry doors and there is timber shingling to the gable end with a small louvred vent. It has a high degree of external integrity and intactness. The houses at nos. 14, 17 and 19 are of interest because they use standard SSBV designs (or variants) specifically intended for use in country areas. A specific detail that sets these houses apart is the use of angled timber blade brackets to the verandahs. Nos. 14 and 17 use the SSBV Type 32 design. This type is distinguished by a broad hipped roof that extends to form a return verandah, while another unique feature is how the entrance is at the side of the verandah rather than facing toward the street. At no.17 the designhas been varied by extending the house by one room on the right side and deleting the verandah return. The house is relatively intact, but the chimneys have been removed. The woven wire fence at the front appears to be original or early. No.14 has the original Type 32 design, with the addition of a four sided bay window to the projecting bay. Apart the partial enclosure of the side verandah the house is relatively intact. 19 Rogers Street is an intact example of the SSBV Type 33 design. The distinguishing feature here is the half-timbering to the gable end.

Non-original alterations and additions to the houses, the front fences at nos. 14 & 5/19 and timber side and rear fences on all sites, and other buildings on the sites are not significant.

How is it significant?
The Pakenham State Bank & War Services Homes Group is of local historic and aesthetic significance to Cardinia Shire.

Why is it significant?
It is significant as an illustration of the beginnings of the growth of Pakenham beyond the historic Main Street township centre during the interwar period and also demonstrates the role played by the State Savings Bank of Victoria and the War Service Homes Commission in providing affordable housing in Victoria. The houses at nos. 14, 17 and 19 are of note as examples of the SSBV designs specifically intended for use in country areas. (Criteria A & D)

As a group the houses are distinctive for their similarity of form, materials and detailing that identify them as Bank Home designs, with subtle variations in detailing providing individuality and interest. The relatively high degree of integrity of most of the houses, which includes an original or early woven wire fence at no.17, contributes to their significance. (Criterion E)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House