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DESBROWE ANNEAR HOUSE

Location 38 THE EYRIE EAGLEMONT, BANYULE CITY File Number 13/007501 Level Registered

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Statement of Significance

What is Significant?
Harold Desbrowe Annear was one of Australia's leading and most innovative Arts and Crafts architects of the early twentieth century. The house at 38 The Eyrie, Eaglemont, designed for himself and his wife Florence, is highly representative of the architect's work during this period, and is possibly his most inventive. 38 The Eyrie is part of an important group of three houses at this location, all designed by Annear. Of the three houses, this one demonstrates the greatest attention to detail and contains a space in the downstairs area that was used as Annear's studio.

Annear moved to Eaglemont in 1901 where he was able to develop his Arts and Crafts principles through a number of commissions. The most well known of these are the three houses he built for his father-in-law James Chadwick in The Eyrie of which this is one. The Chadwick houses or Eyrie houses as they are known form a unique collection and are fine examples of the architect's work as well as highly realised expression of the architect's ideas. In these three related houseshe was able to explore variations in concepts and detailing. These houses are considered to be the best and clearest expression of Annear's Arts and Crafts designs.

38 The Eyrie is a medium sized residence built on two levels utilising the fall of the land. Built in 1903, The Annear house was built using a timber balloon frame and incorporates a number of elements for which Annear is recognized. These include characteristic window designs, built in furniture, a square corner bay window, a verandah space cum outdoor living area that Annear called a piazza, the simple use of materials, the expression of structure and a planning layout that is a clear departure from the traditional layout of compartmentalised rooms off a linking hall way toward an open plan.

38 The Eyrie contains a higher degree of attention to detail than is usually found in his houses of this period. This is demonstrated by overlaid elements of the red pine fretwork as lintel ornamentation in the internal openings and in the work of the various brass door, overmantlesand sideboard fittings.

The house exhibits an irregular though carefully realised external articulation which is the result of a design approach where the building's exterior was derived from its plan form.

How is it Significant?
38 The Eyrie is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria

Why is it Significant?
38 The Eyrie is of architectural significance as a highly intact and illustrative example of the Arts and Crafts work of Harold Desbrowe Annear.

38 The Eyrie is of architectural significance as an outstanding example of Desbrowe Annear's work showing the architects developing ideas for an Australian expression of Arts & Crafts architecture. The Annear house is of architectural significance for being part of the development of three houses in the Eyrie which are considered to be the height of this expression. 38 The Eyrie is of architectural significance as a particularly good example of a work displaying the early expressions of modern architecture in Australia.