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Mardegan House
Location5 Fairway Drive KEW EAST, BOROONDARA CITY LevelIncl in HO area indiv sig |
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The Mardegan House and its grounds at 5 Fairway Drive, Kew East are significant. The house, built in 1966, was designed by eminent émigré architect Tadeusz Karasinski.
How is it significant?
The Mardegan House is of local historical, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Boroondara.
Why is it significant?
The Mardegan House (1966) is of historical significance as it is representative of an established pattern of architect-designed houses that responds to difficult sites, establishing the City of Boroondara as one of the foremost testing grounds for experimental architecture in Victoria. (Criterion A)
The Mardegan House is representative of the post-war design ethos, optimism and architectural modernisation pioneered by local and émigré proponent architects of the International Style, such as Robin Boyd, Ernest Milston and Dr Ernest Fooks. The design features honesty of structure and material, clean lines and an overall sense of innovation in design characteristic of this period, which is demonstrated in detail such as the cantilevered masonry structures and suspended footbridge. (Criterion E)
The house is a largely original design, one of the few identified examples, by an émigré architect with extensive European experience prior to migrating to Australia; comparable examples being limited to the prominent architects Dr Ernest Fooks and Ernest Milston. Prior to migrating to Melbourne in 1948, Tadeusz Karasinski held the positions of senior architect and department director in Polish local government, for which he was awarded the Silver Order for Distinguished Service by the Polish Government in 1938. (Criterion H)
Group
Residential buildings (private)
Category
Residence