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House
Location31 Studley Park Road KEW, BOROONDARA CITY LevelIncl in HO area indiv sig |
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The residence at 31 Studley Park Road, Kew built in 1936-37 for Michael Chamberlin from designs by Harry John James, is significant to the City of Boroondara.
How is it significant?
The residence is of architectural, aesthetic and associative significance to the City of Boroondara.
Why is it significant?
31 Studley Park Road is a fine and highly intact example of an interwar domestic residence in the Free Classical style. The dwelling is a representative example of the classical idioms developed during the interwar period for owners that had the means to adopt emerging styles and thus create a home that reflected their social status. Features were applied sparingly and with effect for its location on a prominent thoroughfare of Boroondara. (Criterion D)
The details of square pilasters, motifs within the gable and feature entrance with rounded opening, pediment and ziggurat-like parapet combine successfully to display the variety of the Free Classical style, uniquely applied to a single-storey dwelling. Its setting is enhanced by the retention of the original garage. (Criterion E)
The residence is significant as the home of Sir Michael Chamberlin, businessman, Catholic layman and a valued member of the Kew community. In his early life, he joined the Public Works Department, was seconded to the State War Council during World War I, before moving to the Department of Public Health. Chamberlin served as director and chairman of the National Trustees, Executors & Agency Co. of Australasia Ltd and a member and sometime chairman of St Vincent's Hospital advisory committee, where a lecture theatre is named is his honour. As a leader and advocate for education he was appointed to the founding council of Monash University and kept an interest in Mannix College, where the library is named in his honour. He was knighted in 1964 and was later appointed Knight in the Order of Pius in recognition for his work with the Catholic Church. (Criterion H)
Group
Residential buildings (private)
Category
Residence