Merledon

Merledon, at 16 Beaconsfield Road Hawthorn East, a Federation house built in 1913-14 by Scotch College master Walter Briggs and his wife Jeannie Briggs is significant. 

16 Beaconsfield Road, Hawthorn East is of local historic, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Boroondara.

16 Beaconsfield Road, Hawthorn East built 1913-14 on the subdivision created from Mornane’s Paddock has an association with Scotch College Hawthorn through its original owner and educator Walter Briggs. As music master, and later headmaster of other Scotch colleges at Warwick, Queensland and Launceston Tasmania, Briggs and his family built Merledon, living there until their departure in 1920. (Criterion A) 

 

16 Beaconsfield Road, Hawthorn East built 1913-14, is representative of the translation of high style Federation residential architecture to a more modest market. Its qualities are those of representative form and design but with a high degree of decorative detail complemented by a high integrity. As an example of the Federation style in residential architecture, it is one of a minority of examples of the period and style within Boroondara that are of timber construction. 16 Beaconsfield Road, Hawthorn East is a highly representative and well detailed Federation house within a smaller cohort of timber houses built in Boroondara. (Criterion D)

 

16 Beaconsfield Road, Hawthorn East is aesthetically significant for its terra cotta roof form of central hip with intersected by two gable projections and three elegant chimneys. Additional decorative features include the use of weatherboards below sill level and a rendered finish above, these materials repeated in the gables with timber strapping. Particular features include the front and side porches framed by elegant curved timber friezes, one of which forms a Chinese-style ‘moon-gate’ connecting with the matching timber balustrade. The verandah posts, fascia boards and curved eaves brackets contribute to the highly decorative qualities of this house. The house is enhanced by leaded glass windows and original window joinery details to the main windows. (Criterion E)