Pilkington Australia Factory and No 1 Furnace

The significant parts of the Pilkington complex at North Geelong are the 1936 and 1945 sections only, particularly the three dimensional appearance of the exterior of the building and facades of the Melbourne and Mackey Roads. The interior has been greatly altered and has low significance. The No. I furnace is significant but may be moved to a new site if necessary. Recommendation: A conservation management plan is recommended for this site.

The Pilkington complex on the Melbourne Road at North Geelong is aesthetically significant at a STATE level. It demonstrates an early use of original design qualities of the interwar Functionalist style in Australia. These qualities on the original 1936 south and west elevations and 1945 architectural extension to the facade, include the large white painted brick wall planes broken into three horizontally oriented sections, behind which the flat roof is not visible behind the plain brick parapet. Between the brickwork is a fenestration of extensive metal framed glass windows. The curved reveals of the doorways and curved short columns between the windows on the first floor are integral to the design. The off-centre entrance with a transparent glass stairwell formed with metal window frames and cantilevered staircase is particularly important. Other intact qualities include the sparse use of plain but bright blue tiles.

The Pilkington complex on the Melbourne Road at North Geelong is historically significant at a STATE level. It is associated with the development of the British based company in Australia, as a major contributor of employment and economic development on a national scale. The complex has associations with the important Geelong firm of architects, Laird and Buchan, who were established in 1890 by Angus Laird and influenced the built environment in Geelong for one hundred years. The firm, now called the Buchan Group, has clients and offices Australia wide. The son of Angus Laird, Ewen, was responsible for bringing his firm and Geelong into the realm of the modern movement after his study and working tour of Europe and the USA in the depression.

The Pilkington complex on the Melbourne Road at North Geelong is socially significant at a REGIONAL level. It his recognised and valued by the Geelong community as a major employer and as a substantial industrial manufacturer.

The No.I Furnace is scientifically significant on a STATE level as an illustration of an outstanding technical achievement in the manufacture of glass in the State of Victoria.

Overall, the Pilkington complex at 307 Melbourne Road at North Geelong is of STATE significance.

REFERENCES

1. Shire of Corio Rate Books

2. Sands & McDougall's Directory of Victoria

3. Wynd, So Fine A Country: A History of the Shire of Corio, p.103-5

4. Land Sales & Subdivisional Maps, G.H.R.C.

5. Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust records.

6. Eric Vigar, 'North Geelong Memories', Investigator, Dec 1988, p155

7. Ruth Hill, ' St. Helen's Through the Years' Investigator, Sept, 1987 p98

8. Lynch, 'History of Pilkington Brothers (Australia) Pty Lt Geelong Pla.

9. Laird & Buchan Drawings, G.H.R.C.

10. Interview: Lorraine Huddle with Ewen Laird, 1990.

11. Plaque on the machine inside the Pilkington plant.

Group

Manufacturing and Processing

Category

Factory/ Plant