Residence

The house at 106 Nicholas Street, Newtown, has significance as a substantial and predominantly intact example of an interwar Arts and Crafts Bungalow style. Built in 1932-33 for Jonas and Jessie Swithenbank, the residence is also a distinguished interwar era example of the work of the prolific Geelong architectural firm of Laird and Buchan. The dwelling appears to be in good condition when viewed from the street.

The house at 106 Nicholas Street is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D.2, E.1). It demonstrates original design qualities of an interwar Arts and Crafts Bungalow style and is a distinguished example of the work of the Geelong architects, Laird and Buchan. These qualities include the two broad gable roof forms that project towards the front, together with the attic gable and skillion that project at the sides. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the asymmetrical composition, elevated single storey height, timber weatherboard wall cladding with a face brick base, terra cotta tile roof cladding, brick chimneys, broad eaves with exposed timber rafters, projecting flat-roofed faceted bay windows supported by timber brackets, timber framed double hung windows, attic windows, vertical timber battening and rendered panelling in the gable ends, emphasising paired timber posts in the front verandah opening, brick piers supporting the side porch and balcony and the main entrance opening

The residence at 106 Nicholas Street, is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A.4, H.1). It is associated with the development of substantial residences in Newtown in the early century. Built in 1932-33 for Jonas Swithenbank, wool buyer, and his wife, Jessie, the house also has associations with the prolific local architectural firm of laird and Buchan.

Overall, the residence at 106 Nicholas Street is of LOCAL significance.

External Paint Controls: No

Internal Alteration Controls: No

Tree Controls: No

Outbuildings and/or Fences: No

To the extent of the whole site.

Opportunities are available to remove the introduced glazing in the front verandah and to reinstate the timber brackets to the verandah posts using the original drawings as a guide.

City of Newtown and Chilwell Rate Books 1860-1950, digital copies on CD, Geelong Heritage Centre.

Geelong Waterworks & Sewerage Trust Plan of Drainage N4576, c.1932. Source: Barwon Water.

Laird & Buchan, Day Book, May - August 1932, p.53, Geelong Heritage Centre.

Laird & Buchan, Original Drawings of J.F. & J. Swithenbank residence, Geelong Heritage Centre.

Sands & McDougall's Directory, 1938 & 1950.

A. Perry, 'Carlyon', Conservation Analysis Report, Deakin University, 1991.

M. Ambrose, 'Percy Baxter Residence', Conservation Analysis Report, Deakin University, 1990.

Aitken, Honman & Huddle, 'City of Geelong West Urban Conservation Study', vol.2, prepared for the City of Geelong West, 1986.

D. Rowe, 'Architecture of Geelong 1860-1900', B. Arch Thesis, Deakin University, 1991.

M. Page, An Architectural Apex, Buchan Laird International Pty Ltd, South Yarra, 1990.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House