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KADISHA

Location 206-210 HENTY STREET, CASTERTON, GLENELG SHIRE Level Recommended for Heritage Overlay

[1/1] 52876 Kadisha 210 Henty St

Statement of Significance

What is Sgnificant?
Kadisha is an unusual example of the moderne internationalist style of house, located on the south side of Henty Street, overlooking the Glenelg Valley. The house and its garden are unusual for their form, style and design, and has parallels with an urban form of house from the Middle East, Greece, Turkey and North Africa. This is perhaps due to the heritage of the owners of the house, the Betros family, who although being residents in Casterton for many years, were originally from Lebanon. The house is architect designed (architect at this stage unknown) and dates from between 1950-1955. The house and garden have been constructed to compliment each other, and use similar materials and design principles, although the hard landscape of the garden is softer than the harsh angles of the house. The building contractor was local, a Mr. Macnamara, who apparently altered the archtiect's design internally to better suit the site. The building has a very high degree of integrity and is in very good condition.

How is it Significant?
Kadisha is of architectural significance to the Glenelg Shire.

Why is it Significant?
Kadisha is of architectural significance as a startling departure from the rural Australian building tradition. In Casterton, it is one of the only mid twentieth century residences which has been architecturally designed and constructed in this style. It is also of architectural significance for its unusual use of materials, and variety of window and door openings, with open air terraces and multi storey construction. The design of the building is sophisticated and unusual when compared to other examples of Australian architecture in the town which primarily use brick, stone and timber with pitched gable roofs.