Dr Piper's Residence

The former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace, Geelong West, has significance as a rare local and predominantly intact example of a substantial eclectic interwar Bungalow style. It was designed by the local architect, Harold C. Trigg in 1926, and has a direct affinity with his earlier design of 'White Lodge', 21 Virginia Street, Newtown, built in 1924 for Thomas Buchan, partner of the architectural firm of Laird and Buchan. These designs were inspired by an eclectic range of stylistic influences, including the Federation era work of the Laird and Buchan practice, such as J.P.H. Baxter's residence at 39 The Esplanade, Drumcondra, built in 1914-15. The house at 240 Latrobe Terrace was built for Dr James Piper (1884-1949), a local medical practitioner, who contributed much to the health and well-being of local residents as medical officer to the Geelong West Town Council during the interwar period. He was influential in advocating for street tree planting schemes and the creation of parks in Geelong West (and in neighbouring suburbs) to provide for healthy spaces. Piper's other contributions to the community included being Honorary Pathologist at the Geelong Hospital in 1914-16 and President of the Geelong Football Club between 1923 and 1926. The former residence appears to be in good condition when viewed from the street.

The former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D.2, E.1). It demonstrates original and locally-unusual design qualities of an eclectic interwar Bungalow style. The composition of two storey hipped roof forms, having wide eaves and a projecting central verandah and balcony supported by Tuscan columns and face brick piers, has a direct affinity with 'White Lodge', 21 Virginia Street, Newtown, designed by the same architect, Harold Trigg, although the origins of the composition has its roots in the Federation era work of the Laird and Buchan architectural practice. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the rear single storey hipped roofed wings, face brick and rendered wall construction, terra cotta tile roof cladding, face brick chimneys with elongated pots, broad eaves, projecting flat-roofed faceted bay window to the north, round-arched ground floor window openings, bank of timber framed box windows (with projecting hood) to the south, rendered parapeted side entrance (fronting Villamanta Street) with round-arched opening supported by vestigial pilasters and with a projecting flat-roofed hood, timber framed double hung window floor windows and the skillion dormer in the rear wing.

The former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A.4, H.1). It is associated with Dr James Ernest Piper (1884-1949), original owner between 1926 until his death in 1949. Piper was a local medical practitioner, being the Honorary Pathologist at the Geelong Hospital between 1914 and 1916. It was especially his role as the medical officer to the Geelong West Town Council where he contributed much to improving local community life, including campaigning for the planting of street trees and the creation of parks to provide for healthier living to prevent the spread of disease. His role as medical officer appears to have influenced the Geelong West Town Council in the establishment of Baker's Oval (off Shannon Avenue) and Sparrow Park (corner of Hope and Elizabeth Streets). As medical officer for the Shire of Corio, Piper advocated for similar healthy improvements in the suburbs neighbouring Geelong West. Piper also contributed to community life as a long-serving Churchwarden and Vestryman of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Latrobe Terrace, and as President of the Geelong Football Club between 1923 and 1926 (where he had also served as the Club's medical officer). The associations with the local architect, Harold Trigg, also contribute to the historical significance of the dwelling. Piper's residence represents one of a small number of substantial interwar dwellings designed by Trigg in the Geelong area in the 1920s.

Overall, the former residence at 240 Latrobe Terrace, Geelong West, is of LOCAL significance.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residence