Maratala

‘Maratala’, originally known as ‘Farnham’, at 130 Sladen Street, Cranbourne, is significant.

Significant elements of the place are:

·       The exterior of the c1930 residence

·       The interior of the dwelling to the extent of the T-shaped entrance hall, living room and dining room (both on the west side of the dwelling)

·       The Camphor Laurel tree located on the Sladen Street boundary

 

Elements which contribute to the significance of the place include:

·       The rear extension to the dwelling

·       The c1930s gabled timber garage

·       The c1950s concrete driveway with rolled edges

 

The shed at the south boundary is not of heritage significance.

‘Maratala’ at 130 Sladen Street, Cranbourne is of local aesthetic and associative significance to the City of Casey.

‘Maratala’ at 130 Sladen Street is of aesthetic significance as it comprises, by far, the most substantial and finely designed Californian Bungalow identified within the City of Casey and one of the most intact interwar houses overall. The house is a highly intact internally and externally and architecturally successful example of the Californian Bungalow. Custom designed for its first owner by architect A C Leith, ‘Maratala’ is an excellent example of the Californian Bungalow style, with a strong Japanese influence, evident in its roof massing, massive brick porch piers, its elegant detailing, and range of construction materials. The interiors are of a similar high quality to the exterior and are an excellent intact example of a typical Interwar interior associated with a fine architect designed residence of this calibre. The interiors include high quality timber joinery with the original varnish finish in the form of panelling, window and surrounds, skirtings, picture rails and custom built cabinetry to the living room and hallway, as well as margin glazed doors to the main rooms and the original fibrous plaster ceilings in the delicate classical Adamesque style. The custom- designed form and quality of external and internal finishes is exceptional, even in comparison to larger examples of interwar dwellings within the municipality. Its presentation is enhanced by the retention of a colour scheme typical of Californian Bungalows, particularly the black painted finish to the weatherboards and timber shingle cladding. The Camphor Laurel planted on the Sladen Street boundary is of aesthetic  
significance for its height and multi-stemmed spreading form and as the largest known example of the species within the municipality. Along with the front garden, typical of the mid twentieth century, it provides an appropriate setting for the residence. (Criterion E)

Maratala is of associative significance with the Leith company as the shire’s consulting engineer from 1927 to 1957, as the Shire’s architects in the 1950s, and architects of the 1948 work to the Cranbourne Shire Hall and new council offices in 1978. (Criterion G)