"Corio Villa", house including interior

A Listed - State Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The prefabricated iron house, 'Corio Villa', was manufactured in Edinborough in 1855 by iron founder, Charles D Young and Co. from designs by Bell and miller, architects and engineers. William Nairn Gray, colonial land commissioner, ordered this villa but he died on the 11th June, 1854 prior to arrival of the portable house shipment.

Alfred Douglas, merchant, acquired and erected the villa in 1856. "Corio Villa' is of a paramount international significance to the history of industrial technology and aesthetic movement in the 19th c in Great Britain.

RECOMMENDATIONS: PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Geelong Regional Commission Register

Historic Buildings Council Register

REFERENCES

Robertson, E G. - 'Corio Villa: Victoria in Australian Council of National Trusts, Historic Houses of Australia, Cassell, Melbourne 2974 - pp 154-159.

Robertson E G & Joan - Cast Iron Decoration: A world Survey, Thames and Hudson, Melbourne, 1977 - pp 60-63, plates 344-350.

Robertson, E G - Adelaide Lace - Rigby Ltd, Melbourne, 1973 - pp 182-190

Herbert, Gilbert, Pioneer of Prefabrication: The british Contribution in the Nineteenth Century, John Hopkins, University Press, Baltimore, 1976.

National trust of Australia (Victoria), File No 1062.

Geelong Advertiser - 28th June, 1856, tender for painting and glazing.

14th January, 1967 - The Saga of Corio Villa.

The Austalia Builder and Practical Mechanic - No 26. - 28th August, 1856, Melbourne. P 208.

Further research into the history of 'Corio Villa' is to be published late in 1986 - research project Allan Willingham.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Villa