Former Shire Engineer's Residence

What is Significant?

The former Shire Engineer's Residence at 8 Rennie Street, Lara, has significance as a predominantly intact and outstanding local example of the Federation style, having been designed in 1911 by the Geelong architectural firm of Laird and Buchan. The fabric that contributes to the significance of the dwelling includes the single storey height and asymmetrical composition, horizontal timber weatherboard wall cladding, main hipped roof form at the front and the projecting minor gables at the front and side, recessive side projecting hipped wing, rear gabled wing and the return verandah formed under the main roof. Particular distinctive early details include the splayed corner window bay with a bank of timber framed casement windows and highlights, timber framed double hung windows, face brick and render chimneys, timber shingling in the gable ends, stepped northern gable end, curved timber gable brackets and the bracketed window hood above the windows on the northern gable. The paired timber verandah posts and curved solid timber verandah valances are particularly distinctive significant features. The dwelling served as the Shire Engineer's residence between 1911 and the 1940s, when it was purchased by the Victoria Police Department. The property was then the location of the local police station and residence until the construction of a new station building in 1963, although the dwelling continued to serve as a police residence in subsequent years. The dwelling is in fair condition when viewed from the street.

How is it Significant?

The former Shire Engineer's Residence at 8 Rennie Street, Lara, is historically and architecturally significant at a LOCAL level.

Why is it Significant?

The former Shire Engineer's Residence at 8 Rennie Street is historically significant for its associations with the Corio Shire Council and its engineer (and secretary) between 1911 and the 1940s (Criteria A & H). The first Shire Engineer to occupy the dwelling was H.G. Oliver (1911-1934). The residence also has historical value as the local police station and residence from the 1940s until the late 20th century. The residence is further associated with the prolific architectural firm of Laird and Buchan who designed a large number of timber dwellings during the Federation era in the Geelong region.

The former Shire Engineer's Residence at 8 Rennie Street is architecturally significant as a predominantly intact and outstanding example of the Federation style in Lara (Criteria D & E). It demonstrates several original design qualities reflective of the work of the Geelong architects, Laird and Buchan, and it is distinguished for this reason. The dwelling is also one of a small number of predominantly intact Federation styled houses in the Lara area.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residence