WUNDERLICH/MONIER TERRACOTTA ROOF TILES COMPLEX

The clay pit at Vermont was first opened in 1925 to supply Wunderlich's Brunswick tile works. The Vermont tile works opened in 1932.

How is it significant?

The former Wunderlich terra cotta tile works is of historical and architectural significance to Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The works are historically significant for their association with the Wunderlich company, the principal importer of terra cotta roofing tiles in Australia from 1892 to the outbreak of World War I. The Wunderlich company became the largest Australian manufacturer of terra cotta roofing tiles, a material which literally changed the appearance of southern Australian suburbs, and which continued to remain popular one hundred years after its introduction. The Vermont manufacturing plant, which retains its original office building, is the largest and most intact pre-war tile works in the State. The down draught kiln is the earliest known survivor of its type.

The works are architecturally significant for their use of lattice (Belfast) timber roof trusses in the curved roof structure which housed the kilns. This roof structure, probably relocated from the Brunswick tile works, is a rare industrial roof form, and the only known extant example of this type of truss in Victoria.

Group

Manufacturing and Processing

Category

Factory/ Plant