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Vaughan Griffin House

Location 52 Darebin Street,, HEIDELBERG VIC 3084 - Property No B3817 File Number B3817 Level State

[1/1] B3817 Vaughan Griffin House

Statement of Significance

What is significant? How is it significant? Why is it significant?
The Vaughan Griffin House, designed by renowned architect Walter Burley Griffin (no relation) in c.1922 is of architectural and historical importance at the State level.
The house is important as a substantially intact and rare example of a work by Walter Burley Griffin, one of Australia's most original and fascinating architects. The house is an excellent example of both Griffin's knitlock system and his domestic oeuvre and it remains one of the most resolved examples of his knitlock work. The intactness of the house is important for its ability to describe Griffin's intention to provide inexpensive architecture for the (average man).. The knitlock blocks were inexpensive to manufacture, required no additional materials such as paint or plaster, and allowed flexibility in design form and plan.
The house is also important for its intact and original fibrous plaster light fittings in the lounge room and for incorporating a studio as part of the design. The building's position in the centre of the block articulates Griffin's regard for the relationship between the building and the landscape, which is enhanced by the low stone retaining wall at the front of the property.
Historically, the house is important for being the home of noted war artist Murray Vaughan Griffin between 1922 and 1939.
Classified: 16/07/1998