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Thurla

Location 1 Avalon Road,, ARMADALE VIC 3143 - Property No B4449 File Number B4449 Level State

[1/1] B4449 Thurla 1 Avalon Rd

Statement of Significance

Thurla is of State architectural significance as a house virtually intact to its original condition and retaining its original garden setting. The house was designed by the important domestic architect Walter Butler, of Inskip & Butler, for his accountant brother Richard Butler in 1903. Acquired by Ernest Ricardo in 1904, it remained in the possession of the family until June 1992.
Thurla exhibits externally traditional elements such as rough cast stucco, red face brickwork, a tiled roof and half timbering, which all derive from medieval domestic construction in Northern Europe. These are, however, combined in a free manner with deliberate asymmetrical devices such as hooded triangular plan window bays and Art Nouveau inspired cast cement detailing to constitute the Edwardian Freestyle. Internally, lacquered joinery, polished floors, sympathetically coloured wallpapers and a notable arboreal frieze above the dining room picture rail provide a period atmosphere.
The garden also posesses much of its early planting presumed to be designed by Butler. The unusually high brick and concrete boundary fence with flying buttresses was designed by architect, Arthur Peck.
Classified: 03/03/1983
Revised: 18/11/1992