Winner of RVIA Street Architecture Medal 1940 Designed by

ArchitectEdward Billson and built by T R & L Cookram between 1936

and 1939,the Sanitarium Health Food company Factory and "Signs of

theTimes" Printing Works complex is a skilful assembly of

contrastinggeometric, brick-clad forms and an early example of the small

group ofnon-residential buildings which successfully emulate European

Modernarchitecture (particularly Dudok) and hence create a precedent

forAustralian post-war commercial and industrial architecture. By

itsunusually remote location and use, it expresses the Adventist

Church;this rural location being a distinguishing aspect among the

otherbuildings which had previously received the RVIA's Architecture

Medal.Classification includes additions and alterations made up until c.

1985by the architect. (NT, 4918)

The Warburton buildings are important early examples of

modernarchitecture in Victoria influenced by the contemporary European

models.in particular they draw heavily on the personal style of Dutch

architectW.M. Dudok which had in turn developed through the influence of

the destijl movement and the work of Walter gropius. There are

obviouslyparallels between the three storey east end of the Sanitarium

healthfood company building and the fagus works designed by gropius in

1911.The Sanitarium health food co. building was distinguished in 1940

whenit won the 1940 royal victorian institute of architects

streetarchitecture award, the first awarded to a building outside

themetropolitan area. The buildings and their rural setting reflects

thehealth and fitness philosophy of the seventh day adventist

churchproviding an insight into the historical importance of the

church'smissionary work and its role in the development of the

Australian healthfood industry. (VHR, 619)