Jury citation
The jury was impressed by the outstanding restoration and refurbishment of Coriyule, one of Victoria’s most important and earliest architect-designed homesteads. The project is the result of the architect’s and clients’ comprehensive and painstaking research and detailed technical investigation over more than seven years. The rare 1848 Tudor Gothic style residence designed by colonial architect Charles Laing includes distinctive, locally sourced stone and diamond panel patterned casement windows, which, unusually, use cast iron instead of lead for housing the glass. It is believed this was a strategy to protect Coriyule’s owner, Scottish heiress Anne Drysdale, and her companion Caroline Newcomb from local marauders. Restoring Coriyule required exemplary effort to source replacement stone and timbers from around Australia, as well as, where required, replication of the original Morewood and Rogers galvanized roof tiles. All exterior walls were repointed using a lime mortar coloured with local sand and soil to match the original and finished to the same detail. The house has been brought back to its former life as a country house. All the interior spaces are legible without age or patina being lost. Complementing this preservation strategy are low-key, sympathetic insertions of contemporary bathrooms, kitchen and laundry. At all times, these defer to the greater interest and significance of the original house. Coriyule’s conservation restores, improves and celebrates one of Victoria’s earliest and finest homesteads. The careful and methodical approach adopted for the works has ensured adherence to best conservation practice, retaining all aspects of cultural significance connected to the place.
Credits
- Project
- Coriyule
- Architect
- Trethowan Architecture
Richmond, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
- Project Team
- Bryce Raworth, Bruce Trethowan (directors); Carolynne Baker (heritage consultant); Anthony Mussen (consultant architect); Robert Ashby (project architect)
- Architect
- Bryce Raworth
Melbourne, Vic, Australia
- Consultants
-
Arborist
Let's Talk About Trees
Builder R & E Hogan Builders
Construction team Barwon Stone, Cathedral Stone (stone conservators); Willem Snoek (timber conservator); Matthew Michie (floor and furniture restoration); Ron Williams (painting and wallpaper); Mulholland Restoration & Decorating (painters); David Barry (carpenter), Craig Trewin (plumber); Hi-Tech Stainless Fabrications (roof tile fabricator); Aquatherm (hydronic heating); P G Smith Electrical (electrician); Paul Hallett (monumental mason); TechRest (roof plumber)
Decorative schemes (historic) Artcare
Forensic engineer David Beauchamp
- Site Details
- Project Details
-
Status
Built
Type Heritage
Source
Award
Published online: 5 Nov 2015
Words:
National Architecture Awards Jury 2015
Images:
Hin LIm
Issue
Architecture Australia, November 2015